What Should I Expect at 11 Weeks Pregnant?

The 11th week of pregnancy is the end of the first trimester. Women may experience nausea and vomiting, mood swings, dizziness and other symptoms during this time.

At 11 weeks, you are almost done with the tiring first trimester and are about to enter the second trimester or “golden period” of pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting have finally diminished, and although you get tired easily, you feel better than those first 8 weeks. The pregnancy glow is only weeks away and your tresses are thick and long. You have not yet gained any weight, although there is occasional bloating.

Your body undergoes changes internally and externally. Your baby bump is mostly not visible yet. The signs of pregnancy around 11 weeks include

• Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: These are especially bad in the morning, but get better as the day passes. Do not worry. It means that your pregnancy hormones are at optimal levels. Try having toast with some ginger tea first thing in the morning. If, however, nausea and vomiting are severe to the extent that they interfere with your ability to eat or drink anything, contact your doctor immediately.
• Mood swings: Irritability and crying spells may persist along with moments of euphoria. Make sure you include foods such as bananas, small amounts of dark chocolate, walnuts, almonds and complex carbs (such as whole grains, vegetables, and peas) in your diet. These may boost your mood. Talk to a friend or your partner if you are feeling low all the time.
• Altered taste sensation: There may be a sudden preference for new types of food or an intolerance for your favorite foods. Weird pregnancy cravings are also common such as vegans craving meat.
• Sore breasts: The spike in hormone levels may cause your breasts to enlarge, become tender and more sensitive.
• Indigestion and heartburn: The high level of progesterone (pregnancy hormone) can cause heartburn and severe acidity, bloating and constipation. Try having a handful of soaked black raisins, prunes and figs first thing in the morning.
• Dizziness: Dizziness, especially after getting up, is also a common symptom. Make sure you get up slowly. Load up on fluids such as water and freshly squeezed juices.
• Vaginal discharge: It is normal to experience a white milky discharge from your vagina that does not smell or itch.
• Facial changes: Your face appears bloated and there may be dark patches over your cheeks. Make sure you use sunscreen on your face and hands as you go out.
• Skin changes: The skin is greasier and you may get acne. Try not to use any acne product for your skin. Most acne medications can be harmful to the unborn baby. Vitamin C containing skin serum is a good idea. Remember to gently massage your belly with coconut oil to avoid those pesky stretch marks.

Your baby is busy somersaulting inside your womb, but you will not feel it until you are at least 16 weeks pregnant. The baby is about the size of a fig, 1.5-inch long and about 1/4th ounce in weight.

The soft tissue (cartilage) for the limbs, hands and feet start to form, but won’t harden into the bones for a few weeks. The eyelids remain closed. The genitals begin to form. The liver and pancreas begin to develop and the kidneys start making urine. The fingernails start forming.

Your doctor will use a Doppler stethoscope to hear the rapid “swooshing” noises of the baby’s heartbeat. They will also order blood tests and sonography for the screening for Down’s syndrome (a birth disorder) around the 11th to 13th week of pregnancy.

• Have a balanced meal. Avoid sugary drinks and salty food. Include nuts and complex carbs such as oats, millets and brown rice in the diet. Lean protein such as chicken, egg and fatty fish is also a good idea. Eat fruits daily. Remember that the caloric requirement in pregnancy increases by just a few hundred calories. Therefore, the need to “eat for two” is a misconception.
• Listen to your body and do not overexert yourself. It’s okay to take a few hours off daily. Get adequate rest. Go for a walk daily. If you want to continue to exercise in a gym, talk to your obstetrician.
• Avoid medication in any form unless advised by your doctor. Most medications are not safe to take during pregnancy. Never skip prenatal vitamins that your doctor has prescribed.
• Avoid saunas, heating blankets and direct heat from a hot tub, especially in the first 4 months.
• Intercourse is mostly safe in all trimesters unless your doctor advises against it.
• Visit your obstetrician for regular checkups, blood tests and sonography.
• Inform your obstetrician if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and/or lupus.

You must call your obstetrician immediately if there are any of the following signs

• Recurrent spotting or bleeding
• Recurrent cramping
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• A fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Lower abdominal pain with burning urination
• Excessive vomiting