25 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby Responds to Your Voice
Medically reviewed by
Maureen Kelly, RN — 20+ years in L&D, postpartum, NICU, and women’s health.
Reviewed against ACOG, AAP, and Mayo Clinic guidance. Meet Maureen →
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.
At 25 weeks, your baby is about the size of a cauliflower—roughly 13.5 inches long and weighing about 1.5 pounds. Your baby responds actively to your voice and external sounds, and their brain is developing at an extraordinary rate. You’re approaching the third trimester, and preparations for your baby’s arrival are becoming more concrete.
Baby Development at 25 Weeks
Your baby measures about 13.5 inches and weighs approximately 1.5 pounds. The brain is developing rapidly with more complex neural structures forming. Your baby can now respond to familiar voices and may startle at loud sounds.
Fat deposits continue building under the skin, making your baby less wrinkled. The nostrils are beginning to open, and your baby practices breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. Hair may be growing on the head, and the body is becoming more proportional.
Your Body This Week
Your uterus is now about the size of a soccer ball. The fundal height (distance from pubic bone to top of uterus) should be approximately 25 centimeters. You may notice more pronounced Braxton Hicks contractions, increased back pain, and shortness of breath as your uterus pushes up toward your diaphragm.
Hemorrhoids may develop due to increased blood volume and pressure from the growing uterus. These are uncomfortable but common and usually resolve after delivery.
Common Symptoms at 25 Weeks
Shortness of breath: Your growing uterus pushes up on your diaphragm, reducing lung capacity. This is normal but can be uncomfortable.
Hemorrhoids: Increased blood flow and pressure from your uterus can cause swollen veins in the rectal area. Fiber, hydration, and avoiding straining help.
Tingling hands: Carpal tunnel syndrome from fluid retention can cause numbness and tingling in your hands, especially at night.
Continued back pain: Your expanding belly shifts your center of gravity. Exercise and good posture help.
What to Do This Week
Register for childbirth classes if you haven’t already. Most are attended during the third trimester.
Start researching pediatricians. Interview potential providers and check insurance coverage.
Create or update your baby registry. Start gathering essentials like a car seat, crib, and basic baby clothing.
Practice relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, meditation, and prenatal yoga prepare you mentally for labor and delivery.
Nutrition Spotlight: Vitamin A
Vitamin A supports your baby’s eye development, immune system, and cell growth. The recommended daily intake during pregnancy is 770 mcg RAE. Get it from sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, mangoes, eggs, and fortified dairy. Avoid supplements with preformed vitamin A (retinol) in excess, as high doses can be harmful. Beta-carotene from plant sources is safe. Visit our pregnancy nutrition guide.
When to Call Your Doctor
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking
- Regular painful contractions
- Severe headaches or vision changes
- Sudden severe swelling
- Decreased fetal movement
- Signs of preterm labor
See our when to call your doctor guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I short of breath?
Your growing uterus pushes up on your diaphragm, reducing lung capacity. This is normal and worsens in the third trimester before improving when the baby drops near delivery.
How can I prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy?
Eat high-fiber foods, drink plenty of water, avoid straining during bowel movements, and don’t sit for long periods. Kegel exercises also help improve blood flow to the area.
When should I start packing my hospital bag?
Start making a list now and begin packing around weeks 34-36. See our hospital bag checklist for what to include.
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Key takeaways for the second trimester
- Energy typically returns. Many people feel their best during the second trimester.
- The anatomy scan (around weeks 18–22) is a comprehensive ultrasound that checks fetal organ development and confirms placenta position.
- Quickening — first felt fetal movement — typically begins between weeks 16 and 22, earlier in subsequent pregnancies.
- Glucose screening for gestational diabetes is usually scheduled between weeks 24 and 28.
- By 24 weeks, viability is reached with intensive NICU support; by 28 weeks, survival rates exceed 90% in well-equipped centers.
When to call your provider
Call your OB-GYN, midwife, or labor and delivery unit right away if you experience:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding (more than light spotting)
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- A severe headache that doesn’t respond to acetaminophen
- Sudden facial, hand, or leg swelling
- Vision changes (spots, blurring, light sensitivity)
- Decreased fetal movement after 28 weeks (fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours during baby’s active period)
- Signs of preterm labor: regular contractions, pelvic pressure, low back pain, fluid leaking
- Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
When in doubt, call. Your provider would always rather hear from you about a non-issue than miss something important.
Frequently asked questions about week 25
How big is the baby at 25 weeks pregnant?
At 25 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a head of cauliflower (~13.6 inches, 1.5 lb). Size estimates vary from baby to baby and are based on standardized growth charts (ACOG, NICHD).
What symptoms are common at 25 weeks pregnant?
Common second-trimester symptoms include round ligament pain (sharp pulls in the lower belly), nasal congestion, mild leg cramps, increased appetite, and the first felt fetal movements. Many people report feeling their best in this trimester.
What prenatal appointments happen around 25 weeks?
The glucose challenge test for gestational diabetes is typically performed between weeks 24 and 28.
When should I worry at 25 weeks pregnant?
Decreased fetal movement after you have started feeling consistent kicks, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, or signs of preterm labor (regular contractions before 37 weeks) warrant immediate evaluation.
Is what I’m feeling at 25 weeks normal?
Most of the symptoms experienced at 25 weeks are part of typical pregnancy and reflect your body’s adjustments. If anything feels alarming, severe, or unusual for you, contact your provider — trust your instincts.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month (current edition). acog.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child (current edition).
- Mayo Clinic. Pregnancy week by week. mayoclinic.org
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Pregnancy and Pregnancy Loss research and guidance.