Week 25: Your Baby Recognizes Voices

Something magical is happening now — your baby recognizes your voice! Hearing is so well developed that your little one can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar voices. The baby responds most to the birthing parent's voice, because it is heard both from outside and through the body. The third trimester is approaching, and the baby is building up more and more fat.

Your baby now weighs around 660–700 grams and measures about 35 cm from head to heel. Fat layers are building up under the skin, and the face is gradually becoming rounder. The Moro reflex is in place — the baby reacts by throwing out the arms at sudden sounds. The nostrils are opening, and breathing movements are becoming more regular.

Baby's Development

Size and Growth

Length: About 35 cm from head to heel
Weight: About 650–700 grams
Comparison: The size of a turnip

Key Developmental Milestones

Voice recognition: The baby recognizes their parent's voice and reacts with movements
Partner's voice: The other parent's voice is also gradually becoming familiar
Moro reflex: The baby throws out its arms at sudden sounds
Fat layers: More and more fat under the skin — the face is becoming rounder
Nostrils: The nostrils are opening, and the baby is practicing breathing movements
Capillary network: Complete — the baby now has a rosy-pink color
Spine: Vertebrae are hardening and forming into the characteristic curves

Voice Recognition and Bonding

The baby recognizes the birthing parent's voice because it is transmitted both through the air and through vibrations in the body. This means their voice is always the clearest and most recognizable to the newborn. Research shows that newborns prefer voices and music they heard regularly during pregnancy.

The other parent's voice is more muffled but is still recognizable. Speaking to the bump regularly creates a familiar soundscape that gives the baby a sense of security after birth. Some families read a children's book aloud every evening — a wonderful routine that can be continued after the birth.

Research has also shown that babies can recognize specific melodies they heard often during pregnancy. If you sing a particular song regularly now, it may have a soothing effect on the baby after birth.

The Moro Reflex

The Moro reflex that develops now is one of the oldest reflexes we have as a species. It causes the baby to throw out its arms at sudden sounds or movements, and then draw them back in an embracing motion. After birth, this is one of the first reflexes checked by midwives and pediatricians to assess neurological maturity.

The reflex is a survival instinct that likely stems from a time when infants needed to cling to their parents. It gradually disappears during the baby's first 4–6 months and is replaced by more controlled movements.

Your Body

Common Symptoms

Heartburn: Affects up to 80 percent of pregnant women
Hemorrhoids: Increased blood volume and pressure from the uterus
Frequent urination: Pressure on the bladder from the baby
Itchy skin: The skin is stretching — use moisturizer daily
Back pain: The center of gravity is shifting and straining the back
Pregnancy brain: More forgetful than usual — hormonal and temporary

Heartburn and Dietary Tips

Up to 80 percent of all pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy, according to the NHS and ACOG. At week 25, symptoms can worsen because the uterus is growing and pushing the stomach upward. Here are concrete measures that help:

Dietary adjustments:

Eat several small meals instead of three large ones
Avoid spicy, acidic, and very fatty food, especially in the evening
Drink fluids between meals, not during them
Avoid coffee, chocolate, and carbonated drinks
Chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly

Practical measures:

Don't lie down right after eating — wait at least two hours
Sleep with your upper body elevated (extra pillow under your head)
Avoid tight clothing around the abdomen
Antacids are safe — ask your midwife for a recommendation

Talk to your midwife or doctor if heartburn becomes very uncomfortable. There are safe medications available during pregnancy.

Good to Know

Calcium for Your Baby's Bones

Your baby needs calcium for bone development, and it is important that you get enough through your diet. WHO and AAP guidelines recommend around 1,000 mg of calcium daily during pregnancy.

Good calcium sources:

Milk and yogurt (about 120 mg per glass)
Cheese (about 200 mg per 30 grams)
Broccoli and kale
Almonds and sesame seeds
Sardines with bones
Fortified plant milks

Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption. The recommended dose is 600–800 IU daily, with supplements particularly important during winter months or with limited sun exposure.

Pregnancy Brain

Many pregnant women find they become more forgetful during this period. This is sometimes called "pregnancy brain" and is completely normal. It is caused by hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the fact that your brain is occupied with many new things. Research shows that pregnant women actually devote more brain capacity to social cognition and bonding — the brain is reorganizing itself.

Use lists, calendar apps, and checklists to stay on top of everything. These are especially useful tools during this period.

Hemorrhoids — Prevention and Treatment

Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels in the anal area and are common during pregnancy. They are caused by increased blood volume, pressure from the uterus, and the fact that progesterone makes the walls of the blood vessels more relaxed.

Prevention:

Eat fiber-rich food (fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes)
Drink at least 2 liters of water daily
Stay physically active with daily walks
Avoid sitting on the toilet for too long

Talk to your midwife or doctor about creams and treatments that are safe to use during pregnancy.

