You're almost in the third trimester! While your baby is rapidly developing, you might be experiencing backaches, constipation, and haemorrhoids. Pregnancy symptoms are quite bearable at 25 weeks pregnant, so don't worry, you got this, mum!
25 Weeks Pregnant in Months
25 weeks pregnant is how many months?
At 25 weeks pregnant, you are in your sixth month of pregnancy. With just a few more weeks to go until the third trimester begins, your baby is growing rapidly and developing important skills and features. As you reach this exciting stage, your pregnancy journey is well underway, and you're getting closer to meeting your little one.
Remember, every pregnancy is unique, so it's important to track your progress with the guidance of your healthcare provider.
Pregnancy Week 25: Baby
You just turned 25 weeks pregnant and now you're wondering what to expect next. You have no idea what to expect during this week. Or, maybe you know there are some changes coming but you can't really put a finger on it. Well look no more, here's our pregnancy guide for what to expect at 25 weeks pregnant.
Baby’s Growth
This week your baby is now about the size of an eggplant. Their height will range from about 34.7cm to 36.3cm and they will roughly weigh between 672g to 749g.
Your little one might have a full head of hair—though it's very fine—and their eyelids are starting to cover their eyes. Their lungs are developing and their brain is growing fast, too. They can also swallow and breathe at this point, though their lungs aren't yet developed enough for them to breathe on their own yet.
The baby's internal organs are starting to form, including the intestines, and liver. The placenta is fully formed and working well at this point in your pregnancy.
Your baby's skin is covered with a thin layer of lanugo hair—it will shed as your baby grows older.
They’re starting to produce hormones that will help them survive outside the womb!
But don't worry if you're not feeling pregnant yet—the majority of women don't feel any symptoms until they reach 28 or even 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Baby's Development
Is the baby fully developed at 25 weeks?
At 25 weeks of pregnancy, while your baby has made incredible strides in development, they are not fully developed yet. Their organs, including the lungs and brain, continue to mature as they prepare for life outside the womb.
While the chances of survival have improved significantly compared to earlier weeks, it's important to note that babies born at 25 weeks are considered extremely premature and might require specialized medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:
- Your baby's movements will become routine. They will play for a bit and then rest to recover.
- Your little one is also able to hear and distinguish your voice by now. They may even respond to it when they are awake.
- Their skin is now turning pink because they are forming small blood vessels called capillaries under the skin, and these are filling up with blood.
- Your baby is also growing more hair on their head and body.
- In true baby form, they are spending most of their time sleeping, cycling between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep every 20 to 40 minutes.
- They will go through their first bowel movement this week, but it will not come out until after they are born.
Baby’s Hearing
During pregnancy at week 25, in the womb, your baby has been listening to your heartbeat and the sounds you make. Now is the time for your baby to start developing her own sense of hearing.
The tiny bones in your baby's middle ear are starting to form, as well as parts of her inner ear. These parts help send sound messages to your baby's brain.
Baby’s Teeth
In week 25 of pregnancy, as your baby's mouth forms, it starts to produce tooth buds—tiny bumps on the jaw that will eventually become teeth. These buds are covered by thin membranes that protect them.
You probably don't feel them yet, but they're there. That's because babies' teeth aren't fully formed until around the third trimester of pregnancy, but they start forming during week 25.
Different babies develop their teeth at different times—some are born with one or two teeth and others wait until they're six months old before going through their first tooth eruption.
Baby’s Movement
Many women may feel their baby move as early as 16 weeks, but more often it's the 25th week of pregnancy that brings those first flutters and jabs. The movements are deliberate, though your baby may not always be trying to tell you something—it could just be practice.
If you notice different kinds of movement (like rolling or kicking), it could mean that your baby is ready for the world and wants to get moving!
If you haven't felt any movement yet and are worried, don't be! The majority of babies start moving around at this time. If you're concerned, we recommend talking with your doctor or midwife so they can help reassure you and make sure everything is okay.
What is the position of the baby at 25 weeks pregnant?
