At 25 weeks pregnant, you're nearing the end of your second trimester. There's still a lot of changes that your baby is experiencing as it grows. You're also likely experiencing quite a few side effects of pregnancy. We've got all the info you'll need to understand you and your baby at this stage, so read on!
Key Points
- Make sure to keep your skin hydrated to help with itching associated with your enlarged belly.
- You may experience constipation, indigestion or heartburn, vivid dreams, and forgetfulness, among other symptoms, at this stage. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
- Your baby is now around a pound and a half in weight and roughly nine inches long.
Body Changes at 25 Weeks Pregnant
During week 25 of pregnancy, you will be starting to show more and your skin begins stretching to accommodate your changing body. Make sure you keep your skin hydrated to ease or avoid itching associated with your enlarged belly.
When you're 25 weeks pregnant, you may also experience a few more not so wonderful side effects of pregnancy (hopefully not all of them!). You may be constipated, have frequent indigestion or heartburn, increased sweating, vivid dreams, and forgetfulness. Hemorrhoids may develop, which are dilated blood vessels in the rectal area. Let your care provider know if this happens. There are many options available to soothe hemorrhoids; they will offer the best solution for you. This too shall pass, but mention anything unusual or worrisome to your doctor or health care provider.
As your uterus continues to grow it places some pressure on your back and pelvis. Because of this, some women will experience a condition called sciatica. This often happens when the baby's head presses against the pelvic bones, causing the nerves in your lower back and legs to be compressed. Severe pain can occur in the lower back, legs, or buttocks as a result. Some women will also experience numbness or tingling in the legs.
Some suggestions to help ease pain and discomfort caused by sciatica:
- Apply a hot or ice pack for ten minutes to the area that is most painful.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time.
- Avoid frequent bending at the waist.
- Don't engage in movements that make the pain worse.
- Use support cushions and a full body pillow in bed.
- Don't lift anything heavy. If you do, be sure to bend from the knees.
In many cases the pain subsides within one to two weeks, though it may not disappear completely until after delivery.
Your Baby's Growth at Week 25
When you are 25 weeks pregnant, your baby is starting to gain weight. By week 25 your baby is approximately 1 ½ pounds and just under 9 inches long. From this point on, however, your baby's weight and length may vary somewhat. Every baby is different, as you'll soon realize during your pregnancy. Other fetal development that is occurring when you are 25 weeks pregnant includes:
- The structure of the spine begins to form .
- Taste buds are forming.
- If you are having a boy, his testes have dropped into the scrotum.
- If you are having a girl, the vagina has hollowed out.
- The hands are fully developed — fingerprints and all!
- The blood vessels of the lungs are developing.
- The nostrils are beginning to open.
Things to Do at 25 Weeks Pregnant
At 25 weeks pregnant, there are some things you'll want to do and continue doing to ensure you and your baby remain healthy. Always talk any concerns or questions over with a qualified medical professional.
Inform your employer. If you haven't yet told your employer, you need to do it now. Your delivery date will be between 37 and 42 weeks into your pregnancy. That's not that long from now. In order to ensure your employer has sufficient time to prepare for your maternity leave, you need to inform them of your pregnancy if you haven't already. Your partner also needs to inform his or her employer about their need for leave. For more information regarding your legal rights as a pregnant worker, please see this article.
Prepare for the arrival of your baby. While your baby won't be coming for another 12-17 weeks, you should start preparing now if you haven't already. Begin planning your nursery, buying the supplies you'll need, and making any necessary arrangements. You don't want to save these things for last minute; it'll cause you unneeded stress and you may not be able to get everything done.
Think about contraception. While you can't get pregnant again while you're still pregnant, you'll want to think about contraception post-delivery. You can get pregnant much quicker after delivery than you might realize. Getting pregnant very quickly after delivery can cause issues. If you want to resume birth control after delivery, talk to your doctor to find out how that process will work.
Think about where you want to deliver. Do you want to go to a hospital, birthing center, or have your baby at home? This is an important consideration that you should be thinking about now, if you haven't already. There are pros and cons to all options, so be sure to talk to your doctor about your interests and final decision. Most women choose to have their baby at a hospital, but the choice is yours.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Everything you need to know about being 25 weeks pregnant. If you have any more questions or concerns, definitely raise them with your doctor. They're your best resource. In addition, feel free to check out the other articles we have on pregnancy, childbirth, and life with a newborn. We wish you the best of luck as your pregnancy continues!
The information in this article should not be taken as professional medical or legal advice. Always seek the advice of a doctor for any medical questions or concerns. Always seek the advice of a qualified attorney for any legal questions or concerns. Moms Who Think is not responsible for any outcomes that may arise as a result of actions taken based on information we provide. It is your responsibility to do your own research and to take the appropriate measures to protect your health. It is also your responsibility to do your own research regarding legal matters.