pregnancy week 25
25 weeks pregnant.
Hair is growing in real color and texture. Your baby's hands work now — they grasp and reach for fingers and toes.
Updated 29 July 2026 · Sources: NHS and ACOG
Your baby this week
Skin is less translucent and more pink. The baby has noticeable head hair, fuzzy lanugo on the body, and fat starting to fill out the cheeks.
- Hair grows in real color
- Hands grasp and reach
- Spine forms with vertebrae
- Nostrils open
What may be changing in your body
Bump may now reach above the belly button. Heartburn, leg cramps, and lower-back pain are common.
Rib discomfort
As the uterus rises, your lower ribs flare and can ache, especially when sitting. Stretching upward with arms overhead and changing position often brings relief.
Haemorrhoids
Increased pelvic blood flow and constipation make swollen veins around the bottom common now. Fibre, fluids, and not straining help; a pharmacist can suggest pregnancy-safe creams.
Restless legs
An urge to move your legs in the evening or at night affects many pregnant people. Gentle stretching, cutting back caffeine, and checking iron levels with your midwife can all help.
Forgetfulness
So-called baby brain is real for many — disrupted sleep and hormonal shifts affect concentration. Lists and phone reminders take the pressure off.
Snoring
Swollen nasal passages and weight changes can make you snore for the first time. Side sleeping helps; mention loud snoring with daytime exhaustion to your midwife.
Tingling or numb outer thighs
Pressure on a skin nerve near the hip can cause a patch of numbness or burning on the outer thigh. It is usually harmless and improves after birth, but mention it at your next appointment.
Your week 25 checklist
- Book a hospital or birth centre tour for the coming month if your unit offers them.
- Sort out your maternity leave paperwork and confirm your intended start date with your employer.
- Start comparing car seats — installation practice takes longer than most parents expect.
- Increase fibre and fluids to stay ahead of constipation and haemorrhoids.
A useful partner move this week
Take ownership of the car seat research: shortlist two or three seats that fit your actual car, and check whether your vehicle has ISOFIX points. Booking the hospital tour yourself, around her work schedule, removes one more task from her list.
What comes next
Next month, kicks turn into rolls and jabs that can be seen from the outside. Sleep gets trickier as belly grows.
Common questions
Why do my ribs hurt at 25 weeks pregnant?
Your uterus now sits well above your belly button, pushing organs upward and flaring the lower ribs outward, which stretches the muscles between them. Sitting tall, stretching your arms overhead, and changing position frequently usually eases it. If you get severe, persistent pain under the ribs on the right side, call your midwife or doctor, as that specific pattern can be associated with pre-eclampsia.
Is pregnancy brain a real thing?
Many pregnant people report forgetfulness and fuzzy concentration, and research suggests broken sleep, hormonal changes, and the sheer mental load of pregnancy all contribute. It is temporary and not a sign anything is wrong with you or your baby. Externalise memory where you can — shared lists, calendar alerts, and notes beat willpower.
When should I book a hospital tour?
The sweet spot is usually between weeks 26 and 34 — late enough that the visit feels relevant, early enough that you are comfortable travelling and have time to change plans if the unit is not right for you. Many hospitals now offer virtual tours as well, which are worth watching even if you visit in person. Ask about parking, triage procedures, and where to go if you arrive at night.
How many months is 25 weeks pregnant?
Pregnancy months do not divide evenly into weeks, so clinicians date pregnancy in weeks. At 25 weeks, you are in trimester two.