Pregnant: What happens in week 11 of pregnancy

The baby's development in the 11th week of pregnancy

Thicker skin & further development of nerve pathways: In the 11th week of pregnancy, the previously translucent skin of the fetus increasingly thicker and multilayered. Thus, the first little hairs form as a delicate fuzz. In addition, your baby's brain continues to develop steadily, now forming thousands of new neural pathways every minute.

The 'finishing touches' begin: Fingers, toes, ears and nose of your baby are now fully formed and become increasingly differentiated in the 11th week of pregnancy: The nails begin to grow on the tiny fingers and toes and in the jaw, the milk teeth under the gums.

Genitals slowly becoming visible: The external genitalia are slowly but surely visible in the 11th week of pregnancy. In about 3 weeks it will be possible for your gynecologist to give afirst indication as to whether your baby is a girl or a boy. However, the sex can usually only be determined with certainty in the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy.

Bone formation: Until now, the fetus's skeleton consisted mostly of cartilage. In week 11 of pregnancy, these gradually harden into a bone structure. The baby's rib cage also closes.

Eyes closed: Your baby's eyelids are now fully developed – and closed. Only at the end of the 2nd trimester does the fetus learn to control the eyelids and to open the eyes again.

Intestines develop: The fetus's intestines begin to grow in the 11th week of pregnancy and slowly move to their proper position in the abdominal cavity.

Purposeful movements: Since the first uncontrolled muscle twitch about 4 weeks ago, the movements of your baby are now much more purposeful: With every little somersault, the fetus trains its nerves and muscles. The movements help to stimulate the brain and to structure it. In week 11 of pregnancy, your baby can also swallow amniotic fluid and clench its tiny hands into a fist.

What can be seen on the ultrasound?

On the ultrasound image, your baby's eyes, ears and lips are now clearly visible. Finally you catch a glimpse of the face of your little miracle and can imagine whether it will look more like mom or dad in the future. The increasing movement activity shows you this on the ultrasound now as well \rby kicking its arms and legs more clearly. By now your little miracle is 3.5 to 5 centimeters long. This corresponds approximately to the size of a brussels sprout.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 11 of pregnancy?

Schwangerschaft 11 SSW | Frau hält Glas Wasser

In the body of the expectant mother, changes still occur more internally at this stage, as in previous weeks of pregnancy. Externally, only in a few women is the first sign of a bump on the abdomen visible. The pregnancy complaints have also not completely subsided, but there is a chance they will appear to a lesser extent or be replaced by new symptoms. Here you will find an overview:

Heart palpitations: Of course, pregnancy is exciting – but circulatory problems and an increased pulse in the 11th week of pregnancy are usually not due to anticipation of the baby, but rather the fact that the body must produce significantly more blood to supply the placenta and baby. By the end of pregnancy, the mother's individual blood volume increases by up to 50%.

Increased thirst & more frequent urination: The body needs enough water for blood production. Therefore many pregnant women feel increased thirst in the first months. Unfortunately, with constant thirst comes more frequent urination, which is also increased by the growth of the uterus – there is a positive side effect though: drinking plenty usually helps relieve uncomfortable constipation.

Heartburn: Many pregnant women describe heartburn as a pregnancy symptom in which an unpleasant burning sensation behind the breastbone occurs when belching. This is caused by hormonal changes that relax your muscles. In pregnancy, the stomach sphincter may not close the entrance properly. This allows more stomach acid to move up into the esophagus – causing heartburn. Eating small meals spread over the day counteracts this. Also avoid coffee, carbonated drinks, and foods that are high in sugar or very spicy.

Weight gain: A baby bump is not yet visible in the 11th week of pregnancy, but the uterus now fills the woman's entire pelvis and continues to grow – over the course of the pregnancy its volume will increase by a hundredfold. At the next check-up you may already see 1 to 2 kilos more on the scale, and you may have noticed your pants fitting a bit tighter.

Listeriosis in pregnancy – what should I be aware of?

A healthy diet during pregnancy should not be overlooked. After all, you are not only providing for yourself but also for your baby. In particular, vitamin C supports the development of new cells and healthy bones and teeth of your fetus.

Why must certain foods be avoided? It is known that pregnant women should avoid raw eggs and unpasteurized dairy products and eat fish and meat only well cooked. In addition to the risk of a salmonella infection – which is usually very unpleasant but not harmful to mother and child – these and other foods carry the risk of listeria infection.

What are Listeria? Listeria are bacteria found in soil. There are many different species, many of which are harmless, but others are very dangerous. In most cases listeriosis is caused because the person ate contaminated food. The symptoms of listeriosis are similar to those of the flu. Often a mild infection is not even noticed.

Dangers for the unborn child: In a maternal listeria infection, the pathogens can enter the uterus and severely damage the fetus. If you contract listeria in the 1st trimester there is a risk of miscarriage. At a later stage, in the worst case, severe organ damage to the fetus is possible.

What is off-limits? In addition to raw or undercooked fish and meat, pregnant women are better off avoiding smoked or dried meat products. Ready-made salads or pre-packaged sandwiches from the supermarket can also contain listeria.

\r11th week of pregnancy: What becomes important now

A little exercise every day: Despite pregnancy complaints such as shortness of breath, regular movement in everyday life is extremely beneficial for many women. It gets your circulation going and greatly increases well-being – also for your child. Even a short walk can work wonders. Expectant mothers who enjoy sports do not have to give up exercising during pregnancy. A little less intensity is better than too much, however. Exercise is also a great preventive measure against gestational diabetes. Optimal sports with calm and gentle activities include swimming, aqua jogging, yoga and gentle cycling.
Inform friends: As the pregnancy progresses you will surely feel the urge to tell your friends and family about your happiness. The 'critical period' is almost over. Whether you invite family and friends to a meal, write funny cards, or simply share the news by phone call – how you announce your pregnancy is entirely up to you.
Hairdresser appointment: It doesn't have to be a practical short haircut, but many women notice that their hair changes during pregnancy. If you experience hair loss or faster greasing of the hair in the first months of pregnancy, you can consult a hairdresser – also regarding suitable hair care products.

For the 12th week of pregnancy