At a glance
Say hello to baby with a gentle stroke
Cramping not your style? Swimming can help with those pregnancy leg cramps
Fancy a curry? Go for it. Spice gets the green light in pregnancy
Got ‘cankles’? Elevate your feet and avoid tight shoes
Baby's development at 25 weeks pregnant
Your baby at 25 weeks is about the size of an aubergine these days, and a super active one at that! He looks a lot pinker now too, because his small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under his skin and filling with blood. At week 25 he’s already been in his tiny home for five months and understandably might be getting a little stir-crazy inside. That nudge or push you feel might be him saying ‘Hey, what’s going on out there?’ Just give your tum a gentle stroke and a few pats so he knows mummy hasn’t forgotten him, he might even reach out his hand to your hand. How cute! As the weeks go on these amazing sensory exchanges will be more frequent and your bond with baby will get even stronger.
Changes in your body at 25 weeks pregnant
Around now you might experience pregnancy leg cramps, hardly surprising with all that extra weight you’re carrying. One in five women experience restless leg syndrome or RLS which is the need to move your legs due to a tingling or crawling sensation in them. It’s a mystery as to what causes RLS but exercise has been known to relieve it. Try some gentle exercise every day like walking, swimming or yoga.
Nutrition at 25 weeks pregnant
Listen to your heart. And your cravings. Some women don’t eat the foods they want as they’re worried about upsetting baby. But, if you want a curry, have one. Your baby won’t get any actual curry, only the aromatic experience via the molecules in your amniotic fluid. So go ahead and use all those herbs and spices in your pregnancy diet. Don’t worry about curry inducing labour – that’s just an old wives’ tale.
Pregnancy tips
Are your ankles more swollen than usual? Here’s three very different ways to help:
- Try sitting back and putting your feet up - literally. Elevating your feet a little helps relieve the pressure on your legs and ankles.
- Go for a stroll. Walking activates the blood circulation in your calves and carries fluid to other parts of your body.
- Last but not least, avoid wearing tight shoes.
If you also notice swelling in your face and/or hands, make sure you see your doctor immediately. These symptoms may indicate pre-eclampsia, which is common in pregnancy.
