11 Weeks Pregnant - what to expect
Now you're 11 weeks pregnant, this week is all about ever-changing mood swings, pelvic floor exercises, next week's first scan and walnut and pepper pesto pasta!
Watch our video to see what your baby looks like this week
There’s plenty of genital action going on this week, as your baby’s testes (if he’s a boy) or ovaries (if she’s a girl) develop. But there are no outward clues yet: the boy/girl reveal’s staying under wraps for a while yet.
So what's happening to your body this week?
Furious, happy, cranky, scared... and all in the last 5 minutes? Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of early-pregnancy mood swings. No matter how much of a level-headed Laura you were before this whole baby-hatching thing started, you're probably going to be a bit more, erm, volatile now.
It's all hormonal (pause for predictable lad joke) and it will settle down (a bit) in time but, for the moment, all you really can do is deep-breathe, roll/sob/snap/laugh hysterically with it – and know it's the pregnancy, not you.
Our MFMer's 11-week bump of the week
Is yours starting to show? Check out other MFMers' bumps in our 11 week bump gallery.
Did you know? Your baby's now the length of... an Oreo cookie
This week, your baby measures 4.1cm, the same as this deliciously dark chocolate biccy.
More like this
And is around the weight of a... poppadum
Your baby now weighs around 0.3oz (8g)!
4 things you might need to know this week
- Should you screen for Down's Syndrome?
- What do you need to do with your pelvic floor muscles during pregnanct?
- Can you wear a bra in bed?
- Dad's story: Going to the first scan
Tip of the week from our community
“I've had odd moments of cramping. I spoke to a midwife and she said it's quite common and that, as long as you've not got any heavy bleeding, or the pain's so bad it doesn't go away when you move, everything should be absolutely fine.” said Emma, a member of our MadeForMums community.
Is it normal... to be scared about having a scan?
Yes, lots of parents-to-be get nervous as the first scan approaches, so if that's how you're feeling, you're not alone. Try not to worry – the odds are stacked towards you and your baby.
Indeed, 95% of scans show everything is healthy, according to the charity Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC). Just hope that your baby's ready for that all-important first pic (cue trumpets) — the blurry scan photo.
Our pregnancy recipe for week 11 - Walnut and red pepper pesto pasta
Why eating walnuts is great for your growing baby
Most nuts are already a go-to pregnancy food – for their inbuilt stash of minerals and vitamins – but walnuts come top of the tree for their super-potent antioxidant levels. They’re also thought to help boost melatonin levels, making sleep a bit easier to come by. And their high omega-3 fatty-acid content scores extra pregnancy points later on when your baby’s brain starts developing properly. Funny that walnuts look like little brains themselves, really!
See the full recipe and get cooking...
Baby namer - what do you think of these aquatic-themed names?
Does searching for a baby name feel like a task the size of an ocean? Why not dive deep and consider these marine-themed names...
Pearl
Gathered from oysters deep in the ocean, pearls are the precious jewels of the sea. The pearl is also the birthstone for the month of June.
Celeb baby-name-check: Jack Osbourne's 1st daughter is named Pearl.
Sailor
Yes, Sailor, as in the job title of someone who works on a ship or boat. Top points for nautical originality.
Celeb baby-name-check: Liv Tyler named her 2nd son Sailor.
We've got lots more inspiring suggestions in our dedicated Baby Names section.
So that's plenty for this week, want to take a peek at what lies ahead — or look back at last week?
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