You're towards the end of the first trimester. The baby is now starting to inhale and exhale small amounts of amniotic fluid. But you can expect a lot more at 11 weeks pregnant.
11 Weeks Pregnant is How Many Months?
At 11 weeks pregnant, you are just beginning your third month of pregnancy. Pregnancy is typically divided into three trimesters, with each trimester lasting approximately three months. So, at 11 weeks, you are in the first trimester, and you have completed about two and a half months of your pregnancy journey.
Pregnancy Week 11: Baby
Week 11 of pregnancy is a big one. This is when your baby's arms, legs, fingers and toes start to develop. You might notice that you're getting bigger from all the babies growing inside you—but don't worry! Your body can stretch to accommodate your growing bundle of joy.
Baby’s Growth
At 11 weeks, your baby is as big as a lychee. They are around 4.1 cm and weigh around 7.0 g.
At this point, your baby is also about the size of a bell pepper. Their "tail" is getting longer and thicker, and their heart has started to beat. They're also starting to develop a skeleton, which will be visible on ultrasound soon!
The baby's skin is still thin and translucent, but you can see veins. The baby's eyelids are fused shut at this point, so they can't blink or open their eyes. They do have ear canals in place, though! The baby can also move around— but their movements will be more obvious to you as pregnancy progresses.
Babies start to grow fingernails at this point in pregnancy, although they won't look like normal fingernails until they're born.
The neural tube, which is the precursor for your baby's brain and spinal cord, is forming. Your baby's mouth is opening so he or she can start developing vocal cords. This is also when organs begin forming—like kidneys, liver, pancreas, stomach, and intestines.
Baby's Development
At 11 weeks pregnant, you'll learn that:
- Small tooth buds appear under your baby's gums.
- Their ears continue to form and even “move” to the sides of their head.
- Their limbs also start to move--but you won't experience major kicking until a month or two.
- Your baby is starting to inhale and exhale small amounts of amniotic fluid, which helps their lungs grow and develop.
- Their head may seem disproportionate to the rest of their body at this point, but slowly yet surely, the bodily development will take place over the next few weeks, so your baby looks more like a... human!
- From week 11 to week 20, the halfway mark, your baby will have tripled in length and increased their weight by 30-fold!
- Some of your baby's vital organs - the kidney, liver, pancreas and heart, are all starting to function.
- By the end of this week, your baby's genitals are also starting to form. However, it might take a few more weeks to easily see the difference between boys and girls on an ultrasound.
Baby’s Hearing
Our baby's ears are beginning to form, and they're getting more sensitive.
Babies don't learn to listen until they're about six months old, but by week 11 of pregnancy, they should already have some basic hearing capabilities.
The baby can hear sounds outside the womb, including their mum's voice. The baby can also hear music, especially if it's loud.
Baby’s Teeth
At this point in your pregnancy, the baby is growing teeth!
The first teeth appear at around week 11 of pregnancy, but they're just tiny buds.
If you want to know where these teeth are coming from, it's all part of forming your baby's jawbone. The upper jawbone forms first, and the lower jawbone forms on top. Within each bone are spaces called dental alveoli that will become tooth sockets.
Once the baby's teeth are formed, a little piece of gum grows over them and attaches them to the alveoli so that they stay put!
Baby’s Movement
You may feel the baby's movements at this point in your pregnancy. You may also notice a change in how the baby moves around and kicks. Many women report that they can now feel their babies' hiccups. Hiccups signify that your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and breathing it back into his or her lungs.
If you haven't already felt these movements, it's likely because your baby is still small and cosy inside you. You may not be able to feel them for several more weeks.
Where is my baby at 11 weeks in my stomach?
Wondering where your little one is hanging out at 11 weeks pregnant? Well, at this stage, your baby is still quite the wanderer inside your tummy. Typically, they're doing a bit of a gymnastics routine, moving around and stretching those tiny limbs. They might be floating in the amniotic fluid or hanging out near the top of your uterus.
Don't worry if you haven't felt any movements yet; it's still early for those kicks and flips to be noticeable. Your baby is just starting to explore their cosy home in there!
11 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
At this point in your pregnancy, you'll likely start noticing other physical changes. Your breasts will likely get larger and more sensitive. You may also begin leaking breast milk (also known as colostrum) even though your baby hasn't been born. That's because your body produces extra milk for nourishment once the baby arrives.
