By this time, both your baby and your body have gone through some changes. As your baby develops from an embryo to a fetus and forms the entire functioning of a human, your body has seen changes such as a rounder structure, a firmer uterus, and rounder and more tender breasts. Let`s move on to next week. Discover exciting new possibilities with your baby at 11 weeks and your pregnancy.
Baby Growth
Your baby looks more like a functional person. First, your baby`s facial bones are forming and hardening. However, the skin is still transparent. Your baby is already starting to fidget, but not enough for you to notice yet.
You should be able to count 20 fingers by now, seeing as your baby has arms and legs spread apart. More importantly, your baby has learned how to swallow and, of course, is surrounded by amniotic fluid. Hair follicles are in place, as are nipples, tongue, and nose with holes.
At the 11th week of pregnancy, the baby`s external genitals begin to show distinctive features and develop rapidly. The genital organs, which were previously in the form of tissue buds, now begin to appear as the penis or clitoris and the vaginal outer lips. But a little more patience! Genitals do not develop enough to determine sex at 11 weeks. The net development of your baby whether it`s a boy or a girl will be completed in about 3 weeks.
But if you`re still very curious about the answer to this question, let`s give you some material to ponder. In the 11th week of pregnancy, as you approach the 2nd trimester, you will see that your appetite is gradually increasing. If you can`t leave the fridge like high school boys, maybe it`s because there`s one of them inside.
Studies have shown that expectant mothers for a baby boy gain more weight than those expecting a baby girl. Here`s something to think about!
Baby Size
The baby is the size of a lemon or a fig. So, at 11-week pregnancy, you can expect to see baby size 4.1 cm long. As your baby`s body is getting stronger, the body has also lengthened. Your baby weighs 7 or 8 grams at 11 weeks. The most interesting part is that your baby`s head takes up most of the formation in a 1:1 ratio to the body.
Common Body Changes
It`s safe to say that pregnancy is life-changing, and your body will agree that it will never be the same again. Body changes are inevitable during pregnancy, what`s going on this week:
- For women who like curves, your body will definitely please you with its rounder features during pregnancy.
- For the lucky ones, you may have the often admired pregnancy glow. However, some women may experience some acne or rash due to increased hormone production.
- You`ve definitely gained weight and you look bloated at the same time.
Pregnancy Symptoms
Regardless of whether you clearly show a baby protrusion and whether there are any other changes in your body, you will definitely show the following symptoms at week 11 of your pregnancy. Review the list below to compare common symptoms with the symptoms you are experiencing.
- Leg cramps: This is probably one of the biggest events in week 11 of your pregnancy. These cramps will occur during the day, especially if you continue your normal work schedule. However, be prepared for some interruptions while you sleep, as painfully tight leg muscles can disrupt your sleep.
- Linea nigra: This symptom does not only include the 11th week of pregnancy, but continues beyond. This symptom will show up as a dark line right in the middle of your abdomen. To put you at ease, this is common and not permanent. Hormonal changes are often the cause of the linea nigra.
In addition to the new symptoms mentioned above, the following symptoms will continue to appear from the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
- Fatigue: No surprises there. As your baby gets older, your body will also feel heavier and try to rest.
- Gas and bloating: As you`ve seen over the past few weeks, your stomach will definitely continue to give you trouble as progesterone tends to slow down digestion.
- Morning sickness and nausea: A few lucky people can get it under control, but for most, both will continue until they disappear in the end of the first trimester.
- Vaginal discharge: While your sex life will improve, if you decide to pamper yourself, invest in some panties as the discharge will continue to increase as the pregnancy progresses.
- Mood shift: Your mood can change faster than at traffic lights and as stress makes the situation worse, it`s best to stay away from crowds.
Abdomen
The main cause of bloating is still gas and edema. However, your baby`s outward reflection is already starting to show, at least a little. For women who are pregnant for the first time, your tummy may not look any different. For women who have been pregnant before, your tummy will likely start to show pregnancy.
Of course, it could be the other way around if you`re on the weaker or heavier side of the scales. For heavier women, the abdomen may not look any different from the outside. For thin women, you may show a little more tummy protrusion, especially if you`ve gained some weight.
Ultrasound and Tests
An ultrasound scheduled at week 11 will show you how your baby is positioned inside your tummy. Your little baby`s movements will be graceful and fluent. Besides, your baby`s skin will constantly become opaque as opposed to transparent. It will remain transparent in the 11th week though.
