Second trimester · Week 26 of pregnancy
26 weeks pregnant: body, feeding, and care
Lungs are developing surfactant, the substance that helps air sacs stay open after birth. Eyes will open soon.
Body and care — week 26
Lungs are developing surfactant, the substance that helps air sacs stay open after birth. Eyes will open soon. Development notes on this page are general education summarized from ACOG patient-education material; they describe typical development, not your pregnancy specifically. Anatomy and growth are confirmed by your own provider and ultrasounds.
This week's checklist
- Note one body question — sleep, appetite, movement, comfort — and bring it to your next prenatal visit rather than searching it at 3 AM.
- Keep prenatal appointments on the schedule your provider sets; bring your questions list.
- Anything that worries you — bleeding, pain, reduced movement later in pregnancy — goes to your provider or urgent care first, never to a website.
Week 26 questions
What is happening at 26 weeks pregnant?
Lungs are developing surfactant, the substance that helps air sacs stay open after birth. Eyes will open soon.
Which trimester is week 26?
Week 26 falls in the second trimester (weeks 14–27). See the second trimester hub.
How is a due date calculated?
A due date is typically estimated as 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of the last menstrual period. It is an estimate — try the client-side due-date calculator; your provider's dating outranks it.
Educational information only — not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby develops on their own timeline. If you have any concern, talk to your obstetric provider or your baby's pediatrician.