The first trimester is a very important period for every expectant mother, because the correctness of the baby’s development depends on this period. It is very important for every woman to know as much information as possible about her situation and what is going on inside her. Therefore we will try to tell you as much as possible about the important things that happen during the 11th week of pregnancy.
Week 11 of pregnancy
The baby at 11 weeks of pregnancy is in an active stage of development, and all the processes inside the mother’s tummy are happening very quickly. If we talk more specifically about the processes taking place, the following can be noted:
- The liver is almost fully activated, which marks the beginning of bile production;
- The pancreas begins smoothly producing insulin in small amounts;
- The heart beats at a rate of 140-160 beats per minute, which allows it to pump up to 23 liters of blood a day through the still small body of a child;
- Significant changes also occur in the genital system – the rudiments of the prostate gland appear, and in girls the ovaries differentiate. Due to these processes, the external sexual characteristics become more distinguishable;
- The body develops downy hair and the rudiments of sweat glands.
Regarding the baby’s body movements, the mother does not feel them yet. At 11 weeks pregnant, the fetus makes certain movements, but they are not yet coordinated. The baby can bend arms and legs, squeeze fists and fingers separately, but there is no awareness in these movements. While the baby spends most of the time in a drowsy state, but waking intervals will gradually increase.
The baby “learns” to grimace, or rather facial muscles begin to contract periodically – this is the brain starting a test run all the reflex processes. Around this stage, the fetus develops the sucking reflex. Taste receptors are already working, which allow the baby to distinguish the taste of amniotic fluid, which he accidentally swallows during the arbitrary opening of the mouth. By the way, the digestive and excretory systems of the fetus, which are still completely dependent on the activities of the pregnant woman’s body, begin to work due to these swallows.
Fetal size at 11 weeks of pregnancy
The baby at 11 weeks of pregnancy already reaches 65-80 mm, which allows the baby to become more visible on the ultrasound machine monitor. However, its size is not yet too significant for parents to start arguing about what the baby will look like the most.
Regarding body proportions, the head is still noticeably more imposing than the torso and limbs. However, the proportions are steadily changing – the tummy is rounded, the fingers and limbs are lengthened, and the facial features become more prominent.
What happens to a mom’s body during the 11th week of pregnancy?
Most women feel relatively normal at 11 weeks of pregnancy, and sometimes even very wonderful. Very often there is a rapid and dramatic change in physical sensations and the course of symptoms, and more specifically, the following can be noted:
- Toxicosis (if it was in the early term) is almost uncomfortable, and sometimes it stops abruptly at all. It is still quite normal to feel some nausea when eating or seeing certain foods, as well as smells, which can be avoided;
- If there was no appetite or there were some problems with digestion, then everything can change exactly the opposite, which is undoubtedly positive for the health of women and the development of the baby;
- The improvement in mood and morale is a result of the fact that the body is used to its condition and hormones do not cause such excitement.
But the body continues to adjust to the needs of the growing fetus inside the mother’s body. The plus side is that all these processes are not so acutely felt physically. Most women’s breasts continue to grow, but the rate of this process is slower, so wearing clothes and touching are not painful.
An expectant mother can experience both an increase in strength and absolute weakness – these conditions are considered the norm. On the plus side, as a rule, the painful sensitivity to your present condition, the people around you and other irritants is already gone. A woman begins to see her situation as more positive, which has a positive impact on the quality of communication with her loved ones.
Regarding other changes to a woman’s body, they also occur. The abdomen gradually rounds out – this is considered normal. However, sometimes the size of the abdomen is more rounded already at such a small term, which can be considered a consequence of the large amount of amniotic fluid. Also quite often a pregnant woman may experience significant weight gain due to excessive food intake and failure to comply with the norms recommended by the doctor.
The 11th week of pregnancy: what to pay attention to
The expectant mother should already realize the importance of her position and personal responsibility for herself and her baby, so she should be careful about her health, rhythm of life, diet and other things. Pregnancy 11 weeks – this indicates that an important period called the first trimester is coming to an end. A woman usually starts to feel much better, but this does not mean that you can relax.
You still need to be careful about your diet – what you eat, how much you put on your plate, when and how many times you eat. Also regulate the amount of water you drink and its quality, and forgetting about this will not work because of the frequent urge to urinate. The good thing is that at this stage it is quite rare to have strange food preferences.
Particular attention should be paid to vaginal discharge at 11 weeks of pregnancy. In the normal course of pregnancy discharge should not have a pronounced color and odor, definitely should not be an admixture of blood or pus. If you find the slightest deviation from the norm, you should consult a gynecologist to determine the cause of this phenomenon.
