At 25 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a rutabaga, and hair is starting to come in with actual color and texture, not just the fine, colorless lanugo that's covered the body for weeks. Your baby's skin is also gaining more body fat underneath, making it a little less see-through and wrinkled than it was earlier.

If your dates feel confusing, remember that gestational age counts from the first day of your last period (LMP), not from conception — so "25 weeks pregnant" usually means about 23 weeks since ovulation. For the full timeline, see our pregnancy week-by-week guide, or find out exactly how your due date is calculated. If you're picking up from last week, catch up on 24 weeks pregnant first.

Diagram comparing a rutabaga to a 25 week fetus, showing hair color and texture beginning to develop — At 25 weeks, your baby is about the size of a rutabaga, with hair color and texture beginning to develop.

Key takeaways

Baby is about the size of a rutabaga (roughly 34.6 cm, head to heel) and weighs around 660 grams.
Hair is starting to come in with real color and texture.
More body fat is filling out under the skin, making it plumper and less wrinkled.

What "25 Weeks Pregnant" Actually Means

Using standard gestational dating, week 25 starts about 23 weeks after ovulation, placing you in the final weeks of the second trimester. In fetal-age terms (counting from conception rather than your last period), this is closer to "23 weeks post-conception."

This stretch of weeks is generally when your baby starts looking noticeably plumper on ultrasound, as fat accumulation begins to smooth out the more lean, wrinkled appearance from earlier in the second trimester.

Baby Size at 25 Weeks

At 25 weeks, your baby is about the size of a rutabaga — roughly 34.6 centimeters long, measured head to heel, and weighing around 660 grams. (Source: Baby Your Baby, Utah Department of Health)

Hair, Skin, and Filling Out

This week, more body fat is building up under your baby's skin, making it plumper and less wrinkled than it looked a few weeks ago. (Source: Cleveland Clinic) At the same time, hair on the scalp is starting to come in with real color and texture — though the color you see on an ultrasound (or at birth) isn't always a reliable preview of your baby's permanent hair color, which can shift over the first year or two.

Blood vessels in the lungs also continue maturing this week, building on the groundwork laid a couple of weeks ago, as your baby's body keeps preparing organ systems for life outside the uterus.

Diagram showing a 25 week fetus with hair developing on the scalp and body fat filling out under the skin — At 25 weeks, hair is coming in with real color and texture, and body fat is filling out under the skin.

What You Might Notice at 25 Weeks Pregnant

Week 25 tends to bring a mix of a growing belly and familiar third-trimester-adjacent symptoms. Here's what commonly shows up:

More noticeable Braxton Hicks contractions, appearing as occasional, painless tightening in the belly.

Backaches, as your center of gravity continues shifting forward.

Hemorrhoids, which can develop as pressure increases in the pelvic area.

Swelling in the feet and ankles, especially by the end of the day.

Trouble sleeping, as the belly grows large enough to limit comfortable positions.

Increased appetite, as your baby's growth accelerates.

Forgetfulness, sometimes called "pregnancy brain," which some people notice more in the second half of pregnancy.

It's also completely normal to have few or no symptoms yet. Symptom timing and intensity vary widely from person to person and even between pregnancies for the same person.

What's Happening in Your Body

More body fat fills out under the skin, making baby look plumper and less wrinkled.
Hair on the scalp comes in with real color and texture.
Blood vessels in the lungs continue maturing.
Braxton Hicks contractions may become more noticeable.
Appetite often increases as your baby's growth accelerates.

Tips for Week 25

Eat fiber-rich foods and stay hydrated to help manage hemorrhoids.

Try a pregnancy pillow or extra support if getting comfortable at night is a struggle.

Elevate your feet in the evening if mild swelling shows up.

Keep a small notepad or app for reminders if forgetfulness is frustrating you — it's common and temporary.

Eat balanced, nutrient-dense meals as your appetite and your baby's growth both pick up.

Keep taking your prenatal vitamin — steady nutrition continues to matter through the rest of pregnancy.

Tips for Partners

Help with reminders and scheduling if forgetfulness is showing up — a shared calendar can help a lot.
Take over grocery runs as appetite and cravings continue shifting.
Offer a foot rub or help propping up swollen feet in the evening.
Ask about comfort at night, and help adjust pillows or sleep setup if needed.

FAQ

How big is my baby at 25 weeks pregnant? About the size of a rutabaga — roughly 34.6 centimeters long, measured head to heel, and weighing around 660 grams.

Will my baby's hair color at birth be permanent? Not necessarily — hair color and texture at birth can shift noticeably over the first year or two as genetics continue to express themselves.

Why does my baby look chubbier on the ultrasound now? More body fat is filling out under the skin around this stage, making baby look plumper and less wrinkled than earlier in the second trimester.

What causes hemorrhoids during pregnancy? Increased pressure in the pelvic area and changes in blood flow can make hemorrhoids more likely, especially in the second half of pregnancy.

What symptoms are normal at 25 weeks pregnant? Braxton Hicks contractions, backaches, hemorrhoids, swelling, trouble sleeping, increased appetite, and forgetfulness are all common at this stage.

Is "pregnancy brain" a real thing? Many people report increased forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating during pregnancy, and while research is still evolving, it's a common and typically temporary experience.

When is my next prenatal appointment likely to be? Many providers continue with appointments roughly every four weeks through the rest of the second trimester, though your provider will confirm your specific schedule.

Pregnancy Checklist at Week 25

Keep taking a prenatal vitamin daily
Eat fiber-rich foods and stay hydrated to help manage hemorrhoids
Try a pregnancy pillow if nighttime comfort is a struggle
Elevate your feet if mild swelling shows up
Use reminders or a notepad if forgetfulness is frustrating you
Eat balanced, nutrient-dense meals as appetite increases
Note any severe cramping, heavy bleeding, or reduced movement and call your provider if it occurs

Related guides

24 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Baby Size & What to Expect — what happened the week before, as the lungs' basic structure finished forming
Pregnancy Week by Week: A Complete Guide — see what happens in every week and trimester, from implantation to full term
How Is Your Due Date Actually Calculated? — the exact formula behind your due date, plus a free calculator

Week 25 brings a plumper, less wrinkled look as body fat fills out under the skin, along with hair finally coming in with real color and texture.