The baby's size is comparable to that of an acorn squash.

As you approach the end of your second trimester, it’s natural to have questions and concerns about your pregnancy. You might be wondering about the signs of labor or when your baby will arrive. Whatever your feelings may be, understanding what’s happening to your body and your growing baby can help you prepare for week 25 and beyond. 

“You can add yoga or meditation into your routine to prepare for the last stage of pregnancy.”

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this important week, including common symptoms, necessary precautions, and medical check-ups.

Pregnancy Week 25 Quick Facts

• At 25 weeks, you’re six months and 1 week pregnant
• You have 15 weeks until your due time “Calculate Your Due Date”
• You’re in your second trimester

Your Unborn Baby’s Size at 25 Weeks

Grow, baby, grow!!!!!!

At 25 weeks pregnant, your developing baby continues to grow rapidly. They are now approximately 13.62 inches long and weigh around 1.46 pounds, which is similar in size to an acorn squash. It’s amazing to think about how much your baby has developed since the early weeks of pregnancy, and there’s still more growth to come. 

“Keep taking good care of yourself and your little one as they continue to thrive inside the womb.”

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 25

When you reach the 25th week of your pregnancy, your growing belly is likely to feel tight and itchy, and your body might feel like it’s being stretched thin. Even though your 25-week baby bump may look cute to others, you may not feel quite as excited.

On the other hand, you might be delighted that you resemble someone who swallowed a kickball! your feeling is completely normal. Adjusting to these changes takes time, so it’s okay if you don’t feel positive about it all the time.

Heart palpitations :

• During pregnancy, your heart pumps 50% more blood than usual and at a faster rate of approximately 15%.
• Heart palpitations are a frequent concern for pregnant women, and they may experience fluttering, pounding, racing, extra beats, or skipped beats.
• If you have a racing heart that lasts for an extended period, occurs often, or is accompanied by chest pains or shortness of breath, contact your doctor immediately.

Belly and Breast Itch:

• Around 25 weeks, up to 40% of women may experience itchiness, particularly on the belly and breasts. However, it can also occur in any part of the body. Although the exact cause is unclear, hormone fluctuations and skin dryness due to stretching may contribute to this symptom.
• As you progress in your pregnancy, it may be necessary to purchase new bras to accommodate your changing body (yet again!). During the third trimester, many expectant mothers find nursing bras to be the most comfortable option. Although you won’t be nursing right away, nursing bras are stretchy and can be worn during pregnancy.

Want to buy a bra during pregnancy?

• When purchasing a nursing bra during pregnancy, make sure to leave room for growth. It’s common to go up a cup size during late pregnancy, and after giving birth and when your milk supply increases, you may need to go up another cup size.
• To save time and money, consider purchasing just one or two bras at a time to determine what fits you best. During late pregnancy, you may require two to three bras, while three well-fitting nursing bras will suffice post-birth (to ensure you have enough to wear and wash).

What to do for healthy pregnancy?

To maintain a healthy pregnancy, it’s essential to eat well, exercise, and take your prenatal vitamins regularly. Additionally, contact your health insurance provider to learn about adding your newborn to your plan after delivery. 

Performing Kegel exercises, staying hydrated, and discussing any symptoms you experience, such as heart palpitations or a rash, with your healthcare provider are also crucial steps to take.

Prenatal Tests and Doctor’s Appointments

Typically, your next scheduled prenatal appointment will take place around 28 weeks. However, in cases of high-risk pregnancies, specialized tests may be necessary to monitor the health of both the mother and baby. These tests may include a 

• biophysical or modified biophysical profile
• contraction stress test
• Doppler of umbilical artery or fetal non-stress test (NST).

– Risk in the 25th week of pregnancy

1. UTI

Up to 13% of pregnant individuals experience urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can be asymptomatic. Common UTI symptoms include bloody

• cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Painful urination 
• Frequent urination
• The feeling of needing to urinate shortly after urinating
• Fever
• Mild uterine contractions and discomfort in the mid-back or flank on one side.

It’s important to inform your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms of a UTI. Although a UTI can be easily diagnosed and treated, an untreated infection can lead to serious pregnancy complications. To prevent UTIs from recurring, here are some measures you can take:

• Urinate when you need to
• Drink plenty of fluids regularly
• Lean forward while urinating to help empty the bladder
• Urinate after sexual activity to clear out bacteria that might have entered the urethra
• Ensure complete emptying of the bladder every time you urinate
• Wash your hands before and after using the bathroom
• Clean your perineal area thoroughly
• Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing.

Developmental Milestones

Baby skin:

• As your due date approaches, your baby will begin to develop some baby fat, and their skin will become smoother, giving them a more newborn-like appearance.

Hair:

• Your baby’s hair continues to grow, and if visible, you may notice its color and texture.

Blood cell development:

• Blood cell production in the developing baby shifts from the liver to the bone marrow around week 21, with the bone marrow becoming the primary source of blood cell production after the 24th week.

Sense of Smell: 

• At this stage of development, the baby’s sense of smell is fully functional as the olfactory receptors in their nose can now detect various odors and scents present in the amniotic fluid.

Survival Outside the Womb

As the weeks go by, the probability of surviving outside the uterus increases. Nevertheless, a baby born at 25 weeks is still considered extremely premature and will face health difficulties, necessitating specialized care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for many months. With NICU treatment, between 67% to 76% of 25-week-old infants survive.

• Sleep like a Baby
• During this time, your baby will spend most of their time sleeping, alternating between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep every 20 to 40 minutes.