Week 25

What’s happening this week

You…

• may find it hard to sleep well – try lying on your side with a pillow under your upper leg, to take the weight off your bump
• if your ankles start to swell, rest with your feet up when you can
• if you are gaining weight rapidly, you may have a glucose tolerance test done to check for pregnancy diabetes (see Week 14).





Your baby…

• can still turn somersaults inside you but is beginning to fill the space in your uterus
• has periods of sleeping and waking
• can recognise the sound of your voice
• may become very active when you take a bath or shower.

Blooming? You may find that your hair and nails are growing faster than usual, and your hair is becoming thicker – two bonuses of the pregnancy hormones circulating in your body!This week we think about your relationship with your partner now, and after the baby’s born…




Your changing relationship

Few couples go through pregnancy without finding their sex life goes through changes – in the first months you may have found that sickness and tiredness meant you weren’t often in the mood. During the middle months, though, some couples rediscover the romance. If you used to have sex to try to make a baby, you can now remind yourself of the pleasures of sex that’s just for fun.




Some women feel awkward about their changing shape, though, and if your breasts are very tender, this can make love-making uncomfortable. You may want to experiment with different positions. Even if you don’t feel like sex, you can still be close to your partner through kissing, cuddling, massage… whatever your imagination can dream up.




Think about the future

You and your partner could talk about what you’d both like to happen when your baby arrives. Who will do the night feeds and the nappy changing? Discussing these things now can prevent sudden surprises later!




Why breastmilk matters

• breastmilk is tailor made for babies – it’s free and instant
• breastfed babies have fewer gastrointestinal problems, middle ear and chest infections
• the antibodies in breastmilk help to reduce illness and increase resistance to infection
• breastfeeding for at least four to six months may help lessen allergy problems
• unlike infant formula, breastmilk contains the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA, important in brain and eye development
• breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first four to six months
• infants’ eyesight, speech and jaw development are all enhanced by breastfeeding
• breastfeeding may lower the risk of your baby developing diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease.

How is your baby lying?

Starting from around now, at your antenatal visits your LMC may note which way your baby is lying or ‘presenting’.

Breech– your baby is bottom downwards; there will be time for your baby to turn for several weeks more yet.

Vertex or Cephalic– either of these terms means that your baby is head down.

Transverse– this means the baby is neither head up nor head down but lying crosswise in the uterus.

The ‘PP’ on your notes refers to the ‘Presenting Part’ of your baby – i.e., which bit would present itself to the world first. Most babies are head down by the time labour starts, so this is usually the top of the head.

Stretch marks

5 ways to beat the mid-term blues

If you’re having a down day, try one of these pick-me-ups:

1. Go and see a film with a friend and forget your worries for a while.
2. Have a good old moan to someone who’ll listen (promise you’ll do the same for them one day!) or a good cry – letting out the tension can work wonders.
3. Sleep in or go to bed early – tiredness can add to your irritability
4. Have dinner out with your partner or a friend – and if you fancy banana pizza – why not?
5. Give yourself a treat – a new lipstick, a hair appointment, a massage, a manicure (or all of the above)… you deserve it!

Unwanted hair?

Because of the pregnancy hormones, some women do grow excess hair, but it should fade away again after you’ve had your baby. You can pluck or shave it if you would like – remembering that your skin may be more sensitive, too! – many women avoid electrolysis during pregnancy just to be on the safe side.

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