Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 11

Week 11
Week 11 

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

Your baby is approximately 44-60mm (1.75-2.4 inches) long and weighs about 8 grams (0.3 ounces). Rapid growth occurs during this time period, so it's not surprising that you're feeling tired!

The head is still large, and takes up almost half of the entire length of the body. The eyes are formed, although the eyelids remain closed while they continue to develop. The rest of the face is also formed. Your baby's body has straightened out, and bones and ribs appear.

Although your baby can now respond to touch, you won't yet be able to feel it move. Nutrients pass from your body into the placenta and umbilical cord to feed your baby and support his/her rapid growth.

Your Pregnancy

What pregnancy symptoms will I be experiencing?

Your uterus may be palpable, or able to be felt, above your pubic bone.

You should be eating a healthy diet from all food groups. An extra serve of calcium per day is really the only extra intake that is needed during pregnancy. It is recommended that you avoid soft, unpasteurised or blue veined cheese or any pate to reduce the risk of infection. While it is important not to gain excessive weight (it can be hard to remove following the birth), pregnancy is definitely NOT the time to diet. Your baby takes all of its nutrition directly from you and extra fat stores is the best source of nutrition. The depletion of certain vitamins can affect your health, so it's important to maintain a balanced diet.

Dental problems can often occur during pregnancy so it is recommended that you have regular dental checks. Due to hormone changes in pregnancy, a woman's gums tend to be softer, which can lead to bleeding gums. Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent this problem. If you do need dental work, make sure your dentist knows that you are pregnant, and try to leave treatment until after 12 weeks of pregnancy if possible. Avoid general anaesthetic and X-rays, and consult your health care professional before having any dental work done, and before taking antibiotics or pain relief.

It is important to tell any health professional that you are pregnant before they start any treatment.

Learn more about your pregnancy

Read more information on Pregnancy and Birth on Essential Baby.

Discuss Pregnancy in the Essential Baby Forums.

The First Trimester

4 weeks pregnant
5 weeks pregnant
6 weeks pregnant
7 weeks pregnant
8 weeks pregnant
9 weeks pregnant
10 weeks pregnant
11 weeks pregnant
12 weeks pregnant

The Second Trimester

13 weeks pregnant
14 weeks pregnant
15 weeks pregnant
16 weeks pregnant
17 weeks pregnant
18 weeks pregnant
19 weeks pregnant
20 weeks pregnant
21 weeks pregnant
22 weeks pregnant
23 weeks pregnant
24 weeks pregnant
25 weeks pregnant
26 weeks pregnant
27 weeks pregnant

The Third Trimester

28 weeks pregnant
29 weeks pregnant
30 weeks pregnant
31 weeks pregnant
32 weeks pregnant
33 weeks pregnant
34 weeks pregnant
35 weeks pregnant
36 weeks pregnant
37 weeks pregnant
38 weeks pregnant
39 weeks pregnant
40 weeks pregnant