Baby is the size of a broccoli
👶 Baby's development
Palms can form fists. The baby reacts to mom's stress — heart rate increases.
💛 How mom feels
The belly presses on the diaphragm — shortness of breath possible. Think about the nursery!
📖 Tip of the week
The brain is developing particularly intensively — grooves and folds are forming. The response to sound is now pronounced: loud noises may startle the baby. Monitor your blood pressure — preeclampsia most often appears after week 20.
🔬 Detailed baby development
- The fetus's nostrils open and begin practicing breathing movements with amniotic fluid
- The capillary network in the lungs is developing, preparing for oxygen exchange after birth
- The fetus responds strongly to sounds and may startle at loud noises
- Fat continues to accumulate, giving the skin a less wrinkled appearance
- The adrenal glands begin producing cortisol and other hormones
- The fetus is about 34.6 cm long and weighs approximately 660 grams, roughly the size of a cauliflower
🤱 What mom may feel
- Hemorrhoids may develop due to increased pelvic pressure and constipation
- Restless legs syndrome (uncomfortable urge to move legs) can occur, especially at night
- Heartburn and acid reflux worsen as the uterus pushes the stomach upward
- Frequent Braxton Hicks contractions that are irregular and painless
- Increased snoring due to nasal congestion and swollen membranes
🏥 Tests and check-ups
No specific scheduled tests for week 25. Continue regular prenatal visits every 4 weeks. If the glucose challenge test hasn't been scheduled yet, it should be upcoming. Your provider monitors blood pressure, urine, weight, and fetal heart rate at each visit.
💡 Tips for this week
- Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water to prevent constipation and hemorrhoids
- Do not strain during bowel movements; use a stool or footrest to elevate your feet
- Elevate the head of your bed or use extra pillows to reduce nighttime heartburn
- Keep a regular sleep schedule and try a warm bath before bed to ease restless legs
- Start preparing the nursery — this is a good energy-level period for projects
❓ Frequently asked questions
Are hemorrhoids common in pregnancy?
Very common, affecting up to 35% of pregnant women. They are caused by increased blood volume, constipation, and the weight of the uterus on pelvic veins. Fiber, hydration, sitz baths, and witch hazel pads can provide relief.
What causes restless legs syndrome?
The exact cause is unclear but may be related to iron deficiency, hormonal changes, and nerve sensitivity. Stretching before bed, reducing caffeine, taking iron supplements if deficient, and maintaining regular exercise may help.
How can I manage heartburn?
Eat small, frequent meals. Avoid spicy, acidic, and fatty foods. Don't lie down within 2-3 hours of eating. Sleep propped up. Calcium-based antacids (like Tums) are generally safe. If symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe medication.
📝 Week 25 of pregnancy: what's happening
Your baby is now approximately 34.6 cm long and weighs around 660 g — about the size of a swede. The brain is developing at a remarkable rate, forming billions of neurons and the connections between them. Your baby’s hair is growing — some babies are born with a full head of hair while others are almost bald, but both are entirely normal variations. The lungs continue to develop, and the baby is practising breathing movements using amniotic fluid to exercise the respiratory muscles.
You may be experiencing an increasing range of physical symptoms as your baby and uterus continue to grow. Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) or pelvic girdle pain can worsen at this stage — avoid activities that require you to stand on one leg, take stairs carefully, and sleep with a pillow between your knees. Some women notice rib pain as the uterus pushes upward against the diaphragm. Carpal tunnel syndrome, causing numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers, is also common in pregnancy due to fluid retention compressing the median nerve.
Your 25-week antenatal appointment is a routine check specifically recommended for first-time mothers under NHS guidelines. Your midwife will measure your symphysis-fundal height (SFH), check blood pressure, and test your urine. This appointment is also an opportunity to discuss any symptoms, anxieties, or questions you have. If you are experiencing symptoms of anaemia (extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, or heart palpitations), ask for a blood test as iron deficiency anaemia is common in the second and third trimesters.
Begin thinking about what to pack in your hospital bag — while it is early, having a rough list helps reduce stress later. Essentials include your maternity notes, comfortable clothing for labour and the postnatal ward, toiletries, baby clothing and nappies, and items for your birth partner. Organising your home for your baby’s arrival, such as setting up the cot and washing newborn clothes, can be done gradually from now on. If you experience intense nesting urges, embrace them — but be mindful not to overexert yourself with heavy lifting or strenuous cleaning activities.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Vaginal bleeding of any amount
- Severe headache or vision changes
- Severe abdominal or lower back pain
- Swelling of face and hands (possible preeclampsia)
- Decreased or absent fetal movement after 20 weeks
- Blood pressure above 140/90
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
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