Week 25 of Pregnancy (Trimester 2 of Preganancy)

After a relaxing holiday, we flew back home towards the end of this week. I am relieved that everything was fine with me, pregnancy wise. I did take my hospital notes with me, in case I was ill and needed to see a doctor, but everything was perfectly normal. Poor Rosie had a stomach upset, and Em got the chickenpox! Fortunately we have all had chickenpox before – the antibodies in my blood will protect both myself and my baby from the virus. Exposure to the virus for women between 8 and 20 weeks of pregnancy can pose risks for the developing fetus if there is no immunity in the mother. If you are unsure, see your doctor immediately.

Since the last measurements I took, in week 20, I have gained an inch on my chest and hips, and two inches around my bump! I have put on 3 kgs too. With Rosie I put on a total of 13kgs, which is quite normal. Pregnant woman can expect to put on a quarter of their total weight gain between weeks 12 and 20, half between weeks 20 and 30 and the final quarter between weeks 30 and 38. Ony 39% of that weight gain is actual baby. The amniotic fluid and placenta count for 20% and the expanded and strengthened uterus itself accounts for 11% of the total weight gain. For flat-chested ladies like me, it is good to know that 8% of weight gain can be accounted for by increased breast size! That leaves the remaining 22% to increased blood supply.

The fetus’ eyelids and eyebrows are well formed, and the eyes seem less hollow in his head. The bone centres are beginning to harden.

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