25 Weeks Pregnant

At about 1.5lbs, your baby is gaining weight much quicker from 25 weeks pregnant onwards. The skin is developing more layers of fat and the bones are hardening now. However, all babies are different, so the weight of yours could vary slightly. Your baby has an 82% chance of surviving if born now.

Baby’s Development at 25 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby’s hearing will have developed considerably from this week. Because of that, watch out for any loud noises that you decide to make as you may startle your little one.

Yawning does happen in the womb and your baby may be yawning quite a lot. It is still unknown exactly why babies will yawn as it is linked to a lack of oxygen but it is thought that this helps with the flow of blood around your baby’s body and helps to regulate the amount of fluid that is in the lungs.

Capillaries, air sacs and blood vessels are being created at pregnancy week 25. These help to increase the flow of blood around your baby’s system ready for the outside world. It also makes sure the lungs are ready for the first breaths in the world outside the womb!

Changes in You at 25 Weeks Pregnant

You may find that you want to talk to your baby now more than before, especially if you are feeling regular movements. Talk away! Your baby will love hearing the sound of your voice and it will help him or her recognise you after the birth. The mother’s voice is the first voice that a baby will recognise after being born – the dad and siblings come in closely afterwards.

Now is the time to start thinking about your maternity leave plans. In the UK, you can take maternity leave from 11 weeks before your due date, which will be in a few weeks time. If you are employed, talk to your boss about your options and decide what is best for you. You have up to nine months paid maternity leave and then three months unpaid after that to take – if you want to take it all – and your boss will be happier that you have spoken to him or her about your plans. If you are self-employed, it is possible to take paid time off through maternity allowance. Contact the JobCentre for information or look on the Direct.gov website for help.

Symptoms at Pregnancy Week 25

You may find that your hair is much thicker now. This is because you will shed less hair during pregnancy due to the extra hormones. You may also find that your hair grows much quicker. This will change after the birth of your baby! Your nails are also likely to be thicker and stronger during pregnancy.

Your baby is getting larger and will be taking up more space in your abdominal cavity. Because of that, there is less space for your organs and they are pushed into tiny spaces, leaving less room for your lungs to expand. Expect to find that you are short of breath more often than not. Usually, this is nothing to worry about and will occur from walking up and down the stairs or up a hill. If this occurs suddenly, talk to your healthcare provider to rule out any serious complications.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is a problem for some women around 25 weeks pregnant – those who already suffer from it may find that it gets worse. This is because of the extra blood in your system and the swelling of various body parts. The Carpel Tunnel, which is in your wrist, will start to suffer from swelling or inflammation and this causes pain – it can lead to pain all the way up to your shoulders but usually up to your elbows! There is very little that you can do during pregnancy for this, but heat and paracetamol are known to ease the pain. The good news is that this will go away after the birth of your baby, unless you suffered from it before and then you will need to talk to your doctor for help.