Your growing baby
Your baby now weighs about the same as a cauliflower (670g) and measures 34.6cm (head to heel).
Your baby’s skin is smoothing out and becoming pinker so it looks more like a newborn. The nipples are forming and the hair is continuing to grow. It is now possible to detect its colour.
The nostrils have cleared, having been plugged until this time. This allows your baby to take practice breaths with the amniotic fluid. Sleep cycles have developed and you will start to notice your baby’s sleep pattern.
Your baby has become quite dextrous and can grasp its feet and make a fist.
The umbilical cord is thick and resilient now. It has a single vein and two arteries running through it, which are encased in a firm jelly-like substance that prevents it from kinking and knotting.
Pregnancy week 25 – What’s happening to you
Your uterus is now the size of a football so you may be feeling a little awkward moving around. The skin over your abdomen is stretching so it is likely to have become itchy. Moisturise regularly and use hypo-allergenic toiletries that won’t dry out the skin.
It’s important to continue with some light exercise as long as you are feeling well. Never exercise if you feel at all dizzy or short of breath.
If you are feeling pain in the pelvic area, you may be experiencing SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction). This is caused by a misalignment or stiffness of your pelvic joints, which causes pain at either the back or the front of your pelvis. The pain can be severe, making it hard to get around. You may notice it more when you are walking or going up stairs, turning over in bed or getting out of the car. It is important to get this diagnosed as soon as possible so that the pain can be controlled. Try to remain active but avoid things such a heavy lifting and carrying, standing and sitting for long periods, which will make the pain worse.
Need to know
Things for you to consider during week 25 of your pregnancy
If SPD is a problem then you should make an appointment to see a physiotherapist who may prescribe a course of therapy and exercises or suggest using crutches to get around or that you wear a pelvic support belt.
Avoid contact sports and do not lie flat on your back when exercising because the weight of your bump presses on the main blood vessel can cause you to feel faint.
Continue to drink lots of water.
Play gentle music and read stories out loud so your baby can hear your voice.
This is a good time for you to be considering possible baby names.