Now that you're in week 25 of pregnancy, your uterus is about the size of a soccer ball and you may finally take that pronounced baby bump you've been imagining since the first.

Meanwhile, your baby'southward olfactory organ and lungs are condign more than functional in preparation for life on the outside.

Your Baby at Week 25

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At 25 weeks your uterus is about the size of a soccer ball, a fact that'southward probably pretty apparent if you're however trying to zero your old jeans. Bouncing effectually inside that brawl is your bouncing baby male child or girl, at present 9 inches long and topping a pound and a half. Your little kicker will be making his presence known quite vigorously for the next three weeks, his most active fourth dimension in the whole pregnancy.

If your womb had a view, you'd come across that your sweetie's skin has taken on a pinkish hue — a sign that the fetal vascular system is maturing. More than and more than capillaries filled with blood are forming nether the skin and in those developing air sacs in your babe'south fledgling lungs.

Surfactant — an anti-stick substance that'll help the lungs aggrandize with air once they're outside the womb — is starting to form, also, getting infant set up for his offset gulp of fresh air (non to mention his kickoff squall). On a related front — and located right on the front end of that adorable little face — are your baby's tiny nostrils. They've been airtight until now, but this week they celebrate their chiliad opening, assuasive your baby to go through the motions of inhaling and exhaling.

Right now there's no air to exhale, of course, so instead babe draws amniotic fluid in and out of those petite nostrils. These breathing do runs might seem featherbrained when there's no air effectually, but information technology's well worth the attempt, considering when information technology comes to breathing, do makes perfect.

At a Glance

The startle reflex

Don't scare the infant! Your footling 1's startle reflexes are now developing. Hmm, perchance you tin can scare baby's hiccups away!

Babe fat

Baby fat is coming! Even though your baby-to-be is still lean, he'southward slowly putting on pounds and losing that wrinkly appearance.

Hair debut?

If your baby-in-waiting has pilus, and not all do, the texture may really exist seen at this phase of the game.

25 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 25 weeks pregnant, yous're in month half dozen of your pregnancy. Only 3 months left to go! Still have questions? Hither's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 25 weeks?

Your baby is growing by leaps and premises, reaching 13 inches — over a human foot long! — in length and more 1½pounds in weight.

That's taller than 2 juice boxes stacked 1 on top of the other and near every bit heavy as four of them.

Baby's lungs are gearing upward to exhale

What else is going on this calendar week? No matter what your baby'due south skin colour will eventually be, it'south turning pinker now — and non because he's getting overheated.

In fact, the amniotic fluid is perfectly climate-controlled, keeping him at an always-comfortable temperature. Instead, the pare is changing color because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with claret.

Later this week, claret vessels will also develop in your baby's lungs, bringing them one step closer to total maturity — and i step closer to taking that kickoff breath of fresh air. But at 25 weeks pregnant, those lungs are yet very much works-in-progress.

Though they are already offset to produce surfactant, a substance that will help them expand with oxygen after baby is born, the lungs are nevertheless too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when she exhales.

Baby's nose starts working

The lungs aren't the but system that's gearing up for air intake. Your baby'south nostrils and nose are starting to work this week, likewise. This allows your petty ane to brainstorm taking exercise breaths.

It was previously believed that the nostrils stay plugged upwardly until around now in the pregnancy, just the latest research shows they open up much earlier and stay that mode through all three trimesters.

Of course, since in that location'due south no air in there, your baby is actually just "breathing" amniotic fluid, but it's the practice that counts, right?

Baby could also be able to odour various scents in utero by this week, likewise. If not, that sense volition kicking in by the third trimester.

Your Body at Week 25

25 Weeks Pregnant

Having a ball?

At 25 weeks meaning, your ever-growing uterus has now reached the size of a soccer ball. Look at that — you're already a soccer mom and you didn't fifty-fifty take to buy the minivan.

But while you're probably enjoying your cute soccer ball tum up in front, and getting to know your growing trivial midfielder through all those do kicks, chances are you're not enjoying what'southward going on in your backside.

