Pregnancy - Week 11

You are 10 weeks pregnant or in your 11th week of pregnancy (counting from the first day of your Last Menstrual Period).

Keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary.  For variations and details, please talk to your doctor.

Week 10

Week 12

What’s happening to the baby?

• The baby’s head is disproportionately huge and is almost half of her length.  The baby’s organs are now developed and the baby is now poised for a lot of growth and weight gain.
• The placenta's blood vessels are rapidly developing to provide increased nutrition for the baby's rapid growth.
• The baby's skin is still transparent but the bones are beginning to harden.
• Baby's ears are taking their place on the side of the oversized head.
• Teeth buds start to appear. 
• Your baby is moving his hands around a lot.
• Your baby is about 3 centimetres long (Crown to rump length) and weighs about 5 grams.

What’s happening to mom?

• Your uterus has continued to grow, but you are probably still not showing at this time.
• You might experience frequent headaches due to the hormonal changes in your body and the sudden increase in blood supply in your body. To prevent headaches, drink a lot of water, eat regularly, get adequate sleep and generally keep your stress level low.  If you get bad headaches, ask your doctor which medicines are safe to take for pain relief. Typically, paracetemol  (for example, the brand Crocin in India) is considered safe. But do confirm the safe medicines and the dosage with your doctor.

Create your own customized week-by-week pregnancy calendar

Checklist for mom

• Your gums get swollen during pregnancy and on top of this, typically, dentists do not encourage any major treatment during pregnancy so you need to take extra good care of your teeth. Brush your teeth twice a day and rinse your mouth after you eat.
• Schedule an appointment with your dentist for professional teeth cleaning. Do let the dentist know that you are pregnant. Typically, the dentists will not do any major dental treatment at this time because x-rays can be risky for the foetus.  But, if it is an emergency then dentists can take safeguards. For example, lead aprons can be used to cover the abdomen area of the mom during x-rays.
• Remember to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink lots of fluids. This will help to alleviate constipation as well.  Have lots of water, “nimbu pani” or lemonade, coconut water etc. Coffee and tea do not count since they are diuretics (they deplete the body of fluids).
• Check out Parentree's tips on maternity clothes. Your first trimester is almost over—just a couple of weeks remaining. Soon you might be “showing”. Start talking to other friends about tips for maternity wear.
• If you decide to inform friends and family soon, this maybe the time to start working on the list of people to call. Get a list ready so you will not miss anyone important.
• Between weeks 11 - 13, you will have a doctor's visit for a comprehensive ultrasound scan to confirm the due date and to check for twins and the position of the baby in the uterus. This is also called the "dating scan".

Ideas for dad

• Encourage mom to exercise. Perhaps you can go for walks or swim together. This way you can also spend time together.
• Relax. Take one thing at a time in case you are overwhelmed about the long to-do list. Everything will fall into place. Do talk about your excitement and anxieties with your wife and share these feelings.  
• Trying to manage the doctor’s appointments, extra domestic chores and mom too might be handful at this time. You might also be anxious about all the stuff that you might have to do to prepare for the baby. These feelings of excitement tinged with anxiety are normal.

Other tidbits

• If you have not already, talk to other parents on the Parentree groups. You might learn many new things and make new friends.

Useful Parentree articles for this stage of pregnancy

• Morning Sickness
• Miscarriage
• Is it safe? - Common questions during pregnancy
• Read about common pregnancy conditions like Gestational diabetes, breech baby etc.,  in Parentree's collection of pregnancy articles
• Read about doctor's visits, various tests and scans you can expect in Parentree's collection of pregnancy articles           
• Comfortable, stylish and easy-on-the-pocket maternity clothes for Indian mothers

Week 10

Week 12