Pregnancy Week 25

What does my baby look like?

Your baby is now about the size of a large potato.

Your baby is quite active during this stage. A loud noise can startle them and may prompt a sudden kick that you can feel. From time to time, you might also notice rhythmic, hiccup-like movements.

Around this time, your baby's skin gradually takes on a pinker tone. This isn't from overheating, but rather from the growing network of tiny capillaries forming beneath the skin and filling with blood.

Your baby now urinates into the amniotic fluid. This fluid acts as a protective cushion around your baby and helps keep the temperature inside the uterus steady.

Lung development

During these weeks, more blood vessels develop in your baby's lungs. This helps prepare the lungs a little more for that first breath after birth. Even so, the lungs are still not fully mature at this stage.

The lungs have started producing a substance called surfactant, which helps them expand with air after birth. Still, they haven't yet matured enough to move oxygen into the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide efficiently.

Your baby's nose starts to work

This week, it's not just the lungs but the nose too that begins to come into play. Your baby practices breathing-like movements.

Since there is no air inside the uterus, your baby is actually “breathing” amniotic fluid. But these movements are an important rehearsal for the breathing pattern they'll need after birth.

During these weeks, your baby may also start becoming more sensitive to certain scent cues. This development becomes more pronounced in the third trimester.

Around this time, when you gently touch or rest your hand on your belly, your baby may sometimes respond with a movement. In the coming weeks, this sensory interaction can become even more noticeable.

What's happening in my body?

Around this time, you may notice mild swelling in your face, hands, and feet.

This is often due to fluid retention and can be harmless. Even so, it's important to mention it to your doctor, because a serious condition called preeclampsia, which can appear in the second half of pregnancy, may also show up with swelling. Preeclampsia can sometimes develop after birth as well.

Indigestion and heartburn

During these weeks, you may feel more bloated after eating, burp more often, or feel full more quickly than usual.

After eating or drinking, you might experience:

• a burning feeling in the chest
• bloating
• nausea

These complaints are usually linked to indigestion and heartburn. As your growing uterus leaves less room for your stomach, your digestive system can be affected more easily.

These may help:

• eating smaller meals
• cutting back on heavy, very fatty, and very spicy foods
• limiting caffeinated drinks
• sitting upright while you eat
• staying away from alcohol and smoking

Can my belly button pop out?

As the third trimester approaches, your once inward belly button may look more prominent or even pop outward. This change is usually temporary and typically returns to normal after birth.

Kicks to the ribs

During these weeks, your baby's movements can feel stronger. Sometimes kicks to your ribs can be uncomfortable.

Changes in your hair

Your hair may look fuller and shinier than usual. This is because hormonal changes keep hair that would normally shed in place for longer. After birth, this hair shedding can become noticeable again.

Pelvic girdle pain (SPD)

SPD, also known as symphysis pubis dysfunction or pelvic girdle pain, can begin during this stage. As the ligaments loosen in preparation for birth, you may develop pain and limited movement in the pelvic area. If you have this kind of pain, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider.

These may help:

• avoiding movements that make the pain worse
• resting more often
• not standing for long periods
• considering a pelvic support belt

Itchy skin

As your growing breasts and belly stretch the skin, this can lead to itching. Mild itching is common.

These may bring relief:

• an oatmeal bath
• using a moisturizer
• wearing soft, loose clothing

If the itching is severe or comes with a rash, you should let your doctor know. This can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem such as cholestasis.

Sleep and circulation

Sleep can also get harder during these weeks. A growing belly, pressure on your bladder, and frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom can interrupt your sleep. Relaxation exercises, guided imagery, and building a more comfortable sleep routine can help.

Your circulatory system also works much harder during pregnancy. Your blood volume rises, your heart rate speeds up, and you may feel dizzy when you stand up suddenly. That's why it's important to move slowly and stay well hydrated.

If you feel you need support

It's normal to feel a need for financial, emotional, or social support during this time. It's important to share how you're feeling with people you trust and to ask for professional support when you need it.

Symptoms you might notice this week

Symptoms you might notice this week include:

• fatigue and trouble sleeping
• stretch marks
• swollen and bleeding gums
• pain along the sides of your belly from the expanding uterus, known as round ligament pain
• hemorrhoids
• back pain
• nosebleeds
• indigestion and heartburn
• bloating and constipation
• leg cramps
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urinary tract infections
• vaginal infections
• darkening skin or brown patches on the face; this is called chloasma or the mask of pregnancy
• oilier, more breakout-prone skin
• thicker, shinier hair

You may also have symptoms carried over from earlier weeks:

• mood swings
• morning sickness
• food cravings
• a heightened sense of smell
• sore or leaking breasts
• milky white vaginal discharge and light spotting

Any bleeding needs medical evaluation.