Hemorrhoids

More than one-half of all pregnant women feel swollen, itchy veins in the rectum due to that bigger uterus pressing down also as to increased claret menses to the expanse. And while they're non dangerous to your body, hemorrhoids — a course of varicose veins — can be downright painful and even cause rectal bleeding.

Constipation can aggravate them, so your best bet at prevention is to increase your fluid and fiber intake and to swallow enough of fiber-rich foods, like fruits, veggies and whole grains. Doing pelvic-floor exercises (Kegels) and trying not to strain when you poop can help also.

In the meantime, try witch hazel pads, sitz baths or water ice packs to soothe your sore bottom — and keep in mind that they should go abroad after delivery — though you're probably getting tired of hearing that!

Dental health

Want to up your chances of keeping your babe safely inside you lot until term? Whip out the dental floss and make sure you're brushing your teeth at least twice a day, since research links good dental health and oral hygiene with longer pregnancies.

Sounds kind of zany, but brushing your teeth at least twice a 24-hour interval, flossing regularly and visiting the dentist every six months can reduce the risk of gingivitis — a common condition in which your gums become inflamed, ruby and even begin to bleed.

If you don't take proper care of your teeth, the result can exist periodontitis, which has been linked to premature nascency and even an increased take a chance of preeclampsia.

Pregnancy Symptoms Calendar week 25

Heartburn or indigestion

Does it feel every bit if tummy acids are burning up your esophagus and setting fire to your chest? Always have some Tums or Rolaids nearby so yous can absurd your heartburn every bit soon as it strikes. Read More

Snoring

Snoring is quite mutual during pregnancy since increased blood period to mucus membranes in your nose tin can cause congestion. Only if yous find your snoring is seriously interfering with your sleep, this could be a sign that you have sleep apnea, which can deprive you of oxygen, so be certain to ask your practitioner about it. Read More

Tingling hands (carpal tunnel)

Increased blood volume during pregnancy can crusade swelling that puts pressure on nerves in the wrists, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome. Inquire your practitioner about wearing wrist braces or consider trying acupuncture to alleviate the hurting and tingling. Read More

Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)

If you lot're feeling hurting in the pelvic surface area, yous may be experiencing SPD, caused by relaxed and stretchy ligaments that normally keep your pelvic joints, or the symphysis pubis, aligned. Stay on tiptop of your pelvic tilts and Kegels, which will strengthen the muscles in that region, attempt wearing a support belt and if pain is severe, ask your practitioner for a referral to a physical therapist. Read More

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Equally if you didn't have enough to worry near with tingling hands, yous may also feel a tingling in your legs accompanied past a strong urge to move them. Ask your practitioner to test you for iron-deficiency anemia since some experts think it's linked to RLS. Keep a food journal, too — some women feel that a sensitivity to certain foods makes symptoms worse. Read More than

Fast-growing hair

Because normal daily hair loss is suppressed by pregnancy hormones, you may notice that your pilus feels thicker and more lustrous than ever before. Enjoy it now — after commitment, all the pilus that didn't autumn out during pregnancy will shed. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Play the baby proper name game

You lot've been playing Name That Babe for a while now. Inquire yourself these questions before committing to a babe name: What practice the initials spell? Are there awkward rhymes? What are any likely nicknames?

Consider the cadence, and be careful about combinations that could turn your child'due south name into a joke. How long volition information technology have for Savannah Anna to get Savannah Anna Banana?

Slather on moisturizer

Your uterus is now the size of a soccer brawl — and all that stretching may exist causing your tum to itch.

Skin irritation is a common trouble that tends to appear during the fifth or 6th month of pregnancy, when you're actually starting to show. Unfortunately, it only seems to get more pronounced equally time passes and your abdomen continues to grow. Slather on moisturizer or calamine lotion if needed.

Organize your kitchen

If a 30-minute repast takes 20 minutes more than you've got, you need a speedy kitchen at your service. Make sure you have the right gear on hand, and utilize it.

Your microwave tin practise more than warm a cup of tea or reheat leftovers: It can fifty-fifty exist used to cook a whole dinner!

On the flip side, a tiresome cooker tin can exist your best time-saver. Don't let the name fool you lot: Toss in whatever you accept in the house, including meat, beans, veggies and broth; turn information technology on in the morn; and come home at the terminate of the day to a delicious hot meal — plus enough of leftovers for tomorrow.

