Week 25 of Pregnancy: All You Need to Know

Baby Development

By week 25 of pregnancy baby development, you are well into your second trimester and onto the first week of your sixth month. At this point, your baby is developing more and more, and getting ready for the outside world. In this particular week, be excited to know that he is now practicing to breathe.

In terms of size, your baby should roughly be 12 to 13 inches in length. Your baby is still safely cocooned in amniotic fluid, which provides not only protection but also nutrition.

By week 25 of pregnancy baby development, your baby is about to enter a phase of frequent activity. He is becoming more active due to the startle reflexes that are beginning to develop. 

Within the womb, your baby will have pink skin as well, because of a maturing vascular system. This means that more capillaries have developed, which leads to more blood beneath the skin. 

An interesting development at this point involves your baby developing all that he needs to “breathe,” and is actually practicing how to breathe inside the womb. 

By week 25 of pregnancy baby development, your baby’s nose and nostrils are almost fully formed and functional. Not only that, but air sacs within the lungs are also developing, and so is the surfactant that coats the lungs. 

Decades ago, the medical community had believed that a baby’s nostrils were plugged up and non-functional when in the womb. However, research has shown that they are actually functional by week 25 of pregnancy baby development.

However, since there is no air to breathe yet, the baby goes through the motions of inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid to practice breathing. With the gears in place, it is likely that the baby’s sense of smell is in the process of development or is already fully developed.

Body & Life Changes

How is my body changing?

By week 25 of pregnancy baby development, your growing uterus should be about the size of a soccer ball. This makes moving much harder for you, and it will only get more difficult in the coming months. You may experience back pain due to this. 

What should I be concerned about?

Common pregnancy symptoms you may experience at this point include morning sickness and aching joints. There will also be an increase in your blood volume, so expect to experience certain irritability. 

By week 25 of pregnancy baby development, symptoms and conditions may become more aggravated due to the rapid changes within your body.

You may experience hemorrhoids, caused by increased blood flow, indigestion, constipation, and heartburn. Along with the latter two, you may become more sensitive to unpleasant odors or flavors. 

Bouts of snoring are also likely because of increased blood flow to mucous membranes that will cause congestion. 

Because of the increased blood flow and volume, it is also likely that you will experience a tingling sensation in your hands, akin to carpal tunnel, and your legs called restless leg syndrome (RLS). RLS may be present for the most part of this last trimester. The increased blood volume causes swelling in your veins that put pressure on your nerves, causing these sensations.

Due to the pregnancy hormones, it is also likely for your hair to grow longer and thicker because hair loss is suppressed by the pregnancy hormones that allow your baby to grow in-waiting hairs.

On top of this, your body is being stretched to make way for your growing child. Because of this, you may have symphysis pubis dysfunction or pain in the pelvic area due to ligaments being stretched. 

Your Doctor Visits

What should I tell my doctor?

As always, it is important for you to be making well-informed choices that will be beneficial for you and your baby. For the discomfort that you may feel due to constipation, heartburn, and hemorrhoids, consult your doctor for possible medication. 

Feel free to ask as well as possible light exercises you may do to help relieve the numbness and pain you feel in your pelvic area and back. 

Health & Safety

There may be tons of discomfort now, but your doctor can help. Consult your physician regarding supplements, medication, or light exercises that you can do to help ease any pain you may feel on week 25 of pregnancy baby development.

By week 25 of pregnancy baby development, you only have a little less than three months left until you meet your baby. Delight in your little miracle that continues to grow.