Pregnancy Week 11: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
by Jess Wartinger
Nov 27, 2018
Can you feel it? You’re 11 weeks pregnant and so close to being finished with the first trimester. You’re solidly in the double-digits and will soon (hopefully) be waving goodbye to some of those early pregnancy symptoms.
Pregnancy Week 11 Guide
In this week’s pregnancy guide, we’ll take a look at how your baby is changing and growing, some new (and recurring) symptoms you might be having, and how to practice pregnancy food safety.
Baby’s Development at 11 Weeks Pregnant
At just over one and a half inches long, your baby continues to grow and grow. His head is now about half the length of his body. Don’t worry though, this will all become more proportional in the coming weeks. Baby weighs in at a quarter of an ounce and is about the size of a fig or small lime.
On ultrasound, your baby is looking distinctly human. Her torso is lengthening, her body is straightening, and her ears have just about moved to their final location. Baby is now able to inhale and exhale amniotic fluid.
This week brings about the growth of nail beds and hair follicles. Tooth buds are forming and baby is just about ready to open and close her hands (goodbye webbed fingers). In addition, baby’s tongue and palate are formed by week eleven.
Mom’s Changing Body at 11 Weeks Pregnant
Once you hit week 11 you may find yourself at a turning point for pregnancy symptoms. While most will continue for several more weeks, I find that at week 11 I have portions of my day that aren’t so nausea-filled and other times that I find a bit of energy to take care of essential tasks that have built up.
Unfortunately, this time around I’ve found a few new symptoms popping up by week 11. These include:
- Heartburn
- Round Ligament Pain
- Leg Cramps
- Increased Nail Growth
While none of these are as bothersome to me as the nausea, fatigue, and mood swings I’ve been plagued with the past two months, they’re somewhat annoying. Luckily slight cramping and other aches are a perfectly normal part of pregnancy. If you find you’re having severe pain or cramping it’s time to call your doctor.
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Pregnancy Food Safety at 11 Weeks Pregnant
Throughout pregnancy, it’s extremely important you pay attention to what you’re eating. Not necessarily from the nutritional viewpoint (although this is important as well) but from a safety standpoint.
There are many foods women who are pregnant should avoid. These include:
- Raw Seafood
- Unpasteurized Juices, Milk, and Cheese
- Unpasteurized Soft Cheeses
- Undercooked Eggs
- Premade Deli Salads
- Cold Deli-Style Meat
- Undercooked Poultry or Meat
It can seem a bit overwhelming to adjust your diet so much but have no fear. You’ll quickly learn the best ways to prepare the foods you love while caring for your growing baby. Looking for more information about what to eat? Check out foodsafety.gov.
A Dad’s Perspective Throughout Pregnancy Week 11
One of our favorite dates over the years has been splitting an Italian sub sandwich. That was, until we found out that she should be avoiding the delicious cured meats required for such meal. We had a crisis.
Luckily, we found that most restaurants are more than happy to grill the meat for the sandwich, and that does the trick! Once that beautiful concoction of salami, ham, and capicola gets steaming it’s 100% safe for any pregnant lady. Now, a discussion could be had about the health factor of that particular food, but every once in a while you can have your sub and eat it too.
Week 11 Pregnancy Wrap Up
With the first trimester almost done, there is a lot to look forward to. Keep checking back as your pregnancy progresses to read even more from me and my husband as we detail our own pregnancy journey together.
More Pregnancy Guide Articles
- 6 Weeks Pregnant: Your Weekly Guide
- Pregnancy Week 7: Your Weekly Guide
- 8 Weeks Pregnant: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- Pregnancy Week 9: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- 10 Weeks Pregnant: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- Pregnancy Week 11: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- 12 Weeks Pregnant: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- Pregnancy Week 13: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- 14 Weeks Pregnant: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- Pregnancy Week 15: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- 16 Weeks Pregnant: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- Pregnancy Week 17: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- 18 Weeks Pregnant: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
- Pregnancy Week 19: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
Jess Wartinger
Jess Wartinger resides in rural New York with her husband and five children. Formerly an early elementary teacher, Jess currently spends her time loving her kids and holding down the fort at home.
