11 Weeks Pregnant

At week 11 of pregnancy, the most vital developmental advances in your baby’s growth are completed. At this time, your baby goes from the medical term of embryo to fetus. This is often when mothers get to hear their baby’s heartbeat for the first time. This is also a time when your baby grows quite rapidly. By the end of the 11th week, your baby will be about 2 inches long. The blood vessels in the placenta increase in size and in number to accommodate this growth. This allows more nutrients to get to your baby. Just think, at the middle of week 11 you only have about 200 days left until you get to hold your little one for the first time!

Your baby’s development is moving right along. At this stage of the game, your baby has some interesting developments occurring. The eyelids have fused and they will remain fused until the 24th week. The external genitals move to the outside of the body but you really can’t tell for sure yet on a sonogram whether you are having a boy or a girl. The hair follicles are forming on the skin and the teeth are beginning to form. Week 11 is also that time that your baby is no longer in danger of developing the more congenital abnormalities.

Your baby’s head is still just about half the size of his or her body. This is because the brain is one of the first developments so the rest of the baby, including the head, are left to catch up. The ears are formed but low. However, they will move up the neck and settle on the sides of the head.

During this week, you may notice some more dramatic changes in your body. Your breasts are probably very full and tender and you may even notice that the skin color of the areolas becomes darker. You may even see blue colored veins under the skin. This is because of the increased blood supply throughout your body.

It is very important that you take the time now and get a good, well fitting bra that offer full support. You want to wear a good support bra throughout your pregnancy. A maternity bra is often the bra of choice for expecting moms because they have nice, broad straps that do not cut into the shoulder.  They are also wide in the back so that they ease muscle strain. They also are designed so that they don’t press into the breast tissue which also makes them ideal for nursing mothers as well. A bra that is too tight or constricts the breast tissue can result in clogged milk ducts - and you can have clogged milk ducts before you even go into labor.

You may be showing at this time. You may be sporting a little “baby bump” and your clothing is probably too tight. If this is not your first child, you are more likely to “show” at this time. A first time mom takes more time to “show”.