Your Pregnancy: Week 25

At 25 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you might be feeling:

Frequent urination
Chances are that this has been something that’s bugging you for weeks now, and sorry, but it’s gonna keep happening. This is what happens when an entire baby is pressing on your bladder!

Hemorrhoids
This is especially true if you’re constipated, so remember to keep drinking water and get that fiber intake up… and that Tuck’s pads are your friend.

Heartburn
Heartburn is a pretty common pregnancy symptom, and this week, you may have noticed that it’s officially come on in full force. It’s totally normal, but definitely uncomfortable. Check with your OB — many antacids are pregnancy safe.

Trouble sleeping
Bad news: You might have a hard time sleeping until this baby is out of your body, no matter how much well-meaning people tell you to “sleep while you can.” You’re uncomfortable, you’re peeing a lot, and it’s all normal, but that doesn’t mean it’s not difficult!

In week 24 of pregnancy, how many months along are you? Congratulations: You’re six months pregnant!

You’re probably not going to get an ultrasound this week (bummer) but if you did, you’d get to see your baby in there doing surprisingly babylike things for someone who hasn’t been born yet. Baby is gaining weight, growing hair, and might even be getting ready to open their eyes for the first time — and you might feel some hiccups happening in there, too.

Now that your baby-to-be is weighing in at around a pound, you may have found that you’ve gained around 15 pounds by this point in your pregnancy (though you and your doctor know best what’s normal for you). The belly is bumpin’, the maternity wardrobe is in full swing, and you might even be glowing: Congratulations!

This week is actually a great time to schedule a dental checkup, especially if you haven’t had one in awhile. Interestingly enough, oral hygiene is linked to pregnancy. According to the CDC, pregnancy can bring on gingivitis, which can lead to preterm birth and even low birth weight. Remember to floss every time you brush, and don’t put those checkups on the back burner, especially if you’ve noticed your gums bleeding recently.

Here’s what to add to your to do list this week:

• Schedule your maternity photos if you want them. Chances are you’ll want to get this done relatively soon, since your bump is a good size and the third trimester can make it hard to get all dolled up for professional photos.
• Narrow down baby names. Even if you don’t want to settle on one until you’ve met baby, it’s a good idea to talk out a few possibilities with your partner so you’ll end up on the same page.
• Begin thinking about your birth plan. The big day will be here before you know it, so start researching how you hope things will go down in the delivery room. Remember, though, this is a wish list, not a demand list. When it all comes down to it, baby and doctor call the shots!
• Keep drinking water. Seriously — we can’t emphasize this one enough!

Now that you’re 25 weeks pregnant, a good nutrient to focus on this week is manganese, which is a mineral that helps with your baby’s cartilage and bone growth. You can try eating these foods, which are all great sources of manganese:

• Pineapple
• Brown rice
• Peanuts
• Spinach
• Dark chocolate
• Raisins

If you notice the following symptoms — or anything else that concerns you — it might be time to call a doctor or head to the ER:

• Unusual bleeding
• Unusual cramping
• Swelling that seems abnormal or is in your face or hands, which could be a sign of preeclampsia
• Contractions that don’t stop when you lay down or drink water
• Itchy palms or feet, which may indicate a serious condition called cholestasis of pregnancy
• Frequent migraines that don’t get better with rest or hydration

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and death compared to non-pregnant women. Furthermore, pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of delivering a baby before 37 weeks (preterm birth) and other adverse ramifications.

Note: If you are visiting a medical professional during COVID, make sure to ask about the facility’s safety measures and confirm that they are following COVID protocols as indicated by the CDC.

Black women are more likely to experience complications in pregnancy like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, so keeping an eye out for symptoms is crucial. Your glucose test will tell you if you have gestational diabetes, but if you’re experiencing any symptoms like severe swelling, unexpected weight gain, shortness of breath, or a higher than normal blood pressure reading, be sure to contact your doctor.