Pregnancy Guide: Week 11

Your baby’s ears are where they should be, on either side of her head, and her head makes up half of her total body length right now. She’s a little top-heavy, which is normal, for all ages of children as they grow.

Fingers and toes were forming a couple of weeks ago, and now the webbing is disappearing. Nail beds are forming, and your baby’s hands and feet are looking human now.

11 weeks pregnant is how many months?

You’re almost 3 months pregnant, and your first trimester is almost over. You may notice your nausea subsiding a little at this point, and in another week, or so, it will be completely gone for most people.

Your Baby at 11 Weeks

This week, your baby is developing ovaries if she’s a girl, and human attributes, like individual fingers and toes, nasal passages, a tongue, and nipples are all visible, but still tiny. She’s getting hair follicles now, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be born with hair. Some babies are born with very little, and some are born with a lot.

Your baby is straightening her body out and can now stretch, roll forward, and do somersaults. You probably still don’t feel this movement, but she’s very active right now.

How big is a baby at 11 weeks?

Your baby is now 4.2 centimetres long and weighs 45 grams. As you can tell, your baby has been almost doubling in size, week after week. This rapid growth will slow eventually, but not until these important body systems are created.

Your Body at 11 Weeks

Hopefully, you’re starting to feel hungrier as your morning sickness subsides. That’s great, and you can begin eating more to nourish both you and baby, but don’t go crazy. You’re not actually eating for two. 

You do need more calories, but you don’t need double the calories.

Try eating the most nutritious foods you can, and avoid the junk as much as possible, although it probable that at this point, you’ve been eating too many sweets. You don’t quite look pregnant yet, but your belly is beginning to protrude, and you may feel like people are gossiping. Don’t worry, they probably haven’t noticed anything.

Your body is now producing plenty of progesterone, which is healthy for you during your pregnancy but can cause a lot of bloating and burping. While progesterone slows your digestion to allow more time for baby to absorb the nutrients she needs, it also relaxes your muscles, and you may find, on more than one occasion, that you have some rather embarrassing gas.

If you’re still tired or struggling with morning sickness, that’s normal, but it should be subsiding a bit by now. In a week or two, your morning sickness will likely be gone, and you’ll have more energy again.

Symptoms

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve addressed your frequent urination, but you’re likely still experiencing it. You may find although you need to go to the toilet regularly, you also find you have a dry mouth during pregnancy. Many things are happening in your body right now. You’re producing more of a pregnancy hormone that causes this urge to go, but you also have increased blood flow, and a growing uterus pushing on your bladder. 

Your breasts are growing, too, and they may be sensitive and achy. While they may look enticing, warn your partner now that they may not be comfortable to touch.

If you still gag at the thought of what used to be your favourite food, or you want meat, even though you’re a vegetarian, these weird cravings and aversions will soon disappear. Until then, just try to find healthy substitutes for the things you can’t have.

You feel as if your fetus is much bigger than it is, with the way your trousers fit (or don’t), and the constant bloating. Your gastrointestinal tract has relaxed, and you are feeling gassier than ever, possibly with uncomfortable heartburn.

Your circulatory system is expanding, which can make you feel faint or dizzy. Lie down and keep your feet up if you feel this way, to protect yourself and your growing baby from falls. Rest while you can, and make sure you are aware of changes in your balance that could affect the everyday activities you were able to do normally before.

Tips/Things to do

If you’re struggling with exercise, it may be time to look into prenatal yoga. This is a great way to work up a sweat, through relaxing stretches and poses that are safe for you and your baby. It can reduce anxiety and help prepare your body for giving birth.

Your immune system is suppressed right now to prevent your body from attacking the baby as a foreign entity, so wash your hands regularly. You will need to focus on health while your immune system isn’t. It will be tough for you, in the next 6 months, to ward off germs the way you normally do without taking extra precautions.

Keep eating nuts as a healthy snack—it’s high in protein and gives you energy, and it could also lower your baby’s chances of developing a nut allergy. Nuts are full of vitamins and minerals. Yes, they’re high in fat, but it’s the good kind, so keep eating.

Vitamin C is a healthy choice right now because it supports your baby’s development of muscles, cartilage, bones, and blood vessels. Vitamin C produces collagen that can also help repair damaged tissue. It can lead to a healthy birth weight and a decreased risk of membrane ruptures.

Stay away from teeth whitening chemicals for now. Just keep your teeth clean with brushing and flossing until after your baby comes. Your gums are probably super sensitive, so it will feel good, and keep you healthy.

You may experience a dip in your sex drive right now, and that’s fine. Your pregnancy hormones will affect you in ways you never anticipated, so cuddling and quality time may have to take the place of other activities. Eventually, even if you are in the mood, your belly may get in the way, so it’s completely normal if you have to find some other ways to enjoy each other until you can get back up and running at full speed.

About The Author