11 weeks pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development
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11 weeks pregnant is how many months?
Month 3 (Trimester 1)
Baby development at 11 weeks
Many major organs are now in place
Morning sickness
Symptoms like morning sickness should start to ease.
Calcium
Learn all about the importance of calcium in your diet.
Baby development at 11 weeks
What does my baby look like? And, what size is my baby?
At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is about to begin a rapid phase of growth. They’re still only 4-5cm in length, making them the size of a lime. However, they’re growing and developing rapidly: all of the facial bones are now in place, fingers and toes are separating from their webbed beginnings and ear buds take on a more familiar shape.
Internally, your baby’s brain, lungs, liver and kidneys are formed by 11 weeks, but the various body systems will continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.
Although your baby has already been making jerky movements for some time, you’re unlikely to feel any kicks until around 17 to 18 weeks, or later if this is your first pregnancy.
Pregnancy at 11 weeks (first trimester)
Body changes
As your waist begins to thicken you may begin to notice the beginnings of your pregnancy bump. Don’t fret if there’s nothing to see yet, it probably won’t take long before you’re showing.
Early pregnancy symptoms at 11 weeks
Early pregnancy symptoms vary from person to person. At 11 weeks, you may experience any of the following signs of pregnancy, or no symptoms at all:
Good news about morning sickness
Pregnancy sickness is usually limited to the first trimester. For most women, symptoms peak around weeks 9 to 11 and improve markedly between weeks 12 and 14. For some, pregnancy sickness goes on longer, until around 20 weeks, and acid reflux from the second trimester onwards can also cause nausea and vomiting. Find out more about morning sickness, and how to treat it.
Your first ultrasound
Between 8-14 weeks, you’ll have your first ultrasound. Ultrasound scans use harmless sound waves to show a detailed picture of your baby inside your womb. Neither you or the baby will feel a thing – except a little elation on your part at seeing your child for the first time.
Focus on calcium
Calcium is essential for the development of bones and teeth so your baby will need quite a bit of it. Milk is a rich source of calcium, which has several important roles.
- It regulates muscle contractions, including your baby’s heartbeat
- It helps your blood clot normally
- It contributes to the healthy functioning of muscle tissue and nerves
Your calcium requirements don’t change during pregnancy, but it’s more important that you meet your Recommended Daily Allowance.
Sources of calcium:
- Dairy products, including pasteurised milk, cheese and yoghurt
- Some nuts and seeds, especially almonds and sesame seeds
- Beans and pulses
- Figs Spinach
- Tofu Calcium fortified breakfast cereals and white bread
- Calcium fortified drinks such as some soya milks
THE
SCIENCE
BEHIND
CALCIUM
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Widely recognised for its importance in the development of healthy bones and teeth, calcium is an essential nutrient for your baby throughout pregnancy. Thankfully, it’s easily obtainable from a wide variety of sources.
But calcium supports more than just bones and teeth. It’s used by every single cell and is present in tissues and body fluids. It also has other roles, including helping muscles and nerves function, aiding digestion and enabling blood to clot. According to one study, a good supply of calcium in pregnancy may help to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth.
Foods to avoid while pregnant
There’s nothing specific to avoid during individual weeks, but throughout your pregnancy, it’s wise to give the following a miss:
Raw and undercooked meat
Unpasteurised milk and dairy products
Liver, and excessive consumption of foods high in vitamin A