Pregnancy › Week by Week › Week 25
At 25 weeks your baby is about the size of a rutabaga, and is starting to look less lanky as fat fills in and the skin smooths out.
Size
A rutabaga
head to heel
Length
13.6 in
about 34.6 cm
Weight
1.5 lb
about 660 g
Your baby at 25 weeks
Your baby is responding to familiar sounds, growing hair with real color, and slowly building the lungs that will breathe.
Development this week is all about refinement and getting to know the world. Your baby is spending real time listening and reacting, and the body is rounding out in a way that will keep going through the rest of pregnancy.
Hearing and voices. Your baby now recognizes familiar sounds and may respond to your voice or your partner’s with a wriggle or a shift in position. This is a wonderful time to talk, read, and sing, because those sounds are becoming familiar and comforting.
Hair and hands. The hair on your baby’s head is growing in and taking on its own color and texture, though it can still change after birth. The hands are more dexterous too, with a firmer grip and fingers that explore the umbilical cord and the face.
Lungs. The lungs keep maturing, developing tiny blood vessels and beginning to make surfactant, a substance that will help the air sacs stay open. They are not ready yet, but every week brings them closer.
How big is your baby at 25 weeks?
About 13.6 inches (34.6 cm) head to heel and around a pound and a half (660 g).
Your baby is measured head to heel now that the legs are stretched out. These figures are averages, so healthy babies land above and below them, and your provider follows your baby’s own growth curve rather than a single number.
Your body at 25 weeks
This is a good stretch to talk to your baby and to start thinking about the nursery, even as heartburn and sleep make themselves known.
Since your baby can hear you clearly, everyday chatter, a favorite song, or a bedtime story all count, and many partners love having a way to connect before birth. Alongside those sweet moments, common company this week includes heartburn as your growing uterus presses upward, constipation, and swelling in the feet and ankles by the end of the day.
Sleep can get harder as the bump grows and comfortable positions shrink. Side sleeping with a pregnancy pillow between your knees helps a lot, and a short evening walk can settle both heartburn and restless legs. If your mind is turning to the nursery, this is a natural time to think about practical gear like a baby monitor and to start to budget for maternity leave, without any pressure to decide everything at once.
What is normal, and when to call your provider
Heartburn and mild swelling are common now, but call your doctor or midwife the same day if you have any of these:
- Heavy bleeding, or any bleeding with pain
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain, or regular tightenings that grow closer together and do not ease
- A fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- A severe headache with vision changes, or sudden swelling of the face and hands, which can be signs of pre-eclampsia
- Fluid leaking or a gush from the vagina
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- A noticeable drop in your baby’s usual movement once you have come to know its pattern
Your week 25 checklist
- Keep taking your prenatal vitamin every day
- Talk, read, or sing to your baby, they can hear and recognize you now
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals if heartburn is bothering you
- Prioritize side sleeping with a pregnancy pillow for support
- Start a loose plan for the nursery, a baby monitor is an easy first pick
Appointments and tests around 25 weeks
Your visits are becoming more frequent, and the glucose screening comes up around now.
At your checkup your provider will check your blood pressure and weight, measure your fundal height to track your baby’s growth, and listen to the heartbeat. If you are Rh negative you may hear about an injection to discuss for later in pregnancy. The glucose screening for gestational diabetes is typically done between 24 and 28 weeks, so it may be scheduled around now; our 24 weeks guide walks through what to expect at that appointment. Bring any questions about movement, sleep, or symptoms to this visit.
A few things worth having on hand now
A note for your partner
Your baby can hear and recognize your voice now, so this is a lovely time to start talking to the bump. Read a few pages of a book, say goodnight, or just chat about your day. By the time your baby arrives, your voice will already be a familiar and calming sound.
You are not alone this week
The second trimester energy may be starting to dip a little as the bump takes up more room, and that is completely normal. If heartburn, swollen feet, and short nights are wearing on you, you are in good company. Small comforts add up, so take the rest, the pillow, and the slow evenings without guilt.
25 weeks pregnant, common questions
Can my baby really hear my voice at 25 weeks?
Yes. Hearing is well developed by now, and your baby recognizes familiar sounds, including your voice and heartbeat. Many parents notice their baby responding to talking, music, or a partner’s voice with movement, and those sounds become a source of comfort before and after birth.
When is the glucose screening test?
The glucose screening for gestational diabetes is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks, so it may come up around now. Our 24 weeks guide explains what happens at that appointment so you know what to expect when yours is scheduled.
Why do I have so much heartburn?
Two things are at work: pregnancy hormones relax the valve at the top of your stomach, and your growing uterus pushes upward on it. Smaller, more frequent meals, staying upright after eating, and avoiding trigger foods can help. Ask your provider before taking any antacid to be sure it is a good fit for you.
Is it too early to buy a baby monitor?
Not at all. This is a comfortable time to make a few practical nursery decisions while you have energy and time. Choosing a baby monitor now is a simple, satisfying way to feel a step ahead, and it takes one thing off the later list.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), second trimester care and gestational diabetes screening guidance.
- Mayo Clinic, Fetal development: the 2nd trimester.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH), Fetal development and prenatal care.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for information and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. Always follow the guidance of your doctor, midwife, or qualified provider, and contact them with any concerns.