Your growing little person 💛

Your baby is starting to look like the newborn you'll meet, just smaller and slimmer. Week 25 is a lovely week to notice how much has changed since that first poppy seed.

📌 Week 25 at a glance

• Trimester: Second
• Baby's size: about the size of a courgette, or zucchini (around 34.6 cm head to heel)
• Still to come: roughly 15 weeks (a typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks)

🌱 Your little one this week

At 25 weeks, your baby weighs around 660 g and measures about 34.6 cm from head to heel, roughly the size of a courgette. This is an active time. A loud noise can make your baby jump and kick, which shouldn't hurt but might take you by surprise, and you might even feel the occasional hiccup.

The hands are well developed, the nostrils are opening up, and hair is growing on the scalp, with its colour and texture still to be revealed. Your baby is now peeing into the amniotic fluid. By now, most of the liquid around your baby is urine, which provides cushioning and helps keep the temperature snug and stable.

Body fat keeps building under the skin, so the wrinkles are slowly smoothing out and your baby is starting to look more plump.

🌷 And how about you, Mum?

Many mums notice backache, tiredness, or trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position around now. Burping, a full feeling and heartburn are common too, because your growing baby is taking over some of the space where your stomach used to be. Smaller meals, avoiding rich, spicy and fatty foods, going easy on caffeine and sitting up straight when you eat can all help. Constipation and haemorrhoids (piles) can also appear as the womb presses on the bowel and hormones slow digestion. They're common and nothing to be embarrassed about.

You might notice some puffiness in your face, hands and feet. It's usually harmless water retention, but please mention it to your doctor or midwife so they can check your blood pressure, in case it's a sign of pre-eclampsia. If you also get splitting headaches, vision problems or pain just below your ribs, call your doctor, midwife or hospital straight away.

Your hair and skin may look different too. Some mums notice thicker hair or a pregnancy glow, while others see dryness. It all varies.

🍽️ Food for thought: vitamin K

Vitamin K plays a role in normal blood clotting and in keeping bones healthy. It's found mainly in leafy green vegetables.

Everyday foods that contain vitamin K include:

• Leafy greens such as kai lan (Chinese kale), sawi and spinach (bayam)
• Broccoli and cabbage
• Some vegetable oils
• Fermented soy foods such as tempeh

If you'd like personal advice about food or supplements, your doctor, midwife or dietitian is happy to help.

✨ Little things that may feel nice

• Many mums find that fibre-rich foods and plenty of fluids help keep things moving
• A pillow between the knees and another behind the back can make sleeping on your side easier
• A warm bath or shower can soothe an aching back
• A short, gentle walk after meals can feel nice for digestion

🩺 Coming up

Many clinics offer a routine blood sugar test between about 24 and 28 weeks, so it may come up soon. Your doctor or midwife can explain how it works at your clinic. Routine antenatal visits continue, and it's a good time to start thinking about antenatal classes if you haven't yet.

You could also start thinking about what you'd ideally like for the birth, such as the kind of pain relief you'd like and who you'd like to have with you. Writing a simple birth plan can help you think it through, and your doctor or midwife can talk it over with you.

👨‍👩‍👧 Partner's corner

Sleep can get tricky now. Helping to arrange pillows, or taking over an evening chore, can make a real difference. A little help goes a long way. If you're doing this on your own, please ask your doctor or midwife about local support, and lean on family and friends. You don't have to manage it all by yourself.

❓ Quick questions

Is constipation normal in pregnancy?
Yes, it's very common. Fibre, fluids and gentle movement often help. If it's troubling you, your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can talk through safe options.

Why can't I get comfortable at night?
A growing bump makes it harder to find a good position. A few extra pillows often help, and sleeping on your side is generally recommended over sleeping on your back as your pregnancy goes on.

💛 A little moment for the two of you

Twenty-five weeks. A little person with hands, hair and a startle reflex is growing right beside your heart.

Growing beautifully, little one. 🦕

Sources & further reading

NHS — 25 weeks pregnant
NHS Week 25 pregnancy guide

Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) — Antenatal care
KKM maternal health and antenatal care

FirstDino shares general pregnancy information for education and comfort. It is not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Please speak with your doctor or midwife about your own health and care.