Congrats, mummies! You’re 25 weeks pregnant now!
At this point, you’re either ready for the pregnancy to be over, or just beginning to enjoy the perks.
Your baby is reaching their many growth milestones, and making their awareness of the outside world more known.
Here’s what you can expect in your 25th week of pregnancy, mums!
Your Baby at 25 Weeks of Pregnancy
At 25 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a zucchini, measuring around 22 cm long and weighing roughly 725 grams.
They’re still quite slender but steadily filling out as fat begins to accumulate under their skin.
By the end of this week, your baby will have met the following milestones:
- Eyesight: Your baby’s eyes are now fully formed, are open and capable of blinking, possibly even closing during their sleep cycles.
- Biological function: Your baby’s brain is now regulating vital activities such as rhythmic breathing, digestion, and body temperature.
- Brain development: The cerebral cortex, often referred to as ‘Command Central’, is developing deeper grooves and furrows, laying the groundwork for essential functions like sight, hearing, speech, memory, and movement. Consciousness, memory, and sensory responses are rapidly evolving.
- Eye-opening event: Your baby’s eyes can now open and blink.
- Umbilical connection: Nutrients and oxygen are delivered via the umbilical cord.
Your little one is becoming increasingly active and responsive to stimuli.
They may react to your voice or movements, giving you a glimpse of the lively personality growing within you.
Your Body at 25 Weeks of Pregnancy
As you approach the end of your second trimester and into your third, you will start gaining more and more weight.
Your uterus is now the size of a pumpkin (that’s quite the weight to be carrying around).
Aside from the normal symptoms of backpain, dry skin, incontinence, ‘pregnancy brain’, shortness of breath and nasal congestion, you are likely to experience other new or recurring symptoms too.
Here’s what’s going on with your body at 25 weeks of pregnancy:
- Womb changes: Your uterus is expanding upward, which may push against your ribs and displace your stomach. This can lead to discomfort.
- Rib pain: As a result from your uterus pushing against your ribcage, lying down in certain positions will start to hurt, so your mobility will be reduced from this point on.
- Heartburn: As if you weren’t suffering from this before, you’re also functioning on less stomach space, causing more discomfort during the digestive process.
- Itchiness: Some women experience itchiness, known as pruritus gravidarum, due to stretched skin and elevated oestrogen levels.
Pruritus gravidarum is a harmless but annoying symptom affecting up to 20% of pregnant women, often in the final weeks.
The condition will eventually ease after childbirth. Pharmaceutical treatments include antihistamines and corticosteroids but consult your doctor for a proper prescription.
Home remedies include cold compresses. Remember to hydrate and eat frequent meals, mummies!
Stress During Pregnancy
Many women experience insurmountable stress during pregnancy. And this is not just due to the fluctuating hormones.
Your changing body (and all the new challenges that come with it) can add another layer of frustration and despair.
Night wakings, sore breasts, back pain, morning sickness. Imagine experiencing these symptoms for weeks on end.
That is not including all the other non-pregnancy related causes that may contribute to your mental distress. For example, financial worries, work pressures, or changes in personal relationships.
And more so if you are a first-time mother, there is bound to be some changes in your marriage.
But don’t fret mums, there are ways that you can safely manage stress.
Here are some tips:
- Talk it out: Share your feelings with a partner, friend or a support group. Joining a motherhood community (even an online one) can be a powerful way to find comfort amidst the loneliness.
- Prioritise rest: Get enough sleep each night and take short naps during the day.
- Relaxation techniques: Practice deep breathing, listen to soothing music, or try prenatal yoga.
- Seek professional help: If stress or anxiety feels unmanageable, consult a healthcare provider.
Pregnancy is a time to be kind to yourself.
By addressing your emotional wellbeing, you’re also fostering a positive environment for your baby’s growth.
Accidents and Falls
While your body is designed to protect your baby, falls are a common concern during pregnancy.
The uterus, cushioned by amniotic fluid and your abdominal muscles, offers significant protection.
However, any fall should prompt a call to your healthcare provider for reassurance.
Here’s what you need to know about preventing accidental falls:
- Home safety: Secure loose handrails, remove slippery rugs, and add non-slip mats to the shower.
- Proper footwear: Wear proper shoes (preferably ones with durable, long-lasting rubber soles that have a good grip) to prevent slipping, especially when walking over wet surfaces after rain.
- Slow down: Avoid multitasking or rushing, especially on stairs or uneven surfaces. Take your time to do whatever it is that you need to do.
- Supervision: At this point in your pregnancy, it’s important not to be alone, not just for things like falls (you may have other emergencies that require help from someone else).
- Take precaution: When going out in public spaces, avoid the stairs; or if you can’t, hold onto firmly to handrails. Watch out for puddles of water on the floor.
If you do experience a fall, monitor your baby’s movements and report any unusual symptoms.
In most cases, both you and your baby will be fine, but a medical check-up can offer peace of mind.
Brace Yourselves, Mums
At 25 weeks, your journey is well underway!
Both you and your baby are adapting and preparing for the exciting months ahead.
Embrace this time, staying mindful of your physical and emotional needs to ensure a healthy, joyful pregnancy experience.
Here’s to your healthy pregnancy, mummies!
References
- Curtis, G. B., & Schuler, J. (2016). Your Pregnancy Week by Week (8th ed.). Hachette Books.
- Kaye, P. (2021). Your Pregnancy: Week by Week. SPCK Publishing.
- Riley, L. (2006). You and Your Pregnancy: Your Ultimate Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Meredith Books.
- Shanahan, M. K. (2002). Your Over-35 Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Da Capo Press
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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