Boost your iron stores

Because your blood volume increases during pregnancy, your need for iron rises too. About 27 mg of iron per day is recommended during this stage. Getting enough iron helps lower the risk of iron-deficiency anemia and supports oxygen delivery for both you and your baby.

You get iron in its most usable form from animal sources like red meat, chicken, and fish. Lentils, chickpeas, dried beans, dark leafy greens, and iron-fortified cereals are good plant-based sources as well.

To boost iron absorption, you can pair iron-rich foods with foods high in vitamin C. Oranges, strawberries, peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes help with this. Tea and coffee, on the other hand, can reduce iron absorption, so it's better to have them between meals rather than with your food.

Prevent constipation with fiber and water

As your growing uterus presses on your intestines, and with iron supplements adding to the effect, constipation can be common during these weeks. Getting about 25–30 grams of fiber a day helps keep your bowels moving more regularly.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are good sources of fiber. For fiber to do its job, you also need enough fluids; aiming for about 8–12 glasses of water throughout the day supports both your digestion and your overall comfort.

Meals that balance blood sugar

Gestational diabetes screening comes up around these weeks. Before and after the screening, eating habits that keep your blood sugar steady are helpful. Eating at regular intervals, pairing carbohydrates with protein or healthy fat, and choosing whole grains can help your blood sugar rise more slowly after meals.

Limiting sugary drinks, fruit juices, and smoothie-type beverages is helpful, since these can create a quick sugar load. Fasting or following a strict diet before the screening isn't advisable; your doctor will tell you how to prepare.

Omega-3 and choosing fish

DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, supports your baby's brain and eye development. During this stage, eating about 2–3 servings of low-mercury fish per week is a good source. Salmon, sardines, and anchovies are examples.

On the other hand, you should avoid high-mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, and king mackerel. It's also safer to limit albacore (white) tuna. If you can't eat fish, you can ask your doctor about getting omega-3 another way.

Don't neglect calcium

Calcium is important for your baby's bone and tooth development. About 1000 mg of calcium per day is recommended during this stage. If you don't get enough, your body may draw on your own bone stores to meet your baby's needs.

Milk, yogurt, and cheese are among the best-absorbed calcium sources. In addition, broccoli, almonds, sardines with bones, dark leafy greens, and calcium-fortified foods all contribute.

Pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles around your urethra, vagina, and rectum. Working these muscles can help reduce urine leakage, support your preparation for birth, and aid your recovery afterward.

To do these exercises, simply squeeze the muscles as if you're holding in your urine, hold for a few seconds, and then relax. Repeating this regularly throughout the day can make a difference over time.

Sleeping on your side

As your belly grows, sleeping on your side can be more comfortable and safer. Lying on your left side in particular can ease pressure on the main vein and support blood flow and the oxygen reaching your baby.

Lying on your back for long periods can affect your circulation at this stage. Placing a pillow under your legs or belly while you sleep can help you feel more comfortable.

Getting to know your baby's movements

During these weeks, you'll gradually start to feel your baby's movements more clearly. For now, the goal is to begin getting to know your baby's unique pattern of movement. Tracking movements by counting them usually becomes more of a focus in the later weeks, in the third trimester.

If you notice a clear decrease in the movement pattern you've grown used to, take it seriously and let your doctor know.

Planning a childbirth class

Classes that prepare you for birth and the postpartum period can help you learn about the labor process, ways to cope with pain, and the basics of baby care. Since these classes can fill up, it may be a good idea to look into them and reserve a spot now.

Classes are often scheduled to build up in the weeks just before birth, that is, in the final weeks of pregnancy. Signing up early gives you a chance to choose a schedule that works for you.

Preparing for the gestational diabetes screening

The gestational diabetes screening is done to check for the high blood sugar that can develop during pregnancy. Usually, after you drink a sugary beverage, a blood sample is taken to see how your body handles the sugar.

How the test is done and whether you need to fast beforehand can vary from one practice to another. That's why it's best to follow your doctor's guidance on how to prepare.

Keeping up safe exercise

If your health allows, keeping up light, regular exercise is beneficial. About 150 minutes of moderate activity per week is a common general goal. Brisk walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are good options for this stage.

On the other hand, you should avoid contact sports, activities with a risk of falling, and movements done lying on your back for long periods. If you feel short of breath, dizzy, or in pain during exercise, stop and rest, and check with your doctor if needed.

Whooping cough vaccine

The recommended time for the whooping cough vaccine is weeks 16 to 32. If you haven't had it yet, you can talk to your doctor about it.