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You’re 11 weeks pregnant, Mom! You’re nearly at the end of your first trimester and your baby is growing fast! Here’s what’s happening this week in your pregnancy.
How Big is Baby?
Your little one measures just over 1 ½ inches long, about the size of a fig or key lime.
What’s New with Baby?
Ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes! By week 11, your baby’s fingers and toes are fully formed. Inside, their bones are continuing to develop. By the end of this week, baby’s external genitalia will start developing, though not quite visible on ultrasound just yet. Baby has started to prepare for the outside world with practice breathing movements and swallowing of the amniotic fluid.
What’s New with Mom?
Your uterus is continuing to grow and starting to move upward. You might not have a visible bump yet, but your clothes may be fitting a little differently. And as your hormones continue to fluctuate, you might notice some changes in your skin too.
During pregnancy you have higher levels of the hormone estrogen. The increased estrogen level causes your body to make more melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color. This excess melanin can cause melasma, which are brown or dark patches on the skin, generally on the face.
Other symptoms might sound like a broken record by this week: Morning sickness, food aversions, fatigue, mood swings and the like—it’s all common at this point in pregnancy. But hang in there! Many women experience a decrease in these symptoms as they enter the second trimester—and you’re almost there, Mom!
Fun Fact
By week 11 your body is pumping about 50% more blood than before pregnancy. And your blood volume will continue to increase into your third trimester to support the growing placenta and baby.
What to Know About All Those Weird Pregnancy Symptoms
Pregnancy brings surprises, not all of them expected! Here’s what might be popping up now, and how to handle it.
The morning sickness was expected. The bloating and the mood swings were foreseen. But nosebleeds? Hemorrhoids? Who knew pregnancy could cause so many other issues? Pregnancy puts a lot of demands on your body, and in turn, your body can react in some unexpected ways.
While there are plenty of symptoms you were likely prepared for, there are even more that might surprise you. “Nosebleeds, swollen gums, skin changes such as darkening of the skin or growth of skin tags, and gastrointestinal issues like constipation or hemorrhoids to name just a few,” says Dr. Paula Lomba, an Ob-Gyn at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Paula Lomba, M.D., is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center who specializes in Ob/Gyn hospital medicine, labor management, care of Ob/Gyn emergencies, and quality and safety.
Here’s a little more on some of the unexpected things you might expect:
Bloody noses: “Nosebleeds can occur due to increased blood volume and hormonal changes, which can cause the blood vessels in the nose to become more fragile,” explains Lomba. “To prevent nosebleeds, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, avoid picking or blowing your nose, and use a saline nasal spray to keep the nasal passages moist.” Nasal congestion and runny noses are common too.
Change in taste buds: Pregnancy hormones may cause your tastes to change; things you once loved can literally leave a bad taste in your mouth. Dysgeusia, as it’s technically called, is most common in the first trimester and can sometimes give you a sour or metallic taste in your mouth. Try rinsing with mild saltwater solution or sucking on citrus or mint candies to help.
Heartburn: This common pregnancy symptom feels like a burning sensation in your chest or throat. “It’s caused by the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter which is the ‘door’ between your esophagus and stomach,” explains Lomba. If you’re feeling the burn, she recommends modifying your diet, avoiding triggering foods and elevating your head when laying down.
If you are experiencing heartburn, it is OK to take an antiacid like Tums or Rolaids. To help prevent future attacks, try eating smaller more frequent meals and not laying down immediately after eating. There are many trigger foods but some of the most common are acidic foods, especially things with tomatoes like spaghetti or pizza. Other trigger foods may be on your current list of cravings: donuts, chicken tenders, French fries, chocolate, and ice cream.
Sore and bleeding gums: Blame it on those hormones again. They increase blood flow to your gums which can make them tender, swollen, or bleed. Keep practicing good dental hygiene throughout your pregnancy—even if your gums hurt. Pregnancy can make you more at risk for gum disease, known technically as gingivitis.
Yeast infections: Hormonal changes can disrupt the pH balance of the vagina, leading to yeast infections. In fact, up to 30% of women will develop a yeast infection while pregnant, and they’re most common in the second trimester. While a yeast infection won’t harm your growing baby, you want to check in with your doctor before treating one with over-the-counter medication. “They are usually treated with topical antifungal creams or suppositories recommended by a healthcare provider,” says Lomba.
There are other less common symptoms that you’ll want to let your provider know about right away because they require evaluation. These include vaginal bleeding (other than mild spotting), severe abdominal pain, persistent headaches, vision changes, severe vomiting or diarrhea.
Your body is working overtime, and every symptom is proof that your pregnancy is progressing.
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild editor Amanda Collins Bernier with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
