PREGNANCY WEEK 25
Your baby continues to mature: his brain is getting bigger and the brain cells are still developing. He has the ability to respond to all his senses. More complex cells, whose function is to do with consciousness, memory, perception and the ability to learn, also develop. The tiny bone of the spine begins to form. His hands are developed and his dexterity is improving all the time. He can grasp things in his fist and even plays with his umbilical cord by pulling on it.
Your baby's not the only one with more hair; your hair may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.
You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your doctor has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.
When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your doctor will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.
Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history, favorite locations, or cherished literary or film characters. Check out a couple of baby-name books to help you brainstorm, too