The 11th week of pregnancy: what to discuss with your doctor
Even with good indicators and the pregnancy in general, the first thing you should ask your doctor about is taking vitamin complexes. If you have not taken them up to this point, you should start, although based on generally accepted norms to include supplements, vitamin complexes and folic acid in your diet should have been immediately after you came to understand your situation.
It is worth noting that in the 11th week of pregnancy, the baby needs calcium, fluoride, iron and iodine for normal development, and folic acid to maintain the normal course of pregnancy. There may also be some problems regarding the lack of progesterone in a pregnant woman’s body, which can be replenished artificially (in the form of oral medications or vaginal infections).
There are also several reasons for every pregnant woman to see a doctor:
- Worsening of toxicosis;
- Appearance of dizziness;
- The appearance of a rash on the body;
- Loss of hair, peeling of the skin, etc;
- Atypical vaginal discharge;
- Increased or decreased blood pressure;
- Increased body temperature;
- Pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.
The 11th week of pregnancy: tips
Even if 11 weeks of pregnancy has brought you relief and general improvement, it does not mean you can relax. You may still get tired quickly, not get enough sleep, and feel generally weak in your body. Doctors advise you to spend more time resting, and if you are busy, you will have to switch to lighter work or reduce your workday.
It is at this point that most expectant mothers prefer to inform friends, colleagues and acquaintances about their interesting situation, if the symptoms did not reveal this earlier. This is something to think about – you may want to gather some people you consider close to you for a little party on this occasion.
Some pregnant women may still have some anxiety and even fears, which are worth dealing with. If you are experiencing this, soothing music, a consultation with a specialist (in the world of modern technology everything is becoming easier) or a conversation with the man you love can help. By the way, it is the latter may be very effective, as a woman expects support from the man she loves.
Important advice – if for some reason you have not yet been to a doctor’s appointment, now is the time to take this issue seriously. You will need to take all the necessary tests, undergo an ultrasound and visit all the doctors on the list provided.
Many women in the first trimester experience a problem in the form of pimples on the skin. By the end of this term, there is much less acne, but you should use special products to completely defeat it. In view of the fact that you are in an interesting situation, it is not recommended to use the usual cosmetics. Replace the creams, tonics and ointments can be pharmacy products that will not harm the health of the mother and her baby.
Regarding the body, you could lose a couple of pounds during the toxicosis, which is quite normal. But at this stage of pregnancy, nausea and vomiting tend to recede – it improves digestion and increases appetite. You may notice that your weight and volume are gradually increasing, which is also quite normal. However, you should not always respond to your body’s call by eating portion after portion, the quantity and quality of food should be kept under control.
Do not forget that pregnant women benefit from moderate physical activity. Of course, jogging and strength training will have to forget, but swimming or special exercises for pregnant women is quite welcome. By the way, not always necessary to go to gyms or use the services of trainers. If you have enough space at home, you can do gymnastics at home.
It is also worth paying close attention to your emotional state. If you feel the need to talk, it is worth asking loved ones or consulting a specialist. Self-coaching and listening to music can help you to cope with anxiety and fears, and you should also read more and pay attention to your creative ideas.
The 11th week of pregnancy: questions and answers
What should be the abdomen at 11 weeks of pregnancy?
The abdomen of a pregnant woman at this stage may still be almost invisible, except for a slightly rounded bottom. In some cases, women have a noticeable rounding of the abdomen, but this can be attributed more to an increased appetite.
Why does my stomach hurt at 11 weeks of pregnancy?
Pain in the lower and lateral parts of the abdomen is more associated with changes in the position and size of the uterus. Due to the active growth of the organ, the ligaments supporting it continue to stretch. The pain is usually not constant or excessively severe, otherwise you should see a doctor or call an ambulance.
Where is the uterus at 11 weeks of pregnancy?
The baby is actively developing, which fully affects the body and organs of the expectant mother. This is especially noticeable by the position of the uterus, which is slightly protruding from its usual position by about 3-4 centimeters above the pubic line. This position can affect the well-being of the woman, who is now very uncomfortable in tight clothes.
What does an ultrasound scan at 11 weeks’ gestation show?
In an ultrasound scan at 11 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor notes that the baby reaches a size of 65 mm, but in reality these figures may be slightly larger. You can already distinguish the clear outlines of the head, arms and legs, and with good equipment you can distinguish the baby’s facial features.
How many months is 11 weeks pregnant?
If you calculate in months, the 11th week of pregnancy is almost the end of the third month. This term is called the first trimester.
