The end period of second trimester is defined as 26 weeks pregnant, with baby growing to 15 inches in length. The pregnant woman’s fetus starts adding a little fat to his bones and development of heart continues to grow. The heart beat can be heard through a stethoscope placed on the stomach of the expecting mother. Pumping of blood in the heart begins. The lungs of baby start developing blood vessels to make him prepare for life after coming out of mother’s womb. Organ maturation takes place and baby develops good sense of touch and sound.

The baby will start jumping every now and then in the womb on hearing loud music. Some parents therefore start enjoying reading books to them at this time. Eyes development is complete and baby will enter into the field of opening and blinking of eyes. Network of nerves to ear completes and blood circulation begins in the body of baby and placenta grows almost to the size of him. The umbilical cord thickens due to filling of nutrients in it. Fingernails and toenails develop and become prominent. Baby continues to breathe in the amniotic fluid and baby boys experience more growth as their testicles begin to descend in the scrotum. Baby shows movements in the mother’s body.

In the stage of 26 weeks pregnant, owing to increasing pregnancy health the normal clothes do not fit to woman as the uterus of the woman grows to 2.5 inches above belly button and has sensations under the ribs. She feels heartburn, weight gain, cramps in the muscles. She starts feeling slight contractions in the uterus which is called as Braxton-Hicks Contractions. Woman should, therefore, need to relax more. She should engage herself in light works and regularly do walking and stretching, as this will prepare the body for labor and birth.