Congratulations on another week! What happens at 25-week pregnancy? How is the 25-week baby development? We wrote everything you were wondering about, let`s start reading.
Baby Growth
It is a wonderful feeling to have reached the third trimester, when your baby makes its presence felt with increasing movements. It can now hold onto the umbilical cord, thanks to its new and improved grip, which is now very firm. At 25 weeks, your baby`s first bowel movement is bearing fruit. A thick and dark colored tiny poop called meconium! It is likely to be expelled soon after the baby is born. The baby`s hair is also getting longer, and its texture as well as its color is now evident. This week, capillaries form under the skin and they are filled with blood. Air sacs covered with capillaries also form in the lungs of the baby and it begins to prepare for its first breath. The nostrils that have been closed until now will start to open this week. In this way, it can practice breathing.
You may be wondering what a 25-week-old baby does in the womb. Babies are most active in the womb at the 24th and 28th weeks. They have plenty of places in their nests in the uterus. That`s why they dance, tumble, kick, punch, and even do aerobics with ease. The movements of the 25-week-old baby in the womb are irregular. They are even short-lived. For this reason, the movements of the baby may not always be felt every day. All movements of the baby are clear in the 25-week pregnancy ultrasound images. However, fetal movements become more regular and consistent only between the 28th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy.
Baby Size
At 25-week pregnancy, the baby is about 34.6 cm long and weighs about 660 grams. Some of the accumulated baby fat is shed and your baby now looks taller and weaker than before. Think of an acorn paste or a large cauliflower and visualize your baby size.
Common Body Changes
Your baby is growing fast now. But with baby growth, your body gains weight to support you and help you carry its weight. 0.45 kg per week is common weight gain during this time. Among other body changes, you will notice enlarged cracks on your body, dark nipples, dark patches of skin on the face, and hair growth from the belly button to the groin area.
It measures 25 cm from the pubic symphysis (bone extension in the pelvic bone) to the apex of the uterus. At this point, your uterus is the size of a soccer ball.
We can say the following about weight gain at 25-week pregnancy. In the 6th month, it is possible to gain around half a kilo a week, and at the end of the month, almost 2 kilos in total. You can take 750 grams for a week and 250 grams for a week. There is nothing wrong with that. As long as the weight gain is relatively stable and not fluctuating, it`s fine. But in the 2nd trimester, it is considered healthy to gain a total of 4-5 kilograms. If you were pregnant with a normal weight, it is ideal to end the pregnancy with a total weight gain of around 11-14 kg.
Pregnancy Symptoms
While your energy levels may not be much different from the previous week, your baby`s growth will make you heavy. Common symptoms of pregnancy at week 25:
- Problems with sleep: There can be many reasons for not being able to sleep well, including your constantly developing stomach, nightmares about childbirth, or possibly your hormones. One way to get sound sleep is to limit your water intake as you get closer to bedtime, so you need fewer biological breaks during the night.
- Constipation and hemorrhoids: This is a common condition that can bother you right now, so make sure you drink enough water, exercise and include fiber-rich foods in your diet to help your digestive system and prevent constipation. Hemorrhoids are quite common in the second trimester as the baby compresses the digestive tract.
- Painful burning sensation in the chest: As the baby grows, it compresses the digestive system, which raises acid levels in the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest and throat. Avoiding greasy and spicy foods, especially at dinner, can help you solve this problem and keep heartburn at bay.
- Premature birth: Some of the major advances in medicine have been in the care of premature babies. Although it is hard to believe, a baby born at 25 weeks can hold on to life. No one wants to deliver a baby this early, but with new treatments (ventilators, monitors and medications) the baby really has a chance to survive. In fact, the baby weighs less than 1 kilo and is extremely small. A baby born this early will most likely spend several months in the hospital. There may be a risk of infection and some other complications.
Abdomen
If you are in the 25th week of your pregnancy, you will have gained about 7-8 kilograms by now. While it is common to gain weight faster in the second trimester, keep in mind that this may be due to water retention/edema. There will be fluctuations in your weight gain, but your doctor can create a diet plan that can help keep it under control and prevent rapid weight gain in a very short time.
Fetal movement will become more evident at 25 weeks. Your baby is probably asleep when you don`t feel a kick, so don`t worry. If you want reassurance that everything is okay inside, listen to music or give a light massage, then observe the movements again.
Ultrasound
If your doctor thinks you need additional monitoring at week 25, you can have an ultrasound. Your baby has already developed a sense of balance and will have more hair on its head that can be seen during the ultrasound. Depending on your situation, you may need to take a glucose screening test (if you haven`t had it the previous week) to check your body`s ability to process sugar. This is done to make sure you don`t have gestational diabetes.
What to Eat?
Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D so that you and your baby have strong muscles, bones and teeth. Because Vitamin D supports your body in absorbing calcium, your 25-week pregnancy meal should include legumes, as well as green vegetables such as spinach, and curd, milk, and dairy products. Eggs, milk, and fish are also great sources of vitamin D.
Some women need extra support during pregnancy:
- Those who are very young,
- Those who are very underweight or malnourished before becoming pregnant,
- Those who have had multiple pregnancies before,
- Those who smoke and drink a lot,
- Those with chronic medical conditions,
- Those who have problems for digesting cow`s milk, wheat and other basic foods.
Based on this, your doctor will recommend supplements based on your specific situation and your body`s needs.
Tips and Care
- Drink plenty of water during this period as it will help you prevent constipation and related problems. Since it will keep your skin flexible, your cracking and itching problems may be milder.
- As you approach the third trimester, you should prepare your birth partner. Usually it is the husband who is willing to take on this role, but if not, then you need to quickly make a good choice.
Don’ts
- Do not consume unhygienic water, because water-borne viruses can make pregnancy more difficult than it is.
- Do not sleep on your back as this can put additional stress on your bowel and spine. It will also lead to improper blood circulation. It is recommended to sleep on your left side instead.
- Do not consume coffee and tea immediately after a meal, as this may prevent your body from absorbing the iron it needs. It is best to reduce caffeine as much as possible during pregnancy.
Shopping
In addition to buying baby clothes and maternity clothes, make sure you choose your preferred hospital and get pre-registration, documents, etc. Be sure to learn the procedures. It`s also time to review your life and health insurance. You can create a birth plan to help alleviate your fears and list the steps you need to take before, during, and after birth.
Now that you`ve been pregnant for about 6 months, you may feel like a veteran. Keeping yourself healthy and comfortable will ensure that your birth is an enjoyable time for you and your partner. Now that you have all the important information, make sure you can apply it well and bring home your bundle of joy with lots of love and care.