26 weeks pregnant
Little lungs are getting ready.
In short
At 26 weeks your baby is about the size of a head of lettuce, around 35.1 cm long and 902 g. Little lungs are getting ready.
- Second trimester, week 26 of about 40.
- Your partner can come to all your antenatal classes and is entitled to paid time off work for the last 2 classes before the birth.
Turn your baby round in 3D every week in the free Lullagram pregnancy section
Your baby's lungs are making surfactant, a substance that will help the air sacs open and close when breathing. The brain, lungs and digestive system are all in place and still maturing.
How big is my baby at 26 weeks?
At 26 weeks your baby is about the size of a head of lettuce, around 35.1 cm long and 902 g. Before about 14 weeks babies are measured from crown to rump; after that the figure is head to heel. These are typical figures from fetal growth charts. Your own baby may be bigger or smaller, and your scans are what count.
What is my baby doing at 26 weeks?
- Your baby's lungs are making surfactant, a substance that will help the air sacs open and close when breathing.
- The brain, lungs and digestive system are all in place and still maturing.
- Your baby is very active, with lots going on inside your bump.
What changes for me at 26 weeks pregnant?
- You may feel more forgetful than usual, which some people call pregnancy brain.
- Vivid dreams about your baby are common.
- Leg cramps at night may be more frequent.
What is a good tip for this week?
Keep a notebook or a list on your phone for appointments and to-dos while your memory is playing tricks.
What can a partner do this week?
Ask about joining the antenatal classes, as partners can go to all of them.
What should I know in Ireland at 26 weeks?
- Your partner can come to all your antenatal classes and is entitled to paid time off work for the last 2 classes before the birth.
- If you're an employee, you're entitled to paid time off for one set of antenatal classes, apart from the last 3 classes in the set.
When to get help: If your baby's movements slow down, change or stop, contact your maternity unit straight away and don't wait until tomorrow. HSE: when to get help.
Want these updates on your phone? The Lullagram app has a free pregnancy section with this week-by-week guide, Irish dates worked out from your due date, a contraction timer and more. When your baby arrives, the baby tracker is ready in the same app.
Guides for your pregnancy: pregnancy care in Ireland · maternity leave and benefit · hospital bag checklist · popular baby names · free IVF in Ireland · due date calculator
Sources and guidance
This page is written to be consistent with the official guidance below. It is general information for parents in Ireland, not medical advice. Links checked 23 September 2026.
Great app that has everything. great especially around the new born phase where you need to record and keep an eye on everything for doctors/nurses and your own self assurance. Quick action buttons help and although I haven't yet posted on it, the community section is brilliant for help and reassurance that I'm doing things right and that certain things that happen are normal and nothing to worry about.