Week 25

Your baby is the size of an eggplant.

First Breath
Baby is gearing up to take his/her first breath. At 25 weeks pregnant, those lungs are still very much works-in-progress. Though they are already beginning to produce surfactant, a substance that will help them expand with oxygen after the baby is born, the lungs are still too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when he/she exhales.

Nose Development
Your baby’s nostrils and nose are starting to work this week. This allows your little one to begin taking practice breaths. Of course, since there’s no air in there, your baby is really only “breathing” amniotic fluid, but it’s the practice that counts!

Hemorrhoids
More than half of all pregnant women experience swollen, itchy veins in the rectum due to that bigger uterus pressing down as well as to increased blood flow to the area. And while they’re not dangerous to your body, they can be downright painful and even cause rectal bleeding. Your best bet at prevention is to increase your fluid and fibre intake. If you do have a flare-up, try witch hazel pads or ice packs to soothe your sore bum — and keep in mind that they should go away after delivery.

Lather on the lotion
You may notice that with your ever-growing belly comes all the itching, everywhere. Scratching only makes it worse so lather on the lotion or baby oil to help ease the itch sensation, as well as prevent stretch marks.