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 fetal skin increasingly thicker and more layered. This also produces the first hairs as a fine down. In addition, your baby's brain continues to develop steadily, now forming thousands of new nerve pathways every minute.

The "finishing touches" begin: The fingers, toes, ears and nose of your baby are now fully formed and become more defined in the 11th week of pregnancy: The nails begin to grow on the tiny fingers and toes and in the jaw themilk teeth under the gums.

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

Bone development: Until now, the fetus's skeleton consisted mostly of cartilage. In week 11 of pregnancy, this gradually hardens into a bone structure. The baby's ribcage also closes.

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

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

Targeted movements: Since the first uncontrolled muscle twitch about 4 weeks ago, the movements of your baby are now much more deliberate: With every little exercise, the fetus trains its nerves and muscles. The movements help to stimulate the brain and structure it. In week 11, 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. You can finally catch a glimpse of your little miracle's face and imagine whether it will resemble mum or dad more in the future. The increasing activity now also shows this on the ultrasound \rby kicking its arms and legs more clearly. By now your little miracle is 3.5 to 5 centimeters in size. This corresponds approximately to the size of a Brussels sprout.

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

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In the expectant mother's body, the changes, as in the previous weeks of pregnancy, still mostly occur internally at this time. Externally, only the first hint of a bulge is visible in few women on the belly. The pregnancy complaints have also not yet fully subsided, but there is a chance they will occur to a lesser extent or be replaced by new symptoms. Here you get an overview:

Heart palpitations: Of course pregnancy is exciting – circulatory problems and an increased pulse in week 11 of pregnancy are usually not due to excitement about the baby, but rather to the fact that the body has to produce significantly more blood to supply the placenta and baby. By the end of pregnancy, the mother's blood volume can increase 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, the constant need to drink also increases the urge to urinate, which is further increased by the growth of the uterus – however there is a positive side effect: drinking a lot usually helps relieve uncomfortable constipation.

Heartburn: Many pregnant women describe heartburn as a pregnancy symptom in which an unpleasant burning sensation occurs behind the breastbone when belching. This is caused by hormonal changes that relax your muscles. During pregnancy the sphincter of the stomach may not seal the stomach entrance sufficiently. This allows more stomach acid to move up into the esophagus – causing heartburn. Eating small meals spread throughout 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 week 11, but the uterus now fills the woman's entire pelvis and continues to grow – over the course of the pregnancy its volume will increase manyfold. At the next check-up you may already see 1 to 2 kilos more on the scales, and you may have noticed that your trousers are starting to feel a bit tighter.

Listeriosis in pregnancy – what do I need to consider?

A healthy nutrition during pregnancy should not be overlooked. Because you are not only nourishing yourself but also your baby. In particular, vitamin C supports the development of new cells as well as healthy bones and teeth of your fetus.

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

What are listeria? Listeria are bacteria that are present in the soil. There are a variety of different species, many of which are harmless, but others very dangerous. In most cases listeriosis is triggered because the affected person ate contaminated food. The symptoms of listeriosis are similar to those of the flu. A mild infection is often not noticed at all.

Dangers for the unborn child: In a maternal listeria infection, the pathogens can enter the uterus and severely damage the fetus. If you contract a listeria infection in the 1st trimester, there is a risk of miscarriage. At a later stage, in the worst case, severe organ damage of 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 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 exercise in everyday life is extremely beneficial for many women. It gets your circulation going and greatly increases your wellbeing – also for your child. Even a short walk can work wonders. Expectant mothers who like to exercise do not have to stop during pregnancy. A little less intensity is better than too much. Exercise is also a great preventive measure against gestational diabetes. Optimal sports with calm and gentle activities are swimming, aqua jogging, yoga and gentle cycling.
Informing friends: As the pregnancy progresses, you will surely think about telling your friends and family about your joy. The "critical time" is almost over. Whether you invite family and friends to a meal, write funny cards, or simply share the news with a phone call – the way you announce your pregnancy is entirely up to you.
Hairdresser appointment: It doesn't have to be a practical short haircut, but many women clearly notice that their hair changes during pregnancy. If you experience hair loss or faster-oiling hair in the first months of pregnancy, you can consult a hairdresser – also regarding suitable hair care products.

For the 12th week of pregnancy