Your uterus will continue to grow throughout the week, so your abdominal muscles will need to stretch out to accommodate all of this growth! Your baby bump may be making an appearance soon!
11 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What should I be feeling at 11 weeks pregnant?
- Morning sickness may improve (or not) at pregnancy week 11. If you're still throwing up at least four times during the day, inform your healthcare provider, as you may have hyperemesis gravidarum.
- You may still be experiencing headaches, migraines or mood swings, fatigue, stress, and emotional changes. All these do take a toll. The good news in this week-by-week pregnancy guide: you should find relief by the second trimester, which is within reach!
- Some pregnant mums may experience fullness in the breasts, and the areola seems to darken. Fret not. All is normal. It’s just your body preparing itself for your new baby.
- You may also start to get acid reflux and heartburn, which is expected in pregnancy. However, if you feel the acid reflux is becoming severe and it's hard to keep food down, consult your doctor, as you may have GERD.
- Pregnancy fatigue is real, probably due to morning sickness and lack of sleep. But hang in there. It gets better as your second trimester approaches.
Maternal Weight Gain
Your body is changing in many ways. You're eating more and gaining weight, and you'll start to show in the next few weeks.
But no matter what your body is doing, your baby is growing and developing at an incredible rate. The placenta will continue to make more blood vessels for your baby's blood supply, supporting its rapid growth.
Here are some other things that are happening this week:
- Your uterus may feel uncomfortable or heavy when you stand up or walk around. This pressure is normal and should go away after a few minutes of sitting or lying down again. If it doesn't go away for longer, talk with your doctor about how to relieve discomfort caused by rising blood volume (oedema) in your lower extremities (feet).
- You might have felt dizzy or lightheaded because of changes in blood pressure and fluid levels throughout your body due to increased hormone production during pregnancy (estrogen).
Nutrition
As your body changes, it can be hard to keep up with all of your daily activities. Try to make time for at least one meal that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. You may also want to include foods high in protein, like lean meats, legumes and nuts.
Some women find that they need more iron during this time. If you think you're not getting enough iron, talk with your doctor about taking an iron supplement.
You must keep up with your daily activity levels throughout pregnancy because being active helps maintain muscle tone and blood flow throughout your body, which helps reduce backaches and swelling in legs or feet caused by extra weight gain during pregnancy!
11 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound: What to Expect
At 11 weeks pregnant, you may have the opportunity to undergo an ultrasound, which can provide valuable insights into your baby's development. During this stage, the ultrasound can reveal significant details about your baby's growth and help confirm the due date.
The ultrasound technician will use a transducer device, gently gliding it over your abdomen, to create images of your uterus and the developing fetus. You may be able to see your baby's tiny arms and legs moving, as well as hear their heartbeat.
The ultrasound can also help identify any potential abnormalities or concerns, although further testing may be required for a definitive diagnosis.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 11 Weeks Pregnant
What should I avoid at 11 weeks pregnant? Are there tests to look forward to? Here are some dos and don'ts towards the end of the first trimester:
- While it’s important to keep an active lifestyle unless otherwise advised by your gynaecologist, there are activities which you might wish to avoid at this point, such as certain household chores. There's no better time than now to get your partner involved! (This is probably the best news in this week-by-week pregnancy guide for you, mum!)
- Some mums may feel less than splendid during the first trimester, but hang in there! You are almost reaching the end of the first leg. Make yourself feel better by pampering yourself with a manicure or pedicure (opt for a home service if you prefer not to be inhaling all those chemicals at a salon) or get a refreshing new haircut.
- There are some things you can do when pregnant (acupuncture, massages, hair dyeing, hair removal), but it also boils down to how much of those old wives’ tales you subscribe to or how safe the products used are. For the latter, chemical-free is the best way to go.
- OSCAR tests (for One-Stop Clinic for Assessment of Risk for Fetal Anomalies) are usually done between weeks 11 to 14 to screen for Down Syndrome, amongst others. Your gynaecologist should inform you to pre-book a schedule prior. With the types of tests now available in Singapore, namely the Harmony Prenatal Test and the Non-invasive Prenatal Test, you might even be able to find out your baby’s gender too!
- If you decide to wait until the end of the first trimester to announce your pregnancy to your family and friends, think of a cute and creative way to do it.
Your next week: 12 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 10 weeks pregnant
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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