Week 11 of Your Pregnancy

It's week 11 of your pregnancy, which means you're almost at the end of your first trimester and truly rounding a corner when it comes to certain symptoms—including seemingly endless bouts of nausea.

Pregnancy Week 11 Quick Facts

At 11 weeks, you’re three months pregnant
You have 29 weeks until your due date
You're in the first trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size at 11 Weeks

At 11 weeks, your fetus measures about 1.61 inches in length. It weighs about a quarter of an ounce, and while it's still tiny (about the size of a fig or a large strawberry, to be exact!), developmentally, big things are happening!

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 11

Many of your week 11 pregnancy symptoms are similar to what they’ve been in the past—i.e. nausea, sore breasts, and food cravings and aversions may still be plaguing you. "Craving certain things to eat, even things that may be a little idiosyncratic, and aversion to certain tastes and smells are very much at the peak during this time," explains Eli Reshef, M.D., OB-GYN, and medical advisory board member at Win Fertility. Although there isn't a single scientific reason why certain pregnant people crave some foods and not others, "some say that, from an evolutionary standpoint, when people are low in, for example, iron, they try to eat things that are rich in iron. So deficiency in pregnancy may be a cause,” adds Dr. Reshef.

Other common symptoms that may continue (or appear) this week include:

Round ligament pain (though it's more commonly experienced in the coming weeks)
Mood changes
Headaches
Dizziness
Cramping
A heightened sense of smell

Vaginal discharge can also increase at this stage. This is because when estrogen levels are heightened, as they are during pregnancy, vaginal discharge is common. Keep in mind that healthy discharge is usually clear or white in color and mild smelling. If you notice a harsh smell, an odd color (yellow, green, or gray, perhaps) and you feel in pain or like you can't stop itching yourself, call your health care provider. You might be battling an infection.

Heartburn and indigestion are also quite common at this stage. Why? Well, according to the American Pregnancy Association, "heartburn occurs when a small muscle between the stomach and the esophagus are unable to prevent stomach acid from passing back into the esophagus." That mostly happens because of heightened levels of progesterone during pregnancy, which relax the muscle. The good news is that heartburn is not dangerous. The bad? This symptom may persist throughout your entire pregnancy.

There are a few things you can do to prevent heartburn—and also some tips to follow to ease the feeling when it strikes. Avoid spicy and/or fatty foods, eat smaller but more frequent meals, and wait about an hour after consumption before laying down. This gives your body time to digest. As for relieving the symptoms, you can try drinking a glass of milk (perhaps even warming it up and adding a tablespoon of honey to it) or eating some yogurt.

If the feeling persists, you may want to consider taking an antacid—but do not do that until you consult your health care provider, warns the American Pregnancy Association, as some products contain ingredients that are not considered safe during pregnancy.

Developmental Milestones

Until now, the fetus’ hands and feet were basically frog-like. This week, though, actual fingers and toes are separating in preparation for the development of nails, which will take place in the coming weeks. Sexual organs have also begun developing. In fact, blood tests can now confirm your unborn baby’s sex, if you choose to learn it—though it will be a few more weeks if you plan to garner this information from an ultrasound.

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

Week 11 of pregnancy is usually a "down" week when it comes to doctor's appointments, as you're likely still waiting for your NIPTs results and will be seeing professionals during week 12, a pretty big visit in terms of tests and exams conducted. Enjoy the time off!

Common Questions at This Pregnancy Stage

When should I start wearing maternity clothes?

As your body shifts, you may be wondering if it's time to invest in maternity clothes—and you may want to. That’s OK. However, you may also be able to repurpose other garments, wearing loose fitting pieces or buying one or two staple items at a slightly larger size.

"I suggest first looking in your closet for things that you can 'turn' into maternity garments," says Yamel Belen, R.N., CLC, registered nurse, professional doula, and certified lactation counselor in Tampa, Florida. Why? Because as Belen notes, maternity clothes can be expensive. Plus, your body will also undergo many more changes in the coming months and what fits you now may not in the third trimester.

Is it normal to have a decreased (or increased) sex drive?

Changes to your sex drive during pregnancy are completely normal—thanks, in part, to changing hormones. Some pregnant people can't imagine getting intimate while others seem to be dealing with heightened libido. There are no rules and regulations to follow. From experience, though, expect your attitude toward intimacy to change throughout the span of nine months. A lot of expectant parents with a diminished sex drive in the first trimester suddenly deal with the exact opposite urge as the weeks go by, and vice versa.

Is travel still “safe?”

While you should run the idea, and the location, by your medical provider, you should feel fairly comfortable taking a vacation during your first (and even second) trimester.

"It's perfectly fine to go on a trip but the details of it depend on your comfort," says Belen. "Are you OK sitting in a car for a long time, for example, or even on a plane? Are you going somewhere that you need an immunization? Is there fresh water in the country you are visiting? Always include a doctor in these conversations.”

That said, it’s important to note that travel to certain locales should be avoided. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, recommends avoiding travel to countries with Zika since it can cause birth defects. When in doubt, ask a doctor.

Things You Might Consider This Week

Pregnancy glow is a real thing. During the nine months of gestation, the blood in your body actually increases by 50% so your skin does end up looking brighter and, well, better. (Your hair may be glossier, too!) That being said, a lot of pregnant people have to contend with skin-related issues at this stage, including rashes, acne, and itchy skin. To avoid the majority of them, make sure to constantly wear sunscreen, moisturize incessantly, and drink plenty of water.

Support You May Need This Week

While you may not need much physical support this week, especially as body and mood changes level off, now is a great time to ask your family, friends, and colleagues what you really need to prepare for baby, i.e. this week is a great week to start thinking about your registry. Of course, everyone has different opinions, but talking to seasoned parents will help you better understand what you really need and what you don’t. You’ll also garner great recommendations this way.

Head over to week 12 of pregnancy