Pregnancy Week by Week: Week 25

SECOND TRIMESTER

WEEK 25

By 25 weeks pregnant your uterus is the size of a soccer ball, and you are now sporting a definite bump that is impossible to hide!  Your baby is about as big as a cauliflower, measuring an estimated 33cm and weighing about 700g.

As these weeks of pregnancy go by you will notice that your baby gets bigger quite quickly, growing by a centimetre a week and putting on about 300g in the next few weeks.

Interesting developments in baby at 25 weeks pregnant

• The baby’s fine hair on the head is beginning to take on colour and texture.
• Skin plumps up and becomes less wrinkled as fat stores are laid down.
• The digestive tract is making rhythmic, wavelike movements to prepare for digestion.
• The lungs are developing and producing surfactant.
• The shape of the nose is developing, and nostrils are open in preparation of breathing.
• The startle reflex is active, and your baby will ‘jump’ at a loud sound.
• Your baby is gaining equilibrium and knows if he is upside down or the right way around.

Your body and symptoms at 25 weeks pregnant

Nosebleeds

This is a normal and typical symptom of pregnancy and can be blamed on hormones which increase the blood flow, and relax tissue in your body, including your nose. Dryness in your nasal area can contribute to nosebleeds and staying well hydrated by drinking lots of water can help reduce the likelihood of your nose bleeding. Running a humidifier in your home may help, as will a dab of Vaseline in each nostril.

Nosebleeds are usually nothing to worry about, but if they are heavy, frequent or occur with other symptoms, let your doctor know as they can occasionally be a warning of:

• Hypertension and pre-eclampsia
• Pregnancy-related blood clotting disorder
• Nasal haemangioma (a growth in the nose)

Thick hair

This is a very welcome symptom of pregnancy and is also due to hormonal changes taking place in your body. Your hair is not shedding as quickly as usual, making your hair look thick and glossy. Enjoy it while it lasts, as this extra hair will fall out soon after you have given birth!

Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction (PSD)

This is also known as pelvic girdle pain and occurs when the ligaments around the pelvic joints stretch and loosen to prepare the body for labour and childbirth. Sometimes the pelvic bones move too easily and this, as well as the pressure of your growing uterus, causes severe pain and may even affect your ability to walk and move about. Avoid physical activities that make the pain worse, sit or lie down as much as possible, and wear a pelvic support band. Let your doctor know that you are in discomfort.

Insomnia

During the second and third trimester, you will want to get as much rest and sleep as possible so that you feel able to cope with the difficult times that lie ahead. But you may find that falling asleep, and staying asleep, eludes you the closer you get to your due date. Maybe it is because your bump is in the way, and you can’t find a comfortable position in bed; maybe you wake often to go to the toilet as your growing baby puts pressure on your bladder; or it could be an overactive mind keeping you awake. Try to combat wakefulness by using the technique of progressive muscle relaxation, mindful breathing, quiet restful thinking, or any other strategy that you find helpful.

Haemorrhoids

This unpleasant and painful symptom is common from the end of the second trimester, and more than half of all pregnant women experience them. Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectal area. They can appear internally or externally and can bleed and be extremely uncomfortable.

Haemorrhoids can be the result of pressure from a heavy uterus; higher progesterone levels causing vessels to relax and swell; increased blood volume circulating. They often go hand-in-hand with constipation, and can certainly be aggravated by it, as straining causes swollen varicose anal veins.

Fortunately there are solutions and tips on how to deal with them:

• Ice packs placed on the affected area can help alleviate pain.
• Sitting in a bath of warm water helps to relieve the itch or pain.
• Witch hazel wipes can be used to clean the area, or as a compress.
• Baking soda can be applied topically.
• Sitting on a donut-shaped pillow can make sitting more comfortable.
• Speak to your pharmacist for the best over the counter product.

Prevention is better than cure but may be difficult to attain. It is important to avoid constipation by drinking plenty of fluids and eating food with a lot of roughage. Equally important is to avoid putting on too much weight during pregnancy. Keep your weight gain goals in mind, as extra weight will put pressure on the rectum.

Dizziness

Your cardiovascular system is having to work harder than ever as your heart pumps 50% more than it did in your pre-pregnant state. This might cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded at times. Ensure you drink plenty of fluids, ear regularly to stabilise your blood sugar, and when getting up from standing or lying, move slowly.

A word on weight and weight gain during pregnancy

At one of your earlier antenatal appointments your healthcare provider would have discussed your weight gain goals with you, and at each subsequent check-up your weight will be measured and recorded.

This is an important part of the antenatal assessment as gaining more than 1kg in a week could signal alarm bells for your doctor, as it can be a sign of health problems, like pre-eclampsia.

There is no ideal weight gain as everybody is unique, and each mum-to-be starts off differently. But as a guide, your weight gain can be based on BMI, so if you were underweight before becoming pregnant, you would ideally gain about 12-17kgs. If you were of normal weight, you would be expected to gain around 11-15kgs. Overweight women should put on roughly 7-12kgs, while women who were obese according to the BMI should look to putting on no more than about 5-9 kgs. Work with your healthcare provider to figure out what your goals and ideal weight gain should be.

Putting on too much weight during pregnancy predisposes you to all manner of complications, including:

• Gestational diabetes
• Pre-eclampsia
• Induction
• Emergency c-section
• Postpartum haemorrhage
• Wound infection
• High birth weight baby

In addition, gaining more than the recommended amount will result in further discomfort during pregnancy, with certain symptoms like swollen feet and breathlessness being more severe, and it will be difficult to lose the accumulated weight post-pregnancy.

Not putting on enough weight can also cause complications, like premature birth and low birth weight babies.

Besides the weight of your growing baby, the distribution of pregnancy weight is as follows:

• Amniotic fluid – 0.9kgs 
• Increased blood volume – 1.4-1.8kgs
• Increased fluid volume – 0.9-1.4kgs
• Fat stores – 2.7-3.6kgs

Sound lifestyle habits can help you manage pregnancy weight gain and support the health of your baby.

Making healthy food choices during pregnancy can help you lose those extra kilograms after you give birth.