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Baby Growth at 25 Weeks Pregnant
Congratulations to you and your baby on the start of another month! This week, your baby is experiencing a growth spurt and they are about 13.5 inches long and weigh about 1.7 pounds on average, or the size of an eggplant you would find in a grocery store.
Different from how they looked the week before, your baby is now getting a “younger look” as the skin starts to get smoother than ever before and those wrinkles start to fill out. Although lean, your baby is putting on more fat and losing wrinkles on their pink and tender skin. As hair starts to grow thicker this week, they are gradually looking more like a cute newborn with baby fat, just as you and your partner are both expecting.
Besides the exterior, your baby is rapidly developing on the inside. To begin with the most exciting part, the 25th week of pregnancy would be a milestone for your baby’s lung development as blood vessels are further developing in their lungs to give them the ability to take their first breath of air 3 months from now. Given that the lungs are still much of a work-in-progress, another related function – the nose – will be gearing up at the same time. Unlike many of our perceptions that a babys’ nostrils are mostly plugged up until the later part of pregnancy, your baby actually starts to use its nose beginning in the third trimester. Inside your womb, your baby “breathes” amniotic fluid, a behavior which is actually known as fetal breathing behavior. This practice is just as important as lung development because it further refines their lung muscles and supports the development of alveoli – the tiny air sacs on the lungs that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with blood.
You and Your Body at 25 Weeks Pregnant
The first thing you will feel is your ever-growing uterus, which is now the size of a soccer ball to contain not only your baby, but also amniotic fluid and placenta tissue. Your bigger uterus can start to cause more stress to other organs in your abdomen. For example, more than 50% of women will experience swollen, itchy veins as a result of this stage of pregnancy. Your hair is also fast-growing now, due to enhanced pregnancy hormones.
Another common symptom at 25 weeks pregnancy may include hemorrhoids, which could cause a lot of pain and even rectal bleeding. Furthermore, you are more and more likely to experience constipation throughout the remainder of your pregnancy.
As mentioned before, gravity may be your biggest challenge. The growing baby is beginning to be a heavy load on your pelvic area, joints, and back. In some cases, your energetic baby may give you a surprise kick when they are scared or excited. It is definitely good to learn how healthy and happy they are inside your womb. Yet, their kicks to your insides may not always be so enjoyable as they get stronger.
Typical Symptoms at 25 Weeks Pregnant
As mentioned earlier, gravity would be the one to blame for many of the discomfort you may feel this week and the next three months. SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) and RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) are two of the more common aches and pains you may experience. They are simply the result as your baby is growing big and strong in your uterus and therefore your joints and nerves may be affected. In many cases, some simple massages and a balanced diet with iron can help alleviate your symptoms. If your aches are severe, please make sure your practitioner is notified for a referral to a physical therapist.
Apart from your lower belly where you find your intestines and bladder, your upper belly is also under the challenge posed by gravity. As your baby stresses the upper portion of your belly, your stomach acids may sometimes come back up into your esophagus, causing heartburn. Consider keeping antacids on hand, as long as they are approved by your doctor and avoid spicy, overly fatty, and large meals as these can all worsen the condition. Consider stopping eating at least 2 hours before bedtime and propping yourself up on pillows if your heartburn occurs at night.
The increased blood volume in your circulation system can also explain tingling hands and snoring during the night. As your median nerves and blood systems are compressed, you may also experience carpal tunnel syndrome. This can sometimes be caused by less exercise during pregnancy or repetitive motions that involve hands and wrists. Snoring is another common pregnancy symptom since increased blood flow to your sinuses can cause congestion. In most cases, it is nothing more than merely your new sleeping sounds. However, if you find severe interference with your breathing as a result while you sleep, this could be a sign of sleep apnea, which can deprive you of oxygen. Please make sure your physician or practitioner is fully aware if you are struggling with breathing while you sleep.
Pregnancy Week 25 Tips and Advice
As you are approaching the last phase of your pregnancy, you may want to pay attention to some additional things that you may notice about your body. Your eyes could be drier and you may find it difficult to focus your eyesight on things due to hormonal changes. You can use lubricating drops in your eyes, but if vision problems become worse, go see your optometrist. Your dental health is also very important during pregnancy. Make sure you visit your dentist at least once during your pregnancy.
Your soccer-ball-sized belly and your growing baby will make you feel less like moving around. Besides regular exercise as your physician recommends, you should consider adding more time to rest in your daily schedule since you are more prone to fatigue. It is also not a bad idea to have your partner to get more involved in grocery shopping and chores to give you a break when possible.
What’s next? Your second trimester is almost over. You’re getting there mama!
Click here to check your body and symptom at week 26.
By Kevin Yeh Medically reviewed by Kacie Shrock, BSN, RN
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy
