Pregnancy Diary: 25 & 26 Weeks Pregnant

Welcome to my 25 and 26 weeks pregnant update – a fortnight that brought some wonderful firsts alongside challenging symptoms.

Updated April 2026 – Reflecting on my 25-26 week pregnancy journey from 2020. This fortnight brought my first face-to-face midwife appointment (during COVID restrictions), hearing baby’s heartbeat for the first time, and battling a summer heatwave whilst heavily pregnant.

Week 25: First Face-to-Face Midwife Appointment
Hearing Baby’s Heartbeat
Surviving a Heatwave Whilst Pregnant
Second Trimester Fatigue
Dealing with Pregnancy Acid Reflux
Week 26: Six Months Milestone
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions
All my pregnancy diary blog posts:

Pregnant woman at 26 weeks showing baby bump and nursery preparation

Week 25: First Face-to-Face Midwife Appointment

After months of phone consultations due to COVID-19, I finally had my first face-to-face midwife appointment at 25 weeks. It felt strange wearing a mask in the warm weather – I kept needing to lift it for sips of water because I was overheating. Pregnancy and face masks in summer are not a great combination!

It was a student midwife conducting the appointment, supervised by another qualified midwife. They went through my full health history again – similar to the 8-week booking appointment – covering family medical background, medications, and any concerns I had. They explained that at my next appointment (28 weeks), they’d start measuring my bump and doing regular blood tests.

Hearing Baby’s Heartbeat

The highlight of the appointment was hearing the heartbeat for the first time. All my scans up to this point had been silent, so actually hearing that steady rhythm was emotional. I recorded it on my phone so I could share it with my partner, who’d already missed three scans due to COVID visitor restrictions. Being able to bring home that recording meant everything.

Surviving a Heatwave Whilst Pregnant

After the appointment, we were hit by a summer heatwave. I’ve always struggled with heat, but being pregnant made it ten times worse. Your body temperature runs higher during pregnancy anyway, and adding 30-degree weather on top was brutal.

I spent two days camped out in the spare bedroom with a fan pointed directly at me, wearing as little as possible. Here’s what helped:

Staying in the coolest room of the house (usually north-facing or upstairs)
Cold flannels on the back of my neck and wrists
Freezing a water bottle and placing it near the fan for cooler air
Having frequent cool showers rather than one long bath
Drinking water constantly – I was getting through 3-4 litres a day

If you’re pregnant during hot weather, don’t push yourself to be productive. Your body is already working overtime growing a baby. Rest is essential.

Second Trimester Fatigue

I’ve been dealing with intense fatigue these past two weeks – the kind where you’re completely zapped of energy no matter how much you rest. Everyone talks about the ‘second trimester energy boost’, but I definitely didn’t get that memo!

One day I couldn’t even stand in the shower, so I had to sit down and have a bath instead. I was sleeping 10-12 hours a night plus naps during the day, but it made no difference. The exhaustion was bone-deep.

Looking back, I think my low iron levels were partly to blame. If you’re experiencing extreme fatigue, it’s worth mentioning it to your midwife – they can check your iron, vitamin D, and thyroid levels to rule out any deficiencies that might be making things worse.

Dealing with Pregnancy Acid Reflux

Acid reflux has become a daily battle. I woke up one morning with acid shooting up my throat, coughing and certain I was about to be sick. It’s gone from occasional discomfort to a constant, unpleasant companion.

The problem gets worse as your baby grows and pushes up against your stomach. The valve between your stomach and oesophagus also relaxes during pregnancy due to hormones, making it easier for acid to escape.

What’s helped me manage it:

Propping myself up with extra pillows at night (sleeping flat makes it worse)
Eating smaller meals more frequently rather than three large ones
Avoiding acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus, and anything spicy
Not eating within 2-3 hours of bedtime<
Keeping Gaviscon or Rennie antacids handy (pregnancy-safe)

Week 26: Six Months Milestone

Reaching 26 weeks felt significant – a full six months of carrying this little boy inside me. It’s strange how time both drags and flies during pregnancy. Some days feel endless (especially when you’re uncomfortable), but then you look back and realise how far you’ve come.

At this point, the baby weighs around 2 pounds and is roughly the size of a lettuce. His lungs are developing, he’s starting to open his eyes, and if he were born now, he’d have a fighting chance with specialist neonatal care. Knowing that makes me feel both protective and amazed at what my body is doing.

In other news, our safari-themed nursery is coming along beautifully, and I can’t wait to share it when it’s all finished! We’re just waiting for the curtains and a lampshade to complete the room.

Final Thoughts

Weeks 25 and 26 brought a real mix of wonderful moments (hearing the heartbeat!) and tough physical symptoms (heatwave + acid reflux = misery). But reaching the six-month mark felt like a proper achievement. We’re past the halfway point now, and things are getting very real.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do you first hear baby’s heartbeat at a midwife appointment?
In the UK, you typically hear the heartbeat using a handheld Doppler device at your 25-28 week appointment (sometimes earlier if needed). Before this, you’ll have seen the heartbeat on scan screens at your 12-week and 20-week appointments, but won’t have heard it out loud.

How can I cope with pregnancy during a heatwave?
Stay in the coolest room, use fans, take frequent cool showers, drink 3-4 litres of water daily, wear loose cotton clothing, and avoid going out during the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm). Use cold flannels on pulse points like wrists and neck. Don’t feel guilty about resting – your body needs it.

Is severe acid reflux normal in the second trimester?
Yes, acid reflux often worsens as pregnancy progresses because your growing baby pushes your stomach upwards and pregnancy hormones relax the valve between your stomach and oesophagus. Sleep propped up, eat smaller meals, avoid trigger foods, and ask your midwife about safe antacids like Gaviscon or Rennie.

Why am I so tired in my second trimester?
While many women get an energy boost in the second trimester, others continue experiencing fatigue due to low iron, growing baby demands on your body, poor sleep quality, or other nutrient deficiencies. Speak to your midwife if fatigue is severe – they can run blood tests to check for anaemia or thyroid issues.