The baby now weighs between 1 1/2 and 2 pounds and is approximately 9 inches long, crown to rump. He makes breathing movements, but has no air in his lungs yet. At 26 weeks fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which, according to researchers, means the optic nerve is working.
Sometime soon, you'll need to take a glucose tolerance test. You'll drink a glass of glucose water (it tastes like an intense orange soda) at your next doctor's visit. Then she'll take a sample of your blood for testing. The results will determine whether you have gestational diabetes, or excess sugar in your blood, a common ailment at this stage of pregnancy.
Your fingers, wrists and hands may be feeling achy and numb. The carpal tunnel in the wrist is swollen, as are many other tissues in your body. Nerves that run through the tunnel end up pinched, creating pressure that manifests itself as shooting or burning pain. Wearing a brace may help; so will taking vitamin B6. Talk to your midwife or doctor about other ways to cope.
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