At week 25 of pregnancy, your baby weighs around 1½ pounds, measures 13.5 inches long, and is reaching key milestones including opening nostrils, developing vocal cords, and building the capillary networks in skin and lungs needed for that first breath. Roughly 50% of pregnant women experience haemorrhoids at this stage, typically triggered by constipation, though eating fibre-rich foods and practising Kegel exercises can help manage the discomfort. Pears are a particularly well-suited food for this trimester, offering pectin fibre to aid bowel regularity, 12 micrograms of folic acid per fruit to support neural tube health, and vitamin C to bolster an immune system that is naturally suppressed during pregnancy.
- At week 25, a baby measures approximately 13.5 inches long and weighs around 1.5 pounds.
- Around 50% of pregnant women experience haemorrhoids during pregnancy.
- By week 25, a baby's nostrils, which were previously plugged, begin to open, and the vocal cords also start to open.
- A single pear provides 12 micrograms of folic acid, which is important in preventing neural tube defects.
- Pears contain pectin, a water-soluble fibre that helps regulate bowel movements and lower bad cholesterol levels.
- At week 25, the uterus reaches approximately the size of a soccer ball.
- Boron, a key component found in pears, helps prevent calcium loss and supports bone health by reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Pregnancy Diary Week 25
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 25
At the same time as your baby’s nostrils are beginning to open, you may be experiencing the same as many other pregnant women do at this time – horrible haemorrhoids. It may not be all that comforting to know that you’re not alone, but instead part of a group of around 50% of pregnant women who go through this uncomfortable complaint. Find out what else is going on this week, plus check out the nutritional benefits of pears for you and your baby.
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 25: How Is Your Baby Growing?
By week 25, your uterus is around the size of a soccer ball, and your baby should be around 1 ½ in weight and 13.5 inches long. Capillaries are forming at this time under your baby’s skin and are being filled with blood, plus by the latter part of this week, the same will have happened in his lungs.
Baby’s getting ready for his first breath! Up until this stage of your pregnancy baby’s nostrils were plugged up, but are now opening and watch out…so are his vocal cords.
He’s also starting to put on a bit of baby fat, which means that his wrinkles will start to smooth out. His hair is growing more now, enough so that you would be able to tell its colour and texture.
What you can expect
By this week, you can hear lots of tales about your baby’s gender depending on several factors. Some people would say that if you are carrying low, then you are having a baby boy, but if you are carrying high, then you can expect a baby girl.
Also, the baby’s gender is said to be determined by the speed of heart rate. If the foetus’ heart rate is fast, then you are more likely to have a baby girl. However, if the heart rate is slow, then expect a baby boy to arrive.
It can be around this time that many pregnant women develop haemorrhoids – these are normally caused by constipation. Try eating fibre-rich foods to prevent constipation and perform some Kegel exercises to prevent haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids normally disappear after delivery.
Some pregnancy symptoms which have occurred in the past may continue to manifest this week. These pregnancy symptoms include varicose veins, tingling hands, snoring, indigestion and heartburn. Other symptoms include restless leg syndrome and symphysis pubis dysfunction. You can also notice your hair is becoming thicker and lustrous.
Pears For Pregnancy Nutrition
A good diet for pregnant women should be composed of foods rich in nutrients, which are ideally fresh, healthy and varied. Pears have a range of benefits which can contribute towards this. Pears are a very good source of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, copper, Vitamin B2, potassium and fibre such as pectin, which is a kind of water-soluble fibre.
Compared to apples, pears are better sources of pectin which is beneficial in toning the intestines and lowering the level of bad cholesterol in the body. Pectin also contains laxative and diuretic properties, which help in regulating bowel movements and preventing constipation.
Their fibre content is also beneficial in optimising colon health and preventing the onset of colon cancer. Boron is also one of the major components of pear which makes it special. Boron is useful in preventing the loss of calcium which is useful in promoting bone health and preventing the onset of osteoporosis.
A pear provides 12 micrograms of folic acid which is very important in preventing the onset of neural tube defects. The fruit is also an excellent source of Vitamin C which helps the body in fighting against infections. During pregnancy, pregnant women are quite prone to health infections due to the weakened immune system. Also, vitamin C is important for iron absorption.
Together with Vitamin C, copper is useful in eliminating free radicals from the body. Aside from its ability to moisten the throat, pears are also helpful in promoting urination and lowering the level of blood pressure. In fact, it helps in the treatment of gestational hypertension and gestational oedema.
According to research, pears are also beneficial in the treatment of dry mouth and lips, hepatitis and lung infections. In fact, it is considered as one of the best natural treatments for bronchitis and pneumonia.
Aside from its ability to increase one’s energy level, pears are also said to contain anti-inflammatory properties. According to findings, inflammation is one of the major risk factors for certain types of cancer.
Pregnancy Diary Week 25
Select a Week of the Pregnancy Diary to start viewing information specific to each week
DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
How big is a baby at 25 weeks pregnant?
At week 25, a baby should weigh around 1½ pounds and measure approximately 13.5 inches long. The uterus at this stage is around the size of a soccer ball.
What is happening with a baby's development at 25 weeks?
At 25 weeks, capillaries are forming under the baby's skin and filling with blood, and the same process begins in the lungs by the latter part of the week. The baby's nostrils are also opening for the first time, the vocal cords are developing, and hair is growing enough that its colour and texture would be visible.
What causes haemorrhoids during pregnancy and how can they be prevented?
Haemorrhoids in pregnancy are normally caused by constipation and affect around 50% of pregnant women. Eating fibre-rich foods to prevent constipation and performing Kegel exercises can help prevent haemorrhoids, and they typically disappear after delivery.
What pregnancy symptoms are common at 25 weeks?
Common symptoms at 25 weeks include haemorrhoids, varicose veins, tingling hands, snoring, indigestion, heartburn, restless leg syndrome, and symphysis pubis dysfunction. Some women also notice their hair becoming thicker and more lustrous.
Why are pears beneficial during pregnancy?
Pears are a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, copper, potassium, and fibre including pectin, making them a nutritious choice during pregnancy. They provide 12 micrograms of folic acid per fruit, which is important for preventing neural tube defects, and their pectin content helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.
How do pears help prevent constipation in pregnancy?
Pears contain pectin, a water-soluble fibre with laxative and diuretic properties that help regulate bowel movements. Compared to apples, pears are a better source of pectin, which also helps tone the intestines and lower bad cholesterol levels.
What is the role of boron in pears during pregnancy?
Boron is a major component of pears and helps prevent the loss of calcium in the body. This supports bone health and helps prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
Can pears help with gestational hypertension?
Yes, pears are described as helpful in promoting urination and lowering blood pressure, and may assist in the treatment of gestational hypertension and gestational oedema. They are also noted for anti-inflammatory properties, which may be relevant to overall pregnancy health.