Plan Your Final Preparations

The third trimester is approaching. Here is an overview of what you can start thinking about:

Nursery and equipment:

Crib or bassinet
A firm, suitable mattress
Changing table or changing mat
Baby clothes in a small size
Start making a checklist of what you need

Birth preparation:

Think through your birth preferences and wishes
Birth preparation classes (typically start around weeks 28–32)
Hospital or birth center visit if offered

Administrative:

Plan your parental leave and who will take when
Notify your employer in good time before leave starts
Learn about parental leave applications in your country

Exercise and Activity

WHO and ACOG recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week for pregnant women.

Good activities at week 25:

Swimming (relieves the body, reduces swelling)
Walking (20–30 minutes daily)
Prenatal yoga (strengthens and stretches)
Prenatal exercise classes adapted for the third trimester

Benefits of exercising now:

Reduces back pain
Helps prevent constipation and hemorrhoids
Improves sleep quality
Strengthens the body for birth
Gives more energy and a better mood

For Your Partner

Talk to the bump! The baby can recognize your voice already now
Read a children's book aloud every evening — it is great for bonding and gives the baby familiar sounds
Help with meal planning — several small meals are better than three large ones now
Notice if heartburn is bothering her at night and offer an extra pillow
Start thinking about practical preparations together — nursery, equipment, and leave

Tips for Week 25

Sing or read aloud: The baby hears you clearly, and familiar sounds bring comfort after birth
Fiber-rich food: Oatmeal, lentils, fruit, and vegetables help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids
Sleep with an elevated upper body: An extra pillow under your head reduces heartburn at night
Moisturizing cream: Apply to your belly daily to relieve itching and keep skin hydrated
Calcium-rich foods: Yogurt, cheese, and milk ensure the baby gets enough calcium for bones
Drink enough water: At least 2 liters daily — helps with constipation and keeps amniotic fluid levels optimal
Pelvic floor exercises: Continue with daily exercises — an investment in your body for birth and beyond

When to Contact a Doctor

Contact your doctor or midwife if you experience:

Rectal bleeding that does not stop
Very severe heartburn that does not respond to measures
Pain or burning when urinating (could be a urinary tract infection)
Sudden swelling in the face or hands
Fever over 38 degrees Celsius
Clearly changed fetal movement pattern

Did You Know?

Your voice is number one: Your baby recognizes your voice because it is transmitted both through the air and through vibrations in your body. That is why your voice is always the clearest to the newborn — the only voice heard from two sources simultaneously.
Music as medicine: Research shows that newborns prefer voices and music they heard regularly during pregnancy. If you sing a particular song often now, it may have a soothing effect on your baby after birth.
The Moro reflex is ancient: The Moro reflex that develops now is one of the oldest reflexes we have as a species. It causes the baby to throw its arms outward at sudden sounds or movements. After birth, it is one of the first reflexes checked by medical staff.
The baby is gaining weight: Your baby now weighs about the same as a small cauliflower — around 650–700 grams. Over the next 15 weeks, weight will more than quintuple!
The nostrils are opening: For the first time, the nostrils are opening, even though the baby is not yet breathing air. Breathing movements with amniotic fluid are training the lungs and diaphragm — important preparation for the first breath.

Common Questions About Week 25

Is it normal to become forgetful during pregnancy?

Yes, pregnancy brain is a real phenomenon. Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the brain's preoccupation with many new things can make you more forgetful than usual. Research shows that the brain actually reorganizes itself during pregnancy. It is temporary and completely normal. Use lists and calendar apps to stay on top of things.

What can I do about hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy and are caused by increased blood volume and pressure from the uterus. Prevent them with fiber-rich food (fruit, vegetables, whole grains), enough fluid (at least 2 liters daily), and daily activity. Avoid sitting on the toilet for too long. Talk to your midwife or doctor about creams that are safe to use during pregnancy.

How much should I be drinking daily?

WHO recommends at least 2 liters of fluid daily for pregnant women, and more in warm weather or with physical activity. Water is best, but milk, unsweetened tea, and soups also count. Adequate fluid is important for amniotic fluid levels, helps with constipation, and reduces the risk of urinary tract infections.

Should I be worried about back pain?

Back pain is very common during pregnancy and is caused by the shifting center of gravity and hormone-related ligament loosening. Good posture, warm baths, and gentle exercise like swimming and yoga help. If pain is severe or radiates down the legs, speak to your midwife about a referral to a physiotherapist.

Can the baby respond to music?

Absolutely! The baby hears music clearly and may respond with movements. Research shows that fetuses can distinguish between different pieces of music and even have preferences. Classical music and gentle melodies can calm the baby, while loud, sudden music can trigger the Moro reflex. Feel free to sing or play music near your bump.

What is the difference between normal itching and cholestasis of pregnancy?

Normal itching on the belly is caused by the skin stretching and is relieved with moisturizer. Cholestasis of pregnancy causes intense itching, especially on the hands and soles of the feet, and can occur without a visible rash. According to the NHS and ACOG, intense itching should always be investigated with a blood test (bile acids). The condition affects about 1–2 percent of pregnancies.

Next week: Your baby opens its eyes for the very first time!