25 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby Can Hear Your Voice!

Are you talking or singing to your bump now? Keep it up! Now that you’re 25 weeks pregnant, your little one can hear and recognize your voice. They’re even beginning to dream!

As your baby's senses develop, your body adapts, so you may feel new aches or be a bit short of breath. It’s all part of the experience of being in your sixth month. Here’s what you can expect this week.

Your Baby’s Development at 25 Weeks

When you’re 25 weeks pregnant, your baby’s size is now about 33 cm (13 in) long and weighs anywhere from 0.7 to 0.8 kg. (1.5 to 1.75 lbs.), according to the American Pregnancy Association.

These numbers are just a guide—every baby grows at their own unique pace. This is why doctors use global growth standards, like those published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to get a clear picture of how your baby is growing.

Your baby can hear you.

A 2024 review in the journal Newborn found that your baby’s hearing is functionally developed around Week 24 to 25, allowing your baby to already learn and remember sounds, like your voice!

More research is needed to fully understand the best timing for these sound experiences. But go ahead and talk, sing, or read to your little one—it's a great way to bond.

They’re starting to dream.

The Mayo Clinic notes that your baby now spends most of their sleep time in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is when dreaming happens.

While it's possible they’re dreaming, REM sleep is a sign that their brain is active, building important pathways, and processing simple sensations.

Your baby's skin is getting plumper.

Your baby is developing more body fat, which makes their skin less wrinkled , explains the Cleveland Clinic.

Their lungs are still maturing.

While your baby’s lungs are fully formed at this stage, they’re not yet ready to function on their own, notes the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). They need to develop further to prepare for breathing after birth.

Their heart is beating faster than yours.

Your baby's heart is beating at about 140 beats per minute. For comparison, a typical resting heart rate for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

You might also feel occasional rhythmic movements, which could be your baby hiccupping.

Your Symptoms at 25 Weeks

As your uterus expands at 25 weeks, it's typical to feel new symptoms like heartburn and shortness of breath.

When you’re 25 weeks pregnant, your bump rapidly grows as your uterus expands upwards, triggering a few pregnancy symptoms.

You may feel new aches, pains, and swelling.

A large 2023 study in npj Digital Medicine found that back pain peaks around Week 24 and remains steady all the way through Week 37. This is due to your growing belly, which shifts your center of gravity and strains your muscles.

You may also feel quick, sharp pains on the sides of your belly as your ligaments stretch—common in the second trimester. (See Week 13 for more information on round ligament pain.)

Swelling (called edema) in your feet and ankles may also occur as your body holds onto more fluid.

You might feel short of breath.

Are you 25 weeks pregnant and short of breath? The study in npj Digital Medicine found that breathlessness steadily increases throughout pregnancy until it peaks at Week 33. That’s because your expanding uterus is pushing up against your diaphragm, leaving less room for your lungs to expand fully.

Try to take it easy and practice good posture to give your lungs as much space as possible. You may also feel dizzy or lightheaded when you’re short of breath—that’s natural.

Headaches can still happen.

Dealing with a headache is typical this week due to hormonal changes, lower blood pressure, or even your growing uterus pressing on blood vessels. Be sure to stand up slowly and drink plenty of water.

The npj Digital Medicine study on pregnancy symptoms found that headaches tend to peak around Week 16 and become less frequent after. So if this symptom is new or feels different, inform your healthcare provider.

Heartburn and indigestion are common now.

You may experience heartburn and constipation at this stage, notes the National Health Service (NHS-UK). This is often due to pregnancy hormones relaxing the valve between your stomach and esophagus.

You might notice Braxton Hicks contractions.

If you start to feel your belly tighten and then relax, these are likely Braxton Hicks contractions. While they can begin as early as Week 6, most women don't feel them until the second or third trimester.

Watch for changes in discharge.

It's typical to experience an increase in thin, milky, and mild-smelling watery discharge at 25 weeks pregnant. (Read about leukorrhea in Week 22.) However, you should call your doctor if your discharge has a strong, foul odor, is yellow or green, or is accompanied by itching.

Fueling Your Body: Nutrition at 25 Weeks

Now that you’re 25 weeks pregnant, focus on food that’s rich in nutrients. To ensure you’re getting what you need, follow these simple tips:

• Eat small, frequent meals to help manage heartburn.
• Focus on iron-rich foods like lentils, spinach, and lean meats to help prevent anemia.
• Add fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to manage constipation.
• Get your calcium and vitamin D from milk, yogurt, or fortified plant-based drinks.
• Include healthy fats with omega-3s, like fatty fish, for your baby’s brain development.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Check out these healthy meal plan ideas and get this guide to vitamins for pregnant women.

Your Self-Care Tips for Week 25

You can start discussing your birth plan and hospital route with your partner when you’re 25 weeks pregnant.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to stay comfortable, healthy, and prepared as you approach your third trimester.

• Learn about the best sleeping positions for your growing baby bump.
• Start doing gentle pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) to support your bladder and prepare for delivery.
• Talk with your partner and doctors about your birth plan.
• Figure out your hospital transport plan—it's good to be prepared!
• Notify your employer now to arrange maternity leave, and remind your partner (female partners included!) to notify theirs for paternity leave.
• Get ready for your glucose screening test, which your doctor will likely schedule between 24 and 28 weeks to detect gestational diabetes.

Signs to Watch Out For

Unsure if your aches and pains are a usual part of pregnancy? Call your doctor or midwife right away if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• A gush of clear fluid (which could be your water breaking)
• A significant decrease in your baby's movements
• Painful or regular contractions (more than 4 to 6 in one hour)
• Severe swelling in your face or hands, or a severe headache (which could be signs of preeclampsia)
• A fever or chills

Being 25 weeks pregnant is an exciting time filled with new sensations as your baby grows stronger. Listen to your body, rest when you need to, and don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team with any questions. You're doing great!

Got a question or story about being 25 weeks pregnant? Share your experiences in the ParentTeam Moms and Dads Facebook group.