25 Weeks Pregnant

Welcome to the 25th week of your pregnancy! You and your baby are getting closer to the last trimester and preparing for the big arrival. At this stage, your baby is continuing to develop and grow and your body is adjusting to the changes. Keep reading for an overview of your symptoms, insights on fetal development, tips for preparing for the birth, and advice on how to stay healthy at 25 weeks pregnant.

Highlights at 25 Weeks Pregnant

Here are some highlights to look forward to during week 25 of your pregnancy:

• Your little one is adding more fat this week, making them look less wrinkled.

• Their brain and other parts of the nervous system continue to develop.

• Keeping up with your exercise routine at 25 weeks pregnant may help ease those pregnancy aches and pains.

• As your body changes and your belly continues to grow at 25 weeks pregnant, you may want to keep an eye on your weight gain. Stay on track with our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator:

25 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

Here are some of the fetal developments happening at 25 weeks pregnant:

• At 25 weeks gestation, your little one is starting to plump up! They’re adding fat every day, which is helping to smooth out the wrinkles in their skin.

• In your baby's brain, the cortex is forming layers. Most of the action is still controlled by other brain areas that developed much earlier.

• In addition to the brain, other parts of the nervous system are continuing to develop. It’s this important system that will help your baby learn to take in information from the outside world, process it, and react.

• Have you been wondering if your baby can hear you? Their hearing is developing quickly and, at 25 weeks pregnant, your baby may even start to respond to familiar sounds like your voice by moving or changing their position. Give it a try!

• You may notice certain times of day when your baby is very active or times when the fetal movements have decreased a little. Still, in general, at 25 weeks pregnant, you’re more likely to feel their movements when you’re still.

Want to keep up with how you and your little one are progressing during the last weeks of the second trimester? Download our go-to pregnancy guide to track your progress and pick up more information about your baby’s development in the second trimester.

How Many Months Is 25 Weeks Pregnant?

At 25 weeks pregnant, how far along is that in months? The 40 weeks of pregnancy can be divided into months using various methods; at 25 weeks, you’re in your sixth month of pregnancy. And what trimester is 25 weeks? You’re still in your second trimester at 25 weeks pregnant and will reach your third trimester at 28 weeks.

Baby's Size at 25 Weeks Pregnant

How big is a baby at 25 weeks pregnant? At 25 weeks, your fetus is about the size of an acorn squash!

Your Baby: What Does 25 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Here’s an idea of what your baby may look like at 25 weeks gestation:

Your Body at 25 Weeks Pregnant

You’re quickly approaching the third trimester, and your baby is getting bigger each day, which means that you are, too.

At 25 weeks, your growing uterus may be putting more pressure on your stomach and other organs at this time, which can lead to issues with digestion and even constipation.

25 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 25 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Sciatica. At 25 weeks pregnant and as your uterus grows, there’s more pressure on the sciatic nerve, which can cause hip and lower back pain. To relieve any pain, you can apply an ice pack or cold pack to the area. You can also ask your healthcare provider about stretching exercises that may help. Before you take any over-the-counter pain medications, make sure you ask your provider if it’s safe to do so. The good news? These pains usually subside after your baby is born. Until then, if you experience any numbness in your feet or legs, or if nothing you try helps relieve the pain, let your healthcare provider know right away.

• Constipation. At this point in your pregnancy, you might be experiencing constipation. There are a couple reasons and solutions to this issue:

  • Your growing uterus can start to put pressure on your rectum. This, combined with higher levels of the hormone progesterone, can cause constipation, which can mean infrequent or difficult-to-pass bowel movements.

  • If you take iron supplements, these can also contribute to constipation.

  • To help prevent constipation or to try to ease the discomfort, stay hydrated and make sure you’re getting enough fiber in the form of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads or cereals. Walking and other forms of exercise can also help your digestion; check in with your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program at 25 weeks pregnant and contact them if you experience pain or shortness of breath during exercise.

• Acid reflux. Those pregnancy hormones (we’re looking at you, progesterone!) can relax the valve that guards the entrance to the stomach, letting the contents of your stomach move up into the esophagus, which causes heartburn. If you're experiencing this condition, try eating smaller, more frequent meals and eliminating spicy foods or other foods that you find trigger heartburn. You may want to learn more about things to avoid at 25 weeks pregnant, such as what not to eat during pregnancy.

• Pelvic pain. When you're pregnant, the hormone relaxin loosens the joints in the pelvis. The increased flexibility in this area at 25 weeks pregnant and even after pregnancy can lead to pelvic pain.

