At 26 weeks, your baby weighs nearly 2 pounds and measures more than 13 inches in length, with eyes now fully open, lungs continuing to develop, and movements becoming noticeably more coordinated. Mothers can expect to gain a further 16 to 22 pounds before delivery, alongside ongoing symptoms such as bloating, occasional headaches, and increased vaginal discharge driven by pregnancy hormones. Nutrition becomes especially important at this stage, and collard greens stand out as a particularly powerful choice, delivering 6 grams of fibre, 4 grams of protein, and 8% of the daily recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids per cup, along with folic acid, iron, and potassium that support foetal development and help regulate blood pressure. Their high Vitamin C content also aids iron absorption and contributes to the development of the baby's bones, teeth, and connective tissue.
- At week 26, a baby weighs almost 2 pounds and measures more than 13 inches in length.
- From week 26 onward, a pregnant woman should expect her body to gain 16 to 22 pounds until delivery.
- A single cup of collard greens provides 8% of the human daily recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Each serving of collard greens contains 6 grams of fibre, 4 grams of protein, and 517 milligrams of sodium.
- Collard greens are a source of Vitamins B1, B2, B3, A, C, and E, as well as iron, calcium, and folic acid.
- The folic acid content in collard greens is cited as useful in preventing neural tube defects in a foetus.
- Collard greens contain phytochemicals such as lutein and beta carotene, which help the body fight certain types of cancer.
Pregnancy Diary Week 26
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 26
Through this time, your body has been through a lot of significant changes. This week is another wonderful week for you and your baby. More than the undesirable symptoms of your pregnancy, your baby is experiencing major development in her body.
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 26: How Is Your Baby Growing?
With a weight of almost 2 pounds, your baby should be more than 13 inches in length. This week, your baby is getting more responsive to sounds. In fact, he may be able to hear you and your partner chatting. As the baby’s immune system becomes more developed, his movements are becoming more coordinated. The baby’s movements are getting more obvious and noticeable this week.
If you are expecting a baby boy, then the baby’s testicles have started to descend to his scrotum. The baby’s lungs continue to develop as he continues to swallow the amniotic fluid. The baby’s eyes are now fully opened and he now begins to take small breaths.
What you can expect
Beginning this week, you should expect your body to gain 16 to 22 pounds until your delivery. Pregnancy symptoms should still be expected this week. Bloating still occurs as a result of the slowing down of digestion. Due to a surge of pregnancy hormones, occasional headaches still continue to occur.
Forgetfulness, clumsiness, lower abdominal achiness and vision changes still continue to manifest this week in addition to increased vaginal discharge.
Since your baby is developing in such an impressive rate, your nutrition should be well taken into consideration. Make sure to eat healthy foods apart from getting an adequate amount of sleep and performing some little exercise regularly.
A good diet for pregnant women should be composed of healthy fruits and vegetables which are packed with a variety of essential nutrients. These nutrients play a vital role in optimising the health of your baby.
Collard Greens For Pregnancy Nutrition
Vegetables are beneficial to people of all ages. Vegetables are packed with loads of nutrients which are considered beneficial to you and to your baby. Collard greens are one of the healthiest foods to take during pregnancy.
Collard greens are one of the leading sources of omega-3 fatty acids. A cup of collard greens actually provides 8% of human’s daily recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids. According to research, the intake of omega-3 fatty acids helps in promoting healthy and optimum child development. Each serving of collard greens provides 6 grams of fibre, 4 grams of protein and 517 milligrams of sodium.
Collard greens are known for its ability to promote eye health, especially in the foetus. Also, these green leafy vegetables are excellent sources of a variety of nutrients such as Vitamins B1, B2, B3, A, C, and E. It also provides high levels of iron, protein, dietary fibre, calcium and folic acid which play vital roles in optimizing the growth and development of the foetus inside the uterus.
Anaemia is one of the most common conditions during pregnancy. One of the best natural treatments for anaemia during pregnancy is collard greens. It is best to take foods rich in Vitamin C when eating iron-rich foods as Vitamin C helps in promoting iron absorption. On the other hand, avoid taking calcium-rich foods or calcium supplements with iron-rich foods as this nutrient can reduce iron absorption.
These leafy vegetables are also rich in Vitamin B12 and magnesium which are beneficial in getting a healthy baby later on. Its folic acid content is also useful in preventing the onset of neural tube defects in a foetus. This vegetable is also rich in phytochemicals such as lutein and beta carotene which help the body fight against certain types of cancer.
As mentioned earlier, collard greens are great sources of dietary fibre. This nutrient is beneficial in preventing the onset of constipation and haemorrhoids which are very common during pregnancy. Also, its Vitamin C content helps the baby to develop stronger teeth and bones. Also, Vitamin C helps in sustaining an adequate amount of collagen on the baby’s connective tissues. Meanwhile, its potassium content is useful in regulating the level of blood pressure which is a major risk factor for pre-eclampsia.
Pregnancy Diary Week 26
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DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
How big is a baby at 26 weeks pregnant?
At 26 weeks, a baby weighs almost 2 pounds and should be more than 13 inches in length. Movements are becoming more coordinated and noticeably stronger at this stage.
What is happening with a baby's development at week 26?
At week 26, the baby's eyes are fully opened and it begins taking small breaths while continuing to swallow amniotic fluid to help the lungs develop. The baby can hear sounds, including the voices of its parents, and if the baby is a boy, the testicles have started to descend into the scrotum.
How much weight should you expect to gain from week 26 until delivery?
From week 26 onwards, a pregnant woman should expect her body to gain 16 to 22 pounds until delivery.
What pregnancy symptoms are common at 26 weeks?
At 26 weeks, common symptoms include bloating, occasional headaches, forgetfulness, clumsiness, lower abdominal achiness, vision changes, and increased vaginal discharge. These symptoms are driven by slowing digestion and a surge of pregnancy hormones.
Why are collard greens recommended during pregnancy?
Collard greens are rich in iron, folic acid, calcium, dietary fibre, and vitamins including B1, B2, B3, A, C, and E, all of which support foetal growth and development. Their folic acid content helps prevent neural tube defects, while their fibre content helps prevent constipation and haemorrhoids, which are common during pregnancy.
How much omega-3, fibre, and protein does a serving of collard greens provide?
A cup of collard greens provides 8% of the daily recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which supports healthy child development. Each serving also provides 6 grams of fibre, 4 grams of protein, and 517 milligrams of sodium.
Can collard greens help with anaemia during pregnancy?
Collard greens are considered one of the best natural food-based options for addressing anaemia during pregnancy due to their high iron content. It is recommended to eat them alongside Vitamin C-rich foods to enhance iron absorption, while avoiding calcium-rich foods or supplements at the same time, as calcium can reduce iron absorption.
What nutrients in collard greens support a baby's bones and teeth?
The Vitamin C content in collard greens helps a baby develop stronger teeth and bones and also helps maintain adequate collagen in the baby's connective tissues. Collard greens also provide calcium, which further supports skeletal development.