Twenty Fifth Week of Pregnancy: What to Expect

With the 25th week of pregnancy, the seventh month of pregnancy begins – and with it the final spurt of your pregnancy.

And that’s a good thing because you’re getting more and more tired of it. There’s also a lot going on in your belly during the 25th week of pregnancy: the development and growth of the baby continue. Find out here why your spine needs to be very flexible now and how you can reduce the risk of premature birth in week 25.

In the 25th week of pregnancy, the baby measures about 13 ½ inches in crown-heel length, its weight is now 1 ½ pound (about the size of rutabaga).

It continues its reflex and movement training during this week. A little foot or arm can often be felt from the outside. The kicks and boxers of the little “belly dweller” can sometimes be quite painful for the mother.

In its waking stages, the baby constantly changes its position, from time to time it remains in a sitting position withdrawn knees and folded arms.

During this week, the baby’s sense of balance develops, allowing him to balance his posture more and more. The so-called capillaries develop in the lower layer of the skin, and the skin takes on a rosy glow due to the influx of blood. Wrinkles and skin folds are increasingly “padded out” by fatty tissue and muscles.

The development of the nervous system and senses takes another leap in the 25th week of gestation. The baby can now actively respond to touch.

When a bright beam of light hits the mother’s belly, it turns its head to the side – a sign that its optic nerve is already functioning. However, the eyes will remain closed for a few more weeks.

The brain continues to differentiate during this week. The cerebral cortex is now dividing into different layers. For the time being, most bodily functions are still controlled by other, earlier developed brain regions. From the 25th week of pregnancy, however, the control of important motor and sensory functions shifts increasingly to the cortex.

The baby’s lungs continue to mature during this week, thus increasing its chances of survival somewhat in the event of premature birth. Doctors speak of premature birth when the child is born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. Until the 35th week of pregnancy, doctors will usually try to keep the pregnancy as long as possible in case of premature labor.

By the 36th week, the baby is developed enough to be born without problems and no longer needs medical assistance for breathing or thermoregulation in the first days of life. If a premature birth is imminent, attempts are made in the hospital to weaken the contractions or stop them completely. Labor inhibitors (tocolytics) are often used. In parallel, the pregnant woman receives so-called glucocorticoids to accelerate the baby’s lung maturation.

Your body in the 25th week of pregnancy

Does it feel like your internal organs are being squeezed? It’s no wonder!

Your uterus has reached the size of a soccer ball at 25 weeks of pregnancy. It has a diameter of about 25 cm, measured from the pubic bone to a point halfway between the navel and the breastbone.

The center of gravity of the body has shifted significantly forward in the 25th week of gestation – the pregnant woman now automatically walks with a hollow back. Nature has made excellent provisions for this phase: women’s spine is stronger and more flexible in the lumbar region than men’s, as the three lower lumbar vertebrae are interlocked and more strongly aligned backward than the other vertebrae. Nevertheless, many women now suffer from back pain, and a comfortable sleeping position is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Furthermore, this reorganization of your organs means that the diaphragm can no longer lower itself so well when you inhale. Therefore, especially in the 3rd trimester, many pregnant women complain of shortness of breath.

At the latest now, sleeping on the left side is best for the mother and also for the child. To counteract pressure and pain, it helps to place a side sleeper or nursing pillow on the long-stretched lower leg and bend the upper leg over it. From the 25th week of pregnancy, many women also like to wear a maternity or nursing bra at night to relieve the pressure on their back and the now heavy breasts.

The nasal congestion of the last few weeks often becomes even more pronounced now and can lead to intense snoring.

Many pregnant women find the constant and strong urge to urinate particularly unpleasant. Due to the loosening of the tissues of the urinary system, urinary tract infections can now occur more easily. For prevention, it is important not to restrain urine and to empty the bladder completely every time you go to the toilet. In case of pain and signs of inflammation: see a doctor immediately! Urinary tract infections are easy to treat, but carrying them over can lead to serious complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage.

Typical symptoms are a burning or painful sensation when urinating, a strong urge to urinate but only a small amount of urine is passed, a foul odor of the urine, blood admixtures, and fever. At each screening appointment, the doctor will also test the urine for bacteria to rule out asymptomatic infections.

From the 25th week, many women suffer from “heavy legs”. Regular breaks and elevating the feet bring relief, as do cooling gels or cool calf castings. In the case of varicose veins and weak veins, a visit to the doctor is now recommended. As a result of the greater volume of blood, the increased circulation and the dilated vessels due to pregnancy, the veins become more prominent, especially on the hands and feet. After birth, however, this phenomenon quickly recedes.

The best tips at a glance

• Make sure you have regular rest periods.
• For quick energy in between meals, try homemade energy balls made from chopped dates, figs, cashews, cocoa powder, and coconut oil.
• Do not use scented panty liners if the discharge occurs.
• Choose a side sleeping position so that the weight of the uterus does not press on her internal organs and other vessels.

Eating small amounts of food

Seek advice from your midwife on how best to eat at this time. Large meals are becoming increasingly difficult and digestion may cause problems. Your midwife will certainly give you helpful tips for your diet from the 25th week of gestation, which will keep you and your baby well-fed and comfortable.

Energy balls contain fiber, are therefore digestive, and also provide you with important vitamins and minerals. They are also very popular during breastfeeding because they are easy to prepare and immediately provide a healthy energy boost.