Reaching week 25 of pregnancy is a lovely milestone. You are firmly in the second trimester, most likely feeling regular movements, and your baby is growing rapidly. This week often brings a real sense of momentum as the third trimester comes into view. If you have just come from week 24, you will notice how much more active and responsive your baby is becoming.
Below we walk through what is happening for your baby and your body at 25 weeks pregnant, alongside practical, NHS-aligned guidance on the appointments and screening that typically fall around this stage.
Your baby at week 25
By around 25 weeks, your baby measures approximately 34 to 35 centimetres from head to heel and weighs in the region of 650 to 700 grams, roughly the size of a swede or a large cauliflower. These figures are averages only, and healthy babies vary a great deal.
This week is largely about refinement and growth. Your baby is putting on fat, so the skin gradually looks less translucent and more filled out. The lungs are continuing to develop the fine structures and surfactant they will eventually need to breathe air, although this process has some way to go. Nostrils are opening, and your baby may begin practising small breathing movements with the surrounding amniotic fluid.
Your baby's sense of hearing is becoming more established, and many parents find their baby responds to familiar voices or music with a kick or a wriggle. Periods of activity and rest are now more organised, which is why you may notice patterns to the movements you feel.
Your body at week 25
As your bump grows, so can a familiar collection of second-trimester symptoms. Many people at 25 weeks pregnant notice some of the following, all of which are typically considered normal:
- Backache and pelvic aches as your posture and ligaments adjust to the extra weight.
- Braxton Hicks contractions, occasional painless tightenings of the womb that come and go.
- Swelling of the feet, ankles and hands, particularly later in the day.
- Heartburn and indigestion, often worse after larger meals or when lying down.
- Restless legs, leg cramps or trouble sleeping as your bump makes comfortable positions harder to find.
Some symptoms, however, are worth flagging promptly rather than waiting. Sudden or severe swelling, a bad headache with visual disturbances, itching that is particularly troublesome, or any reduction in your baby's usual movements should always be checked by your midwife or maternity unit without delay. Trust your instincts: if something feels different, it is always reasonable to ask.
What to keep in mind this week
The practical priorities at 25 weeks are steady and reassuringly ordinary. Getting to know your baby's individual pattern of movements is one of the most valuable things you can do, as any change from that pattern is an important reason to be seen. There is no set number of movements to count towards; what matters is what is normal for your baby.
Beyond that, gentle activity, staying hydrated, and eating regular balanced meals can all help with the aches and digestion niggles of this stage. Many people find that mapping out the weeks ahead brings a sense of calm. Our pregnancy journey planner lays out a personalised timeline of scans, tests and milestones so you can see what typically comes next and when.
Scans, tests and appointments
In the NHS pathway, the routine mid-pregnancy anomaly scan is offered between 18 and 21 weeks, so by week 25 this is usually behind you. If for any reason a detailed anatomy review was delayed or you would value a second, thorough look, a late anomaly scan can generally still be performed up to around 25 weeks, after which clear imaging of some structures becomes more difficult.
Screening for gestational diabetes is one of the more common tests around this stage. Where it is offered, the glucose tolerance test (GTT) is typically arranged between 24 and 28 weeks, so week 25 sits right within that window. If you would like this checked privately or sooner, we offer GTT screening. Whether you are offered NHS screening usually depends on individual risk factors, which your midwife can talk through with you.
A couple of vaccinations also fall around now. The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is offered from around 16 weeks and can be given up to about 32 weeks, helping to protect your baby in their earliest months. The RSV vaccine, meanwhile, is offered from 28 weeks, so it is likely to be raised at an appointment shortly after this week. Discussions about group B strep tend to come later, closer to the end of the third trimester.
Looking ahead to week 26
As you move towards week 26, you are approaching the threshold of the third trimester, with your baby continuing to grow stronger and more active. Week 25 is a good moment to enjoy the relative comfort of this stage while quietly preparing for the weeks to come. Rest when you can, keep in touch with your midwife, and celebrate how far you and your baby have come.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always speak to your midwife, GP or obstetrician about your own pregnancy.
