The eleventh week of pregnancy
Your changing body
In comparison to your baby’s rapid growth, you may be experiencing changes in your body at a slightly slower pace. As you are approaching the end of the first trimester, the Morning sickness may begin to subside and you may feel like you are having better energy levels than earlier.
This relief from nausea also eases your appetite and improves your meal habits. With little efforts, you can easily motivate yourself to healthy eating. Your Uterus is almost big enough to fill your Pelvis and may be felt in your lower abdomen, above the middle of your pubic bone. Some women do notice changes in their hair, fingernails and toenails: increased nail and hair growth.
Since bleeding of the gums may be apparent during this time, keep a check on your dental hygiene; flossing and brushing twice daily is important. For more information on dental care, seek help and advice from your dentist.
Your growing baby
The 11th week is a period of rapid growth. Your little one’s urinary system is now fully functional and all the other major organs are now formed. This is the time where your baby’s teeth bud, finger nails and toe nails appear and grow.
The detailed characteristics of your baby’s genitalia are also beginning to develop around this time. On average, the baby is about 4 cm in length and weighs around 7 g and is the size of a small rose apple.
The blood circulation begins between the Uterus and your baby. The Placenta will also begin to function by this week or may be in the next week. Your baby can now kick and stretch effortlessly, but you will not be able to feel these until about two to three weeks later.
Tips for the eleventh week of pregnancy
Besides eating healthy, you also have to pay attention to lifestyle modifications for habits concerning smoking and alcohol. Restrict alcohol consumption and refrain from smoking (active as well as passive smoke), as they can have detrimental effects on your health and that of your baby.
Activities for the eleventh week of pregnancy
Go out for your regular beauty session but keep these facts in mind: Many research experts believe that use of hair colors (dyes) in the earlier weeks of pregnancy may affect the developing nervous system and other tissues of your growing baby leading to cancer. The chemicals present in dyes may also cause birth defects in your baby.
But such effects occur at extremely large doses of these dyes. Use of a natural dye (henna) during pregnancy would remain the safest alternative. Streaking or highlighting may also be considered a better option because this method doesn’t exposes your scalp to the coloring agents that allows it to get absorbed in any way.
There is less contact with chemicals as color is applied only to some portions of strands of your hair. Even straightening and perming treatments in pregnant women have been associated with cases of Low birth weight and premature babies. A light session perhaps only once (preferably after the first trimester) may not be alarming. In some cases, even use of hairsprays by an expectant mother in the first Trimester could lead to birth defects.
However, more research studies are required to support all of the above findings regarding their harmful effects on your growing baby, backed with a strong basis for explanations. True, it’s important to let yourself soak in doing things that keep you happy.
Supplements to be taken during the eleventh week of pregnancy
Folic acid, iron and calcium supplements.
Common problems in the eleventh week of pregnancy
Changes in the hormonal levels may make you prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs). These may be bacterial or fungal and may become serious if not treated. Seek medical care if you have difficulty while urinating, or have a burning sensation or smelly or cloudy urine.
Another problem that might affect you at this stage is Constipation. The increase in the blood volume during pregnancy also puts an additional demand on your circulation making you more susceptible to Varicose Veins and piles. In varicose veins, the veins behind your knees may appear blue in color and may bulge due to congestion of blood.
It is usually painless but the discomfort may increase as your pregnancy progresses with a dull, yet persistent pain. This condition commonly affects the legs but may occur in your anal or rectal region also, wherein it is referred to as piles or Hemorrhoids.
Restricting intake of refined and processed foods and including more fiber rich foods will prevent your piles from worsening and also alleviate Constipation. Apart from this, certain foods like wheat germ, sunflower seeds and garlic may also help in easing the discomfort by promoting healthy functioning of your blood vessels.
Walking can also help maintain good circulation of blood in your body thereby preventing it from pooling in your legs. While sitting, make sure you elevate your legs (by a support that helps them prop up) and avoid crossing them. This would thus help lessen varicosities in your legs.
Common tests in the eleventh week of pregnancy
A Prenatal test such as chorionic villus sampling (removal of a small amount of chorionic villus tissue from the implantation site) to detect genetic defects like Down syndrome may be scheduled anytime between the 10th and 12th weeks.
This coupled with an Ultrasound scan can help detect about 80 to 90 % of babies affected with Down syndrome.
|