26 weeks 
pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms during week 26

Lower-back pain

If your lower back is aching lately, you can thank both your growing uterus and hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Roughly 60 percent of pregnant women have lower-back pain, which can make it hard to sleep or perform daily tasks.

Staying active with low-impact cardio may give you some relief. Try walking or swimming, as well as stretching and strength training. Self-care practices that promote relaxation (such as prenatal massage, meditation, and prenatal yoga) can also help with tension and discomfort. Above all, listen to your body. If the way you're sitting, standing, or sleeping hurts, make adjustments.

Braxton Hicks

Sometimes called "practice" contractions, Braxton Hicks are irregular uterine contractions that happen before you're actually in labor. They're often described as feeling like menstrual cramps or like your stomach is tightening. They maybe become progressively more intense as you near the end of your pregnancy.

Generally, what differentiates Braxton Hicks contractions from true contractions is that they're irregular and taper off, instead of becoming stronger. They can be uncomfortable, but aren't often painful. Dehydration, exhaustion, and even sitting or lying in a certain position can trigger Braxton Hicks. They often stop after you drink some water, rest, or change positions.

However, sometimes Braxton Hicks contractions are hard to distinguish from early labor. If you have any of the signs of preterm labor, call your provider immediately.

Headaches

In addition to your changing hormones, there are a variety of things that can cause a mild headache during pregnancy. Exhaustion, hunger, and dehydration are among the most common reasons for an aching head – though vision changes and allergies can also contribute.

Getting enough sleep, eating regularly, and staying hydrated can bring relief from pregnancy headaches. If that's not helping, check in with your doctor or midwife, who will likely give you the thumbs up to take acetaminophen to treat a headache.

Bad headaches during pregnancy could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure disorder. This condition is life-threatening for both a mom and her baby if left untreated, so call your healthcare provider immediately if you're experiencing a severe or persistent headache.

Constipation

Increased progesterone levels slow down your digestion during pregnancy, causing most expecting moms to experience constipation at some point. Lowered activity levels and your expanding uterus can also contribute to infrequent or hard bowel movements.

Constipation can be incredibly uncomfortable during pregnancy and can contribute to hemorrhoids, or swollen blood vessels around the rectum. Topical hemorrhoid treatment is typically safe for pregnant women, but check in with your provider before you try a new medication.

Prevention is the best bet for managing constipation and avoiding hemorrhoids. Stay hydrated by monitoring your water intake or setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to drink up. Eating a high-fiber diet (with plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains) and exercising regularly can relieve constipation. Taking magnesium or a non-laxative stool softener can help, too.

Stretch marks

As your baby grows, so will your belly. Your skin is stretching fast to keep up – and you may have started to notice stretch marks on your stomach, breasts, and thighs.

Stretch marks vary from person to person, and may be related to genetics. There isn't a lot that you can do to prevent stretch marks, so be wary of expensive creams that promise to banish them. One thing that can help is avoiding rapid or excessive weight gain. (Gaining more than the recommended amount of pregnancy weight, and gaining weight quickly, ups your chance of getting stretch marks.)

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