Welcome to the 25th week of your pregnancy journey! This could be the best time for you to tell your employer about your pregnancy if you haven’t already as you need to get the maternity benefits and pay. Also, let your partner speak to their employer about paternity leave as well.
Your baby’s startle reflexes are now developing, which means he could suddenly be startled and might even kick or punch you when it happens.
Your baby’s fat is now forming, even though your baby is still lean, he is gaining weight and slowly losing the wrinkled skin appearance.
Changes Happening in Your Body by Your 25th Week
During this trimester, you might be feeling a bit more swollen or a bit puffy, swollen areas might be hands, feet, or even your face. This is usually caused by water retention, so do not freak out about it, however, you might as well mention it to your midwife or doctor to check your blood pressure.
If you have any more alarming signs such as extreme headaches, pain underneath your ribs, or even vision issues, make sure to report it to your doctor as it might be a sign of a dangerous condition called pre-eclampsia. It usually hits during the second half of your pregnancy or even after the baby is born.
Burping or Gas Issues?
It is completely normal to encounter these symptoms around this time of your pregnancy, you might also have an issue with eating the same amounts of food you are used to eating. After a meal, you might start feeling bloated, nausea, or even burning in your chest.
This is mainly heartburn and indigestion. Your digestive issues are caused by your beautiful baby, as he is now growing more and more every day, he is taking up more space in your belly, in addition to hormones and loose up muscles.
It could be helpful for you to eat smaller meals than usual so that you do not feel stuffed after eating, as well as reducing spicy and fatty foods.
Cutting back caffeine and unhealthy food will prove to be quite helpful and effective when you want to have a quiet bowel movement.
Symptoms of the 25th Week of Pregnancy
As your baby is taking more space in your belly than he used to, you might be having some trouble with digesting large meals and all of this could result in your energy levels going lower than usual.
This week’s symptoms might include:
- Headaches
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Random pain around muscles
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Sore breasts
- Leg cramps
- Stretch marks
- Thicker hair
- Swollen gums
- Urine infection
- Bloating or constipation
- Spotty skin
- Feeling too warm
- Greasier skin
- Piles
- Vaginal infection
- Thicker hair
Your Baby’s 25th Week Development
Your baby’s growth is quite mesmerizing this week! He is now about 34.7cm long from head to toe and weighs around 660g. This is typically around 4 or 5 big potatoes.
This is the time of pregnancy where you will feel your baby’s movements inside your belly, you might even be able to tell if he is kicking or punches. Loud noises around you might startle your baby and get him to move, completely harmless but could still take you by surprise.
Your baby is weeing into the amniotic fluid by now, which makes most of the fluid around your baby urine at this point. But do not worry about it as it is providing your baby with a cushion to keep him stable and warm.
All of your baby’s organs are now in place, including his lungs, brain, and digestive system. Still, he is not fully developed yet, but no worries as that are what the next few weeks are all about.
Your baby is now starting to practice breathing as his nostrils and nose are starting to work this week, you baby could be able to pick up a few smells around the uterus as well and if not now, then by the beginning of the third trimester.
It was a common belief that your baby’s nostrils are not open up until now during pregnancy, but the latest researches show that his nostrils are open much earlier and remain this way during the entire three trimesters. Of course, he cannot really breathe as there is no air in there, but he is still practicing his breathing, that counts for something!
This Week’s Tips
Go for Healthy Sweets
Usually, around this time of pregnancy, women feel like having a sweet snack every now and then, try replacing doughnuts and coffee with carrots or oat bran, you can add a wedge of cheese or some yogurt, and you’ve got a mini-meal now.
If you are not suffering from any allergies, you can go ahead and add some peanut butter or some fruit jam to your snacks.
Note Any Eye Symptom
Your eyes, just like any other random part of your body, can get a bit affected by a pregnancy, your eyes might be dryer than ever during these few weeks, your eye contacts might not be comfortable to wear anymore.
That is completely normal as all of these discomforting symptoms disappear soon after the delivery, but for now, you can consider buying a new pair of glasses as your vision will not be at its best by now, especially if your job requires sharp sight like proofreading or even just seeing the computer screen properly.
Consider Baby Names
While you are expecting, this could be a good time to choose a good baby name for your little angel, try thinking about the initials and if it rhymes weirdly or if it could have a bad nickname.
You have plenty of time to think of a good name, for now, you can find plenty of new name suggestions online, enjoy!