11 Weeks Pregnant

The end of your first trimester is in sight. At 11 weeks pregnant, you’re almost a third of your way through your entire pregnancy. If this is your first time, it will all be new and exciting. But even if you've had other children, each pregnancy is a little different and brings its own challenges.

It’s normal for mothers who have been pregnant before to compare their current pregnancies with past ones and use their symptoms to guess the sex of their unborn baby. Unless you choose to find out your baby's sex, you will have to wait to find out if your intuition was correct. Statistically, there is a slightly higher chance of you having a boy than a girl. Your partner determined the sex of your baby, not you, and this was done way back at the time of conception.

How much love can I feel?

If you already have a child, you may be wondering how you could possibly love another child as much as your first. You may agonize about having enough love to share between each of your children. But try not to worry. Nature has designed babies to help their parents fall in love with them and they are remarkably effective at doing just that. Give yourself time to build a relationship with your new baby when it’s born and have a little faith in yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Your physical changes this week

Your hair, which normally goes through a growing and shedding phase, may be progressing into a dormant period right now. This is one of the reasons why pregnant women often say their hair is thicker and more luxurious than usual. It's just staying on your head, rather than ending up on your brush or going down the shower drain. You may also notice differences in your fingernails because they are growing at a different rate than usual. These changes are because of pregnancy hormones. If you've been experiencing a second adolescence with an outbreak of pimples, this may be the week when you notice your skin is finally clearing up. Use a gentle face wash, drink plenty of water and ensure you have an adequate intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. Remember the rule; 2 pieces of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables each day. Your weight may start creeping up slowly from now on. You may also have lost weight if you've been unable to eat much or have been vomiting. But from week 11, you may start looking at food in a new light. Somehow, it's not the same enemy to your stomach that it was a week or so ago.

Your emotional changes this week

You may be feeling less emotionally flat and perhaps your usual energy levels are making a welcome return. There seems to be an end in sight with the nausea, tiredness, and general washed out feeling that is so common in the first trimester. Avoid feeling guilty if the baby isn’t always top of mind. This is because you’re feeling more like yourself and the baby isn’t reminding you of its presence with movement yet.

Your baby's changes this week

This week your baby measures just over 2 inches. It is almost an exact, but miniature, version of itself at birth. Your baby looks less like a little alien this week and is clearly human. Your baby is the size of a lime in week 11, which is why you may be more conscious of a full feeling in your pelvis. At the end of the day, when you have a full bladder, or after you've eaten a large meal, you’re more likely to be aware of this sensation. Your baby's forehead is less bulging and its eyes are positioned more in the middle of its face. Its fingers and toes, which until recently were just little webbed paddles, have now separated into clearly discernable and separate digits. If your baby is a girl, this is the week when her ovaries will start to develop. At birth, she will have as many eggs as she will ever have throughout her lifetime. Your baby's external genitals are also forming, minute as they are. Your baby's body is less curled up and is straightening out. Until recently, its shape was more of a curved C, but now it is less so, except for its legs, which remain flexed at the hip. It will be possible to see nipples on your baby's chest from week 11. Your baby's ears, which have been positioned low down on their neck, are now almost where they should be on either side of their head. In the next 3 weeks, your baby will double its current length. It’s no wonder you’ve been feeling tired. Even when you have been sleeping, your body has been working overtime to grow your baby.

Hints for the week

If you haven’t already made your first prenatal appointment, it's time to do so. Pick a time when your partner or a friend or family member can attend as well. You're likely to be excited by the sound of your baby's heartbeat which can be clearly heard by a Doppler now. Don’t forget to brush! Oral hygiene is important at any time, but especially during pregnancy. Floss daily, get to your dentist at least once during your pregnancy and take the time to look after your teeth. Bleeding gums are not uncommon. But they can be a sign of needing to brush and floss more frequently. Start putting some money aside for your maternity leave. Saving now and setting financial goals can help ease money worries later. This is especially important if the unforeseen happens and you need to take medical leave during the pregnancy. Marching on towards Week 12. For more information see Pregnancy Week by Week.