The first trimester screening is a screening that provides information about the health of the baby in the beginning of pregnancy. It is usually done between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy.
Blood Analysis
It measures the level of 2 pregnancy-specific substances. It gives pregnancy-related plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and beta human chorionic gonadotropin (BETA-hCG) values.
Detailed Ultrasound Examination
The purpose of ultrasound at the 11st week of pregnancy is to monitor the detailed development of the baby. Some anomalies, if any, can also be detected. This examination is done to determine the nuchal thickness. In other words, it measures the size of the permeable area in the tissue of the baby`s neck (nuchal permeability). The nuchal translucency of the baby is a term used to describe the dark colored part of the back of the baby`s neck on ultrasound.
Many studies have proven that there is a close relationship between chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and Trisomy 18 and increased nuchal translucency. In addition, it is known that nuchal thickness will increase in certain heart, kidney and lung diseases that the baby has.
Dual Test
The dual test, popularly known as the intelligence test, is screening for Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and Trisomy 18. It helps to determine whether the probability of Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and Trisomy 18, which are common chromosomal anomalies, is high.
Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is a genetic disease that causes mental retardation and other medical problems. In the vast majority of cases, the fetus has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.
Trisomy 18 is a chromosomal anomaly caused by the presence of 3 chromosomes 18. Trisomy 18 often causes severe deformity and mental retardation.
When is the Dual Screening Test Performed?
The double test can be done at any time when the baby`s head-to-bottom distance is between 45 and 84 mm. This mostly falls between weeks 11st and 14th. The important thing is that the free part of beta hCG and PAPP-A values are checked in the blood by giving blood on the same day as the ultrasound in which the nuchal translucency of the baby is measured.
These two hormones are calculated by blood analysis, nuchal thickness is calculated with computer programs, and a result is obtained by adding the age risk. This result is considered negative (low risk) or positive (high risk). But dual testing can never tell if the baby is 100% healthy or sick. However, if the result is high-risk, further diagnostic tests should be performed for a definitive diagnosis.
What to Eat?
One of the most important factors in this period is the concerns about the 11th week pregnancy foods. Read on to find out what to put on your plate in this time:
- Calcium-rich foods: Since your baby`s bones are starting to form, it is important to increase your calcium intake. Milk and dairy products should be at the top of your list.
- Proteins: Lean meat, red meat and fish are recommended. Proteins help build bones and body mass.
- Legumes and beans: These contain easily digestible proteins and several vitamins.
- Seeds, sesame and sunflower: These are rich in vitamins and nutritious oils.
- Nuts, almonds and cashews: This nut pack with protein and vitamins makes a great addition to your diet.
- Spinach: Iron-rich and full of flavor, spinach is a super food you`ll definitely love.
- Yogurt: A delicious source of calcium, yogurt is a probiotic that will balance the good bacteria in your gut.
- Fruits and leafy vegetables: Rich in vitamins and minerals, fruits and leafy vegetables provide versatile development.
Tips and Care
Pregnancy can be challenging at times. Still, keeping yourself and your baby safe and healthy should be your top concern.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated as well as reduce leg cramps.
- Plan a small vacation to relax yourself.
- Be cheerful and read books on parenting to prepare yourself for parenthood.
- Keep your doctor on speed dial so you can always be contacted quickly.
Don’ts
- Do not take medication without consulting your doctor as it may adversely affect you or your baby`s health.
- Do not hold your urine because frequent urination is part of the 11th week of pregnancy.
- Do not burden yourself with junk food, as your digestive process is already slowed down by progesterone.
Shopping
Being pregnant doesn`t mean you can`t be stylish. Invest in good bras that stretch. At this stage, you can also buy nursing bras that will be useful to you later. Buy parenting books that will give you information. Invest preferably in cotton maternity clothes and stretchy pants. Take the vitamins and health products your doctor recommends. Invest in comfortable shoes that will help with leg cramps and swelling. Buy good oral care products that can help keep mouth problems at bay.
Conclusion
While your baby`s appearance is barely noticeable from the outside, there are many bodily changes you have to deal with due to the hormones produced by your body. The good news is that a healthy diet and comfortable clothes do a lot to bring comfort.