• Leg cramps. Some pregnant people are bothered by leg cramps during the second trimester, and it’s not uncommon for these cramps to strike at night. Try to keep up with moderate exercise and stretch your calf muscles before you go to bed, which might help minimize any discomfort. A warm bath or an ice pack can also help you feel better if you experience any leg cramping at 25 weeks pregnant.

• Braxton Hicks. At 25 weeks pregnant, it’s possible to experience Braxton Hicks contractions. These are practice contractions rather than true contractions, and they help your body prepare for birth. They may feel like a slight tightness in your abdomen and can range from mild to painful. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about what you’re feeling.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 25 Weeks?

At 25 weeks pregnant, your healthcare provider will gauge your belly size by your fundal height, which is the distance between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus—it’s likely about 25 centimeters right now. Your healthcare provider will measure your fundal height at your next visit.

What Does 25 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

For a general idea of what your belly might look like in your sixth month of pregnancy, around 25 weeks pregnant, check out the image below.

25 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

At 25 weeks pregnant, take some time to consider the following:

• Have you thought about pain management during labor? There are many options, from pain-relieving drugs and anesthesia to drug-free comfort measures. Ask your healthcare provider about your options, knowing that you can always change your mind later. For a different approach to this topic, take our labor pain relief quiz.

• You may find that your growing bump is starting to invite comments from well-meaning friends and strangers alike. Of course, the details of the health of your pregnancy, including the size of your belly bump at 25 weeks pregnant, your weight gain, and eating and exercise habits, are between you and your healthcare provider, so don't feel pressured to respond. If unsolicited questions or comments make you uncomfortable, it’s OK to head them off with a simple “Thank you for your concern.”

• If aches and pains are getting you down, consider adjusting your exercise routine. An exercise ball is a great tool to keep on hand for pregnancy exercises. It will help you stretch and tone your back, arms, and shoulders, among other things. Ask your healthcare provider for advice on easy and safe exercises you can do with an exercise ball. Some pregnant people find gentle yoga exercises can help with aches and pains, too.

• If you haven’t already done so, sign up for a parenting class that will cover newborn care. One of the most important things to learn is how to put your baby to sleep to lessen the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For starters, your baby should always be placed on their back on a firm, flat surface and without blankets or toys in the crib. Learn more about how to reduce the risk of SIDS.

• If you’re planning your little one’s nursery right now, you might find it helpful to list all the essentials you need. You could even add some of them to your baby shower registry if you have one. If you need a little inspiration for decorating your nursery, have some fun with our nursery style quiz and let us help you decorate!

• Learn what Pampers Parents have said about common items of baby gear. We asked thousands of Pampers Parents to vote on and review lots of products from car seats to strollers—and even the best baby bottle. Check out all the best baby products.

25 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

At 25 weeks pregnant and throughout your pregnancy journey, your healthcare provider is there to support you. Here are some common questions during this period:

• Will I need a glucose test? If you haven’t had one earlier in your pregnancy, your healthcare provider may offer you a glucose challenge test sometime between now and 28 weeks to assess your risk of gestational diabetes.

• Is a little vaginal bleeding normal? Bleeding and spotting at 25 weeks pregnant may be due to something relatively minor like an inflamed cervix, but always check with your healthcare provider if you experience any bleeding at all.

• What do I need to know about preterm labor? Your healthcare provider can fill you in on the signs to look out for and advise on what to do if you experience any of the symptoms.

• Do you recommend a 3D or 4D ultrasound at 25 weeks?

• How much longer can I continue working?

25 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

□ If you and your baby need health insurance, go to HealthCare.gov. You'll find information about coverage through Medicaid, CHIP, and other programs in your state.

□ Research your options and talk to your healthcare provider about pain relief possibilities during labor.

□ If you haven’t already done so, sign up for a childbirth class, including your partner if possible. These classes will prepare you for what to expect during labor and delivery, and your partner will find them useful, too.

□ Start planning your maternity leave.

□ Learn more about cord blood banking, and talk to your healthcare provider if this is something you feel you may be interested in.

□ If you’re wondering “How often should my baby move at 25 weeks?” download our fetal movement tracker so that you're ready to start monitoring your little one's movements when your healthcare provider suggests to do so. It's easy to use: Simply jot down your start and end time and make a note of each movement you feel. Your provider can also give you an idea of what to be aware of when tracking your baby’s movements.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}