How Many Months Pregnant Are You At 11 Weeks?

At 11 weeks, you are two-and-a-half months pregnant. You are just a few weeks away from entering the second trimester. Your baby starts to develop a human form, and you will hear your little ones heartbeat for the first time with specific stethoscope. What else happens in this week? Momjunction tells you about the development of the baby, the changes in your body, and the tips to follow in the 11th week of pregnancy.

How Big Is Your Baby At 11 Weeks

The baby is about the size of a Brussels sprout. Your baby measures 1.61in (4.1cm) in length and weighs about 0.25oz (7g) (1). Next, find out how the baby develops inside at this time.

Baby’s Development At 11 Weeks

Here is how the baby’s body parts are developing in this week. With all these developments happening in your womb, how are you going to feel in this week of pregnancy? Keep reading to know.

Symptoms You Experience In The 11th Week Of Pregnancy

The symptoms include:

Fatigue: As the body starts working extra, you feel more fatigued.

Morning sickness: It starts easing by this week and the appetite increases.

Weight gain: Ideal weight gain in the first trimester (0-13 weeks), as per BMI, should be:

Food cravings and aversions: The hormonal fluctuations can increase your cravings and make you averse to some foods.

Constipation and bloating: The progesterone hormone relaxes the gastrointestinal tract that slows down digestion process and makes you bloated.

Heartburn: Due to the hormonal changes, the muscles in the digestive tract relax, pushing the gastric acids towards the esophagus to cause heartburn.

Leg cramps: Magnesium deficiency and the compression of the blood vessels due to the growing uterus can lead to leg cramps, commonly at night. Drinking a lot of water and frequently stretching your legs can help prevent cramps.

Frequent urination: The growing uterus applies pressure on the bladder, which increases the frequency of urination.

Vaginal discharge: A small amount of milky white or off-white discharge is usually noticed during this week.

These symptoms are indicators of the changes taking place in your body. More about it next.

How Your Body Changes In The 11th Week

Physical changes:

Breast tenderness

Pregnant belly – First-time moms may not find any change in the belly size, but second-time moms or moms pregnant with twins may show a small belly bump.

Skin darkening

Emotional changes:

Anxiety

Mood swings

As most miscarriages happen in the first trimester, it is important to know if you have that risk.

When To Call The Doctor

Call the doctor in the case of (6):

Fever (100.4 degrees or higher) Pelvic pain and /or lower abdominal and back pain. Less urination or dark-colored urine Pain on urination Severe vomiting Loss of consciousness Vaginal bleeding Severe headaches with blurred vision and epigastric pain or without them Fast or difficult breathing Feels ill Swelling of fingers, face and legs

If you do not have any such symptoms, carry on with the scheduled doctor’s visit for the week.

Your OB/GYN Visit

Weight check

Blood pressure

Combined screening test: This screening test gauges your risk of carrying a baby with chromosomal abnormalities. The screening test includes an ultrasound scan and blood test among others (7):

i. Ultrasound for nuchal translucency: It is done to evaluate the risk of Down syndrome in babies, by checking the thickness of the skin behind the neck. The thicker the fluid, the greater is the risk of Down syndrome. ii. Nasal bone and gestational age determination: The ultrasound scan can help visualize the nasal bone and calculate the correct gestational age of the fetus. In babies with Down syndrome, the nasal bone may not be clearly visible. iii. Blood test: The simplest blood test measures the level of two compounds in your blood. (a) PAPP-A (Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A): This is a type of protein produced by the placenta during early pregnancy. (b) Human chorionic gonadotropin – This hormone is produced by the placenta in the early stages of pregnancy. Abnormal levels of either compound indicate a risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. The results of all the three tests are combined to evaluate the risk of Trisomy 18 and Down syndrome in babies. If the results are not normal, additional tests such as amniocentesis, cell-free fetal DNA, chorionic villus sampling, or ultrasounds are recommended. There are more advanced tests for evaluation of all the chromosomes with higher prediction rate of anomalies. Always consult your doctor to know about the test that suits you and your age. The physical and mental well being of the mom is necessary for the proper development of your child. Keep reading for tips on taking care of yourself at this time.

Tips For The Mom-to-be

You may follow the below tips during the 11th week:

Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. Stick to a healthy lifestyle and eat home-cooked food. Stay away from raw, under cooked, and fried foods. Avoid swordfish, shark, king mackerel, or tile fish, which are high in mercury. Carry fruits and snacks with you, if you are a working woman. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Avoid too much of caffeine as it can affect the growth of the fetus. Take prenatal vitamin supplements for folic acid and iron. Engage in moderate physical activities like walking after consulting your doctor. Stay calm and keep stress at bay. Use moisturizers to prevent itchy and dry skin. Do not take any medication without the doctor’s permission. Wear loose, breathable clothes and switch to nursing bras for supporting the enlarged breasts. Wear comfortable shoes or slippers. Spend more time with family and friends.

Most importantly, get all the help you can from the dad-to-be.

Tips For Dad-to-be

Here’s what your partner can do:

Create a good environment at home.

Attend all the prenatal visits.

Share the household responsibilities.

Take the initiative to plan maternal shopping and outings

Give a good neck and foot massage.

References:

Fruits To Eat During Pregnancy 16th Week Pregnancy: Symptoms And Body Changes 21st Week Pregnancy: Tips And Body Changes 17th Week Pregnancy: Tips And Development