25 Weeks Pregnant

You’ve been playing Name That Baby for a while now. Ask yourself these questions before committing to a baby name: What do the initials spell? Are there awkward rhymes? What are any likely nicknames?

Consider the cadence, and be careful about combinations that could turn your child's name into a joke. How long will it take for Savannah Anna to become Savannah Anna Banana?

Your uterus is now the size of a soccer ball — and all that stretching may be causing your tummy to itch.

Skin irritation is a common problem that tends to appear during the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy, when you’re really starting to show. Unfortunately, it only seems to get more pronounced as time passes and your belly continues to grow. Slather on moisturizer or calamine lotion if needed.

If a 30-minute meal takes 20 minutes more than you've got, you need a speedy kitchen at your service. Make sure you have the right gear on hand, and use it.

Your microwave can do more than warm a cup of tea or reheat leftovers: It can even be used to cook a whole dinner!

On the flip side, a slow cooker can be your best time-saver. Don't let the name fool you: Toss in whatever you have in the house, including meat, beans, veggies and broth; turn it on in the morning; and come home at the end of the day to a delicious hot meal — plus plenty of leftovers for tomorrow.

Cleanup is a breeze too. Just rinse the pot and run it through the dishwasher, but check your directions first.

Rely on your blender to produce smoothies in seconds, your food processor to chop everything before you count to five and a toaster oven to warm or melt anything in less time than it takes to preheat your oven.

Depression during pregnancy and postpartum depression (PPD) are surprisingly common. Some symptoms include crying, irritability, a lack of appetite and poor sleep, among others.

One study suggests that downplaying positive emotions — aka “I don't deserve to be happy” — might increase your risk for the condition. Sound familiar? Talk to your doctor as soon as you can about getting help.

Need some sweet snack ideas? When you've been hit by the midday slump, nosh on carrot or oat bran muffins (they can replace donuts and coffee cake) along with a wedge of cheese or a container of yogurt.

Or pick yourself up with apple wedges and peanut butter, all-fruit jam spread on a whole wheat English muffin, cottage cheese with strawberries, tangerines and cinnamon, yogurt topped with walnuts and dried fruit, or a smoothie.

Your eyes are yet another seemingly random part of the body affected by those kooky hormones. During this time, your vision might be less sharp — Is that you, Honey? — and your contact lenses might be less comfortable to wear.

Another twist in the eye story: Even though you're retaining fluid, ironically, your eyes may be drier than ever.

But don't worry — eye symptoms, like skin symptoms, will disappear after delivery. Just be sure to let your practitioner know what's going on, so your doc can "keep an eye on things."

You don't have to buy processed food if you want to stock up on healthy staples.

When it comes to produce, snacks and dairy products, think small, convenient and ready-to-nibble — look for single-serve packs of yogurt, 8-ounce tubs of cottage cheese, individually wrapped string cheese, mini packs of baby carrots (which you should still wash before eating), and small boxes or bags of raisins, nuts, dried fruit and trail mix.

And don't forget to load up on small cans of tomato or vegetable juice. That way, no matter how busy you are, you can grab and go with a nutritious bite (and sip) in hand.

Other shortcuts you should definitely take: using frozen vegetables and fruits sometimes (though fresh are still best), and choosing fast-cooking cuts of meat and poultry for simple meals like stir-fry and fajitas.