Table of contents:
Week of gestation: 11 weeks
Equals to month: 3rd week of 3rd month
Equals to days: 71 to 77 days of gestation
In the 11th week of pregnancy, the baby's development is marked by the development of the features of the face, taste buds and the shape of the fingers and toes. At this stage, the head is still larger than the rest of the body, the ears are already on the side of the head and the eyes are covered by the eyelids.
During this week, the belly continues to grow, the waist begins to get wider, and the woman may continue to experience pelvic pain, which is due to the normal hormonal changes of pregnancy, which loosen the ligaments in the pelvis to accommodate the drinks. These hormonal changes also make a woman's hair grow faster and fall out less.
At this stage, a woman may continue to experience morning sickness, heartburn, a burning sensation in the stomach, or the urge to urinate frequently.
Baby development
At the 11th week of pregnancy, the baby's head is still very large, accounting for about half of its body length, and facial features continue to slowly develop. The ears now move towards their final position on the sides of the head, the eyes are already wide apart with the lids closed, and the nose and mouth continue to develop.
At this stage of pregnancy, the membranes that are between the fingers and toes begin to disappear, leaving the fingers more elongated, and the small nails begin to form. The arms and legs are already moving, but the woman still cannot feel the baby moving.
The taste buds are developing and the genitals are still forming, but it is still not possible to identify the sex of the baby by ultrasound. However, the first signs of the baby's respiratory movements can already be detected by ultrasound.
Baby size
The size of the fetus at 11 weeks of gestation is 4.1 to 5 centimeters, equivalent to the size of a lemon.
Changes in a woman's body
In the 11th week of pregnancy, the belly continues to grow as the baby develops, the waist may start to get wider, and the pain in the pelvis may continue due to the loosening of the ligaments which become more stretched preparing the body of the woman for the future childbirth. The breasts also begin to increase in size as the glands responsible for producing milk grow for future breastfeeding.
Symptoms of morning sickness, constipation, excessive tiredness and frequent urge to urinate, heartburn, a burning sensation in the stomach and the emotional variations of pregnancy may continue.
At this stage, due to pregnancy hormones, the woman's hair grows faster, in addition to falling out less, leaving the woman with thicker and longer hair. Hair texture can also change, causing hair to become drier or more oily, and hair may also grow on the face, belly, chest, and arms.
In addition, due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow in the uterus, there may be an increase in the production of cervical mucus, called leucorrhoea, which is perceived as a thin, milky white, odorless discharge that is considered normal.
Care during the 11th week
In the 11th week of pregnancy, some precautions are important to help alleviate the discomforts that may arise, such as:
- Pelvis Pain: Light stretches and gentle movements can help relieve discomfort. However, if the pain does not improve, or if you have a fever, you should contact your doctor immediately;
- Morning Sickness: eat at short intervals every 2 or 3 hours and in small amounts and stay hydrated. If the nausea is very intense, the doctor may prescribe the use of medicine for nausea during pregnancy. Learn about the treatment of severe nausea during pregnancy.
- Excessive tiredness: Creating a bedtime routine and waking up at the same time each day or getting some sleep during the day can help reduce fatigue and increase mood;
- Constipation: keep your body hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, eat more fiber in the form of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and exercise physical exercises regularly recommended by the doctor, can help improve intestinal transit and relieve this discomfort;
- Willingness to urinate frequently: do not hold urine, as leaving urine trapped in the bladder can increase the risk of urinary tract infection;
- Heartburn or a burning sensation in the stomach: eating in small amounts and not lying down after meals can help alleviate this discomfort. Another important measure is to avoid drinking liquids during meals and to avoid eating fried, spicy or very spicy foods. See other tips on how to relieve heartburn in pregnancy.
In addition, you should follow all medical advice, continue taking folic acid and/or other supplements recommended by your doctor, and continue eating a nutritious diet including fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals and whole grains, for example. Learn more about nutrition in pregnancy.
