You have now entered in to the third trimester of pregnancy. Just a note that anywhere between 25-28 weeks have been considered starting the third trimester. This is also where many physical changes happen. The baby may seem too small to be born right now but there is plenty of time left. The baby may not be gaining weight at such as fast pace anymore but there is nothing to worry about. The baby will start gaining weight, at least a ½ a pound a week until they are born. Your baby bump is more prominent than before and you will have people trying to guess if you are having a girl or a boy.

On a sonogram, you may see the baby’s hair texture, color as well as eye color one way but all of that can change once the baby is born. Your body may start to feel more achy and more tired than you did in the second trimester. You have to listen to your body, when the body says slow down; you really have to do it. The stress that you are putting on your body is being put on the baby as well. You will soon notice that you won’t be able to see your feet anymore and tying your shoes may prove to be a challenge.

As a new mom to be, you should know that there is a risk or premature delivery from this week forward. This may happen due to an incompetent cervix or an infection in the uterus. If the cervix ruptures you may be required to remain in the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy. If the baby were born at this week, the baby would have a small chance of survival. The risk would be the weight of the baby along with the possibility of several other conditions due to the body not being fully developed. The baby would be susceptible to infection because of the low birth weight. This is why it is important to take it easy and take good care of yourself in this stage of pregnancy.

Baby’s Development

At 25 weeks pregnant, your uterus is about the size of a volleyball. As your uterus continues to grow, you’ll notice that it places some pressure on your back and pelvis. This can sometimes cause you to experience shooting pains either down your leg or in your lower back. For some women, these pains get more and more severe during pregnancy.

Some women will experience a condition called sciatica during pregnancy. This often happens when the baby’s head presses against the pelvic bones causing the nerves in your lower back and legs to be compressed. Severe pain often results and can occur in the lower back, legs, and even buttocks. Some women will also experience numbness or tingling in the legs. For some, the pain is so severe that they aren’t able to lift their leg or walk without excruciating pain. So what is a woman to do? For most women, their symptoms disappear once their baby is born. Until then, there are many things you can do to help alleviate the pain:

• Apply a hot or ice pack for 10 minutes to the area that is most painful.
• Sleep on a firm mattress.
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time.
• Avoid frequent bending at the waist.
• Don’t engage in movements that make the pain worse.
• Consider physical therapy if your physician recommends it.
• Try to stand up straight.
• Use support cushions and a full body pillow (such as Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows) in bed.
• Don’t lift anything heavy and when you do lift be sure to bend from the knees.
• Consider chiropractic care or physical therapy.

Remember like anything else, this too shall pass. Some women find that their sciatic pain is greatly relieved by getting a few days bed rest. In many cases, the pain subsides within 1-2 weeks, though it may not disappear completely until after delivery.

Changes In Your Body

By the time you reach 25 weeks pregnant you are a magnificent and glowing specimen. Your tummy while big is not huge and bulky, and for the most part you are probably enjoying the attention everyone is offering you during pregnancy. Many women are shocked to find just how courteous and helpful many people are during their pregnancy.

If you have young children they may be curious about the baby in your tummy. Many women decide to hold off telling their children until they are closer to delivery. Most children have no sense of time hence have a hard time understanding that the baby will not come for several more weeks yet.

During your prenatal visit around 25 weeks you should talk with your doctor and become familiar with the symptoms of pre-term labor. There are several warning signs you should be aware of that include:

• Persistent and rhythmic cramping in the lower belly.
• Contractions that come more frequently than 4 in an hour.
• Cramping accompanied by low backache.
• Watery or bloody discharge or leaking.

If you are experiencing any of these or other uncomfortable or unusual symptoms be sure to contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor can often take steps to prevent delivery if premature labor is threatened. The longer your baby stays inside of you in most cases, the better her chances for survival.

How Your Life’s Changing

Your baby’s not the only one with more hair your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It’s not that you’re growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you’d normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.

You may also notice that you can’t move around as gracefully as before. Unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, it’s fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don’t work out when you’re feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don’t lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you’re apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.

When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.

Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history (Great Grandpa Zeb), favorite locations (Venice, where you honeymooned), or cherished literary or film characters (Greta, Meg, or Atticus, for example). Check out a couple of baby-name books to help you brainstorm, too.

Tips/Advice

Listen to your doctor and follow all of these suggestions. Now is also the time to finish up any preparations for the baby’s nursery. In a few weeks, you won’t be able to travel as much or shop without becoming tired. You may also be in the stages of planning a baby shower. Make sure that you plan this at least a month or two months ahead of time. Don’t wait for the last minute; you want to be able to have a good time without feeling tired.