At 25 weeks of pregnancy, your baby's position is becoming more significant as they continue to grow and develop. At this stage, many babies are still moving frequently and may not have settled into a specific position yet.
However, it's not uncommon for babies to start shifting into a head-down position in preparation for birth. This position, known as the "vertex" or "cephalic" position, is favourable for a smoother delivery.
25 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
This week, you may be feeling a little more tired than usual. That's because your body is working hard to make sure your baby continues to grow. There's still a lot going on in your body, and this week is all about finding out what's going on in there. Here are some things to look out for from week 25 on:
25 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
The third trimester begins at week 25 of pregnancy, which means the honeymoon period that was the second trimester is now over. As your baby grows, it may already start taking a toll on your body. A small price to pay if you focus on the thought that your baby is getting stronger and getting ready to come out soon.
Here are some of the pregnancy symptoms you may experience this week:
- Your bump, which now looks like a soccer ball, may cause lower back pain.
- You are experiencing other body aches such as hip and leg pain. The ligaments around your pelvic area are also starting to relax, causing some pelvic pain during pregnancy.
- You may feel itchy veins in the rectum. It happens because the bigger uterus is pushing down and increasing blood flow in that area, leading to haemorrhoids, one of the unwanted side effects of pregnancy.
- You may feel constipated at week 25 of pregnancy. Irregular bowel movements can cause piles, so increase your fluid intake and drink enough water.
- You might be tired of hearing people telling you to rest while you can since it seems impossible lately. Your growing belly may get in the way of finding a safe and comfortable sleeping position, adding to that the urge to pee and the stress of thinking about childbirth. While pregnancy insomnia can be challenging, there are ways to help you sleep better.
Maternal Weight Gain
Now that you're 25 weeks pregnant, it's time to start thinking about how much weight you'll gain during your pregnancy.
Maternal weight gain during pregnancy is one of those things that's hard to think about, but you should. We're not talking about gaining a lot of weight—we're talking about gaining the right amount of weight.
The average weight gain for a woman who is 25 weeks pregnant is about 1.5 pounds per week—but this number can vary based on your body type and other factors. Your doctor will make recommendations based on your overall health and the health of your baby.
Nutrition
As you enter the third trimester, you may notice that you are feeling more tired. You may also be experiencing heartburn and difficulty sleeping. While this can be frustrating, these symptoms are normal and should not last long once your baby is born. In fact, some of these symptoms may actually be helpful for breastfeeding in the future.
The most important thing for you to do now is to make sure that you are eating well and staying hydrated. Your body will need additional nutrients as it prepares for delivery and nursing. It is also important to get enough rest so that you can remain strong for your upcoming birth experience.
One of the best ways to ensure good nutrition during pregnancy is by eating well-balanced meals every day, including fruits, vegetables, grains and protein sources such as eggs or dairy products (if tolerated).
Your doctor may recommend taking an iron supplement if your blood tests show low levels at this stage so that your baby gets enough iron in utero before birth, when they will start absorbing it directly from breast milk or formula instead (this usually happens around 6 months old).
If you have any questions regarding specific dietary needs during pregnancy please contact a dietitian who specialises in pre-and postnatal care.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist For Week 25 of Pregnancy
- Keep body aches at bay by walking and performing Kegel exercises. Yoga and step aerobics are worth trying as well.
- Here is what to watch out for in this week-by-week pregnancy guide: if you gained weight rapidly or feel bloated due to gas and acidity during the second trimester, visit the doctor immediately.
- Have you finalised or even thought about where to give birth? It's time to zero in on which maternity hospital you'll be doing it, or if you entertained the idea of a home birth.
- Set up an antenatal appointment. Your doctor or the midwife will measure the size of your uterus, measure your blood pressure, and take a urine sample to test for gestational diabetes and lack of proteins in the body.
- As your due date draws nearer, it's best to be extra cautious of some symptoms that indicate a problem. Call your doctor without delay if you are experiencing intense itching, a serious headache, rapid weight gain, sudden swelling, painful urination, strange vaginal discharge, a fever, and shortness of breath.
Your next week: 26 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 24 weeks pregnant
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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