Cleanup is a breeze too. But rinse the pot and run it through the dishwasher, just check your directions showtime.

Rely on your blender to produce smoothies in seconds, your food processor to chop everything before you count to five and a toaster oven to warm or melt anything in less time than it takes to preheat your oven.

Feeling downwardly? Talk to your md

Low during pregnancy and postpartum low (PPD) are surprisingly mutual. Some symptoms include crying, irritability, a lack of ambition and poor sleep, amongst others.

One study suggests that downplaying positive emotions — aka "I don't deserve to be happy" — might increase your risk for the status. Sound familiar? Talk to your doctor as shortly as you can about getting aid.

Snack on good for you sweets

Need some sweet snack ideas? When you've been hit by the midday slump, nosh on carrot or oat bran muffins (they can supervene upon donuts and coffee block) along with a wedge of cheese or a container of yogurt.

Or selection yourself upwards with apple tree wedges and peanut butter, all-fruit jam spread on a whole wheat English muffin, cottage cheese with strawberries, tangerines and cinnamon, yogurt topped with walnuts and stale fruit, or a smoothie.

Take notation of eye symptoms

Your optics are all the same some other seemingly random part of the body affected by those kooky hormones. During this fourth dimension, your vision might be less abrupt — Is that you lot, Dear? — and your contact lenses might exist less comfortable to wear.

Some other twist in the eye story: Fifty-fifty though y'all're retaining fluid, ironically, your eyes may be drier than ever.

But don't worry — eye symptoms, like peel symptoms, will disappear subsequently delivery. Just be certain to let your practitioner know what'due south going on, and so your doc tin can "keep an center on things."

Simplify your grocery list

You don't have to buy processed food if you want to stock up on healthy staples.

When it comes to produce, snacks and dairy products, recollect small, convenient and ready-to-nibble — look for unmarried-serve packs of yogurt, 8-ounce tubs of cottage cheese, individually wrapped cord cheese, pre-cut fresh fruit salads, mini packs of baby carrots and small boxes or bags of raisins, nuts, dried fruit and trail mix.

And don't forget to load up on small cans of tomato or vegetable juice. That mode, no thing how decorated y'all are, yous can take hold of and go with a nutritious bite (and sip) in mitt.

Other shortcuts you should definitely accept: using frozen vegetables and fruits, set up-washed bags of salad, and fast-cooking cuts of meat and poultry (for stir-fry or fajitas).

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You lot're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, bookish research institutions and highly respected wellness organizations. Learn how nosotros go along our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  • What to Expect When You lot're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Itchy Belly During Pregnancy, Oct 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, When Babies Brainstorm to Smell, May 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Do Yous Have Blurry Vision During Pregnancy?, February 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, When Babies Start Growing Hair, Skin and Nails, June 2021.
  • Mayo Dispensary, Fetal Evolution: The 2d Trimester, June 2020.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Genetics Home Reference, Is Hair Color Determined by Genetics?, September 2020.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, Pare Melanocytes: Biology and Development, February 2013.
  • March of Dimes, Amniotic Fluid, September 2020.
  • American Journal of Neuroradiology, Illustrated Review of the Embryology and Development of the Facial Region, December 2013.
  • University of New South Wales, School of Medical Science, Embryology, The Nasal Cavities and Olfactory Structures, November 2019.
  • Science Directly, Fetus Breathing, 2020.
  • American Higher of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy, August 2020.
  • British Lung Foundation, How Children'south Lungs Grow, September 2019.
  • Mayo Clinic, Hemorrhoids, May 2021.
  • Mayo Clinic, Kegel Exercises: A How-to Guide for Women, September 2020.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Constitute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Canvass, March 2020.
  • National Institutes of Wellness, National Library of Medicine, American Periodical of Chinese Medicine, Clinical Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, 2014.
  • Mayo Dispensary, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, June 2019.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Perinatal Depression.
  • U.S. Department of Wellness and Man Services, Office on Women's Wellness, Postpartum Depression, May 2019.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, June 2020.

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