Overview of Week 25 of pregnancy
During week 25 of pregnancy:
- Your baby is 13 inches long
- You are in trimester two
- 15 more weeks to go
- Baby’s skin is becoming pink
At this point in pregnancy, your uterus has grown to the size of a soccer ball! It’s no wonder that your belly is getting bigger and things may seem a little squished in there. As your baby grows, there will be more pressure on your bladder and lungs. That means there will be a lot of bathroom breaks, and some more difficulty breathing. You will be entering the third trimester soon, which is often considered the most physically uncomfortable trimester. Therefore, try to get as much as possible done while you still have the energy and ability.
How many months pregnant is 25 weeks?
At 25 weeks pregnant, you are about 5 months and 3 weeks pregnant. You are in the second trimester and have only 3 and a half more months left to go.
How big is baby at 25 weeks pregnant?
Your baby is now around 13 inches long, from head to toe. That would roughly be the size of a rutabaga. As for weight, your little one weighs about 1.5 pounds at week 25 of pregnancy.
Baby development during week 25 of pregnancy
Skin
Your baby’s skin is now turning from translucent to pink in color. This is true no matter what color your baby’s skin will be when born. The pink color is due to small blood vessels, known as capillaries, developing underneath the skin. These small capillaries are filling with blood, which contributes to the pink color of the skin.
Pregnancy Week 25 Symptoms
Braxton-Hicks
Braxton-Hick contractions are false labor pains caused by the contraction of the uterus. They are not contractions that indicate that labor is coming; instead, they prepare your body for labor. Unlike labor contractions, these contractions come irregularly and do not increase in length or strength. They can feel uncomfortable and like mild menstrual cramps. You may start to feel Braxton-Hicks at any time in your pregnancy from now on.
Stretch marks
You may have started to notice stretch marks forming on your belly and breasts. These indented, purple, red, or blue lines occur when skin is stretched quickly. It is difficult to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy and they are usually permanent scars. You may not be able to avoid them completely, but you can start to use lotions and oils on your belly and breasts to help reduce the severity of the marks.
Protruding belly button
Don’t be surprised if your normally ‘innie’ belly button starts to protrude from your abdomen. Although it doesn’t happen to all women, sometimes the uterus and fetus put so much pressure on the abdomen that it pushes out the belly button. Generally, this will go back to normal after the baby is born.
Pregnancy brain
You may notice that you seem to forget more things nowadays. You may not remember specific details, dates, or things on your to-do list. Perhaps you may not be able to focus on tasks and your mind seems to wonder. This is a common occurrence in pregnancy. In order to combat this, writing yourself notes and leaving them around your home might be a beneficial idea.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your rectum and around your anus. During pregnancy, increased blood flow to the pelvic area, as well as increased pressure from the uterus, causes veins around your rectum to swell. Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and if you get them, it is best to avoid sitting for too long at a time, as sitting can cause extra pressure on the veins.
Pregnancy week 25 tips
Take pictures
Have you taken your weekly baby bump photo yet? These pictures will be a good memory to look back on and it is a fun way to show your belly growing throughout your pregnancy. In fact, if you have been taking pictures since the beginning of your pregnancy, you will probably already see some transformation.
Lotion your tummy
Your belly is growing at a quick pace and you are probably starting to see stretch marks forming. You may also start to feel itchy on your belly. Creams, lotions, and oils can help to reduce any irritation you may be feeling, as well as reduce the visibility of stretch marks. There are plenty of over-the-counter creams and lotions specifically for stretch marks during pregnancy. Oils like coconut oil and argan oil will also help.
Look into childcare
It may seem silly to look into daycare for a child who isn’t even born yet; however, daycares often have long waitlists. If you wait too long, you may find that there will be no available daycares for when you need them. It doesn’t hurt to get on a list now, at least you will know that you have a secured spot.
Do your kegals
If you haven’t already, it is recommended that you start doing kegal exercises every day. These exercises are beneficial in strengthening your pelvic floor muscles and will aid in labor. In order to perform kegals, you must locate your correct muscles, which are the same ones that stop the flow of urine. Once you have located these muscles, squeeze them (as if you were stopping your pee) for a count of 5-6 seconds, then slowly release for another count of 5-6 seconds. Do this repetition around 10 times and repeat 2-3 times per day.
Decide on your maternity leave
It’s time to talk to your employer about your upcoming maternity leave. How long of a leave are you entitled to and when do you plan on starting your leave? It is good to have a plan in place with your employer before your baby comes so that there are no surprises for either of you.
