Brave New Motherhood

25 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms & What to Know

25 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms & What to Know

second trimester of pregnancy week 25

Your 25th week of pregnancy is here, which means you’re only 15 weeks away from your due date. You’re in your sixth month of pregnancy and almost finished with your second trimester. 

Have you picked a name for your baby yet? Liam and Olivia were the most popular baby names in 2021 and 2022.

If you haven’t found the perfect name yet, don’t worry. You’ve still got plenty of time. More than one-third of parents consider the second trimester a good time to start picking a baby name.

As a reminder, your doctor or midwife will probably schedule your glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes between 24 weeks and 28 weeks.

At week 25, your baby is the size of an eggplant. You might not be getting much sleep these days, but your little one is. They’ve started developing a sleep pattern in utero and are sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day.

how big is my baby at 25 weeks?

25 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Frequent Urination

Frequent urination during pregnancy is completely normal. As your uterus expands to accommodate your growing baby, it pushes down on your bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. You may also be drinking more water than usual, which can contribute to frequent peeing.

Do you feel the urge to go to the bathroom at all hours of the night? While you don’t want to limit your fluid intake throughout the day, cutting back on fluids before bedtime can help; additionally, many women report feeling less pressure on their bladders when they change sleeping positions.

Sciatica

Your bladder isn’t the only part of your body that’s feeling the pressure these days. As your uterus grows, it can put pressure on your sciatic nerve, which runs the length of your lower back, down your legs, and into your toes. 

Sciatica is a condition that feels like shooting pain down your lower back and legs; the pain can range from mild to severe. 

It’s important to listen to your body. Avoid any activities that might trigger pain or agitate the sciatic nerve such as sitting for long periods. A warm shower or prenatal massage may provide some relief. 

If you continue to have pain and problems with movement after a few days, or if your symptoms get worse rather than better, talk to your health care provider.

What is SPD during pregnancy

Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction (SPD)

Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction sounds scary, but it’s really just a term for what happens when pregnancy hormones cause your pelvic bones to relax and move more. About 30% of pregnant women report SPD symptoms, which include mild discomfort, sudden, shooting pain from the back or front of your pelvis, trouble walking, or a clicking or grinding sound from your pelvis. 

If you’re looking for relief, try placing an ice pack on your pubic bone region. Our Soothing Belly & Back Gel Pack is designed for targeted relief of pregnancy aches and pains. For cooling therapy, pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Restless Leg Syndrome

If you’re experiencing uncomfortable tingling in your feet and legs accompanied by the urge to move them, you may have Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). 

Nearly one-third of pregnant women experience this pregnancy symptom, and you’re more likely to experience it when you’re lying down at night. Scientists aren’t sure what causes RLS during pregnancy.

If RLS causes you to wake up at night, try giving your legs a massage, getting up to walk and stretch, or using a warm or hot compress to help alleviate the tingling feeling. 

Can't find your pregnancy symptom here? We covered leg cramps in Week 17 and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in Week 23. You can also check out our article on the second trimester of pregnancy for more information. 

baby fat

Baby on Board

At 25 weeks, your baby is around 13 inches long and weighs about 1.5 pounds. At this point in their fetal development, their nose is working, and you might be able to spot nostril flares at your next ultrasound. Your baby will be busy taking “practice breaths” of amniotic fluid until they’re born. 

Under Construction: Startle Reflex

This week, your little one’s startle reflexes are developing. The Moro reflex, as it’s also called, is characterized by your baby throwing out their arms and legs spontaneously. You might have heard of this occurring in newborns – it’s why many parents swaddle newborns – but babies actually develop this reflex in utero. 

Under Construction: Baby Fat

Your baby has started packing on the fat, making them look chubbier and more like a newborn than ever before. Their wrinkled skin is also starting to smooth out. Your baby will experience more accelerated weight gain in the third trimester.

Under Construction: Hair

Did you spy hair on your baby’s head at your last ultrasound? You might be able to tell the texture of your baby’s hair at this point in your pregnancy.

Their hair may also be pigment-free and appear bright white, though melanin will soon get to work and begin adding color to the strands. But don’t get too attached to your little one’s hair. Many babies gradually lose their hair in the first six months of life (this tends to be more common in Caucasian infants). 

supportive maternity leggings

What to Wear This Week

Need some extra support? Try our Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Support Leggings. These premium maternity leggings are specifically engineered to support your growing baby bump. With an ultra-high waist panel that reaches up to the underbust, these light-compression leggings fold down for increased support. Choose from the Classic Style or Pocket Style - which features pockets deep enough for your cell phone and keys.

best maternity bra

We know you’re all about comfort these days. We designed our French Terry Racerback Nursing Bra with a simple crossover design and super-soft, stretchy fabric. This maternity bra is ideal for sleeping and lounging while preparing for your baby or nursing and doing skin-to-skin after your baby is born.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice that has been medically reviewed. Please reach out to your doctor or midwife with any questions.

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