If a client at 25 weeks' gestation reports her baby jumped in response to a loud noise, what should the nurse explain?

At 25 weeks' gestation, the fetus is developing and becoming increasingly responsive to external stimuli, including sounds. By around 24 weeks, the auditory system is sufficiently developed for the fetus to hear and react to sounds. When the mother reports her baby "jumped" in response to a loud noise, it indicates that the fetus can indeed perceive and respond to auditory stimuli, which is expected at this stage of development. This reaction demonstrates the fetus's increasing sensory awareness, and the ability to respond physically to noise signifies the maturation of its nervous system. This knowledge is crucial for the nurse to communicate effectively with the mother, reinforcing the natural progression of fetal development during pregnancy.