The small embryo is now developed enough that it is officially called a fetus, although it is also a common and used term in the previous weeks. There are beginnings of all the vital organs, and one can sense the whole face, a skeleton, as well as small hands and feet.
What is happening in the belly?
What has now become a fetus continues to grow rapidly. It is called a fetus because the basic structures and organs are now in place in the small being. There are numerous small developments taking place, and one can see on a weekly basis how more and more traits are acquired, while more organs, body parts, and similar are being completed.
The brain is also growing quickly, and it will soon gain control over the small movements that the fetus makes. The fetus's skeleton will also begin to transform from being made of cartilage to consisting of bone tissue.
This week, the baby's inner ears will be completed, but it still lacks an auditory nerve to hear your voice. The eyes are also clearly visible at this point, but they will not open until the 5th to 7th month.
By week 11, the baby can suck, yawn, and swallow, which are all skills that will be needed when it enters the real world.
A mother who has gained weight and needs to urinate constantly
During pregnancy, it is completely normal to gain weight. By the time you reach week 11 of your pregnancy, it is very common to have already gained weight.
The weight gain is typically not greatest during the first trimester. This is primarily because the fetus, uterus, placenta, etc. have not grown much yet.
Additionally, your weight can be strongly affected by how severely you are impacted by, for example, nausea. Some can hardly keep anything down, and therefore will lose a little weight, while others eat quite a bit more than usual and will therefore experience a greater increase in weight.
Both are normal, and as long as you try to eat regularly, healthily, and get as much movement as possible, it is generally fine. If in doubt, you can consult your own doctor.
It can also matter if you were underweight or overweight before the pregnancy. Ask about this with your doctor, midwife, or similar if you have any questions regarding this.
Another typical thing for the pregnant woman in week 11 is an increased urge to urinate. The uterus is growing, and it can press on your bladder. At the same time, there is a multitude of hormonal changes in your body, which can also contribute to an increased urge for toilet visits.
Size of the fetus
The small child is now about 3-4 cm long and weighs approximately 20 grams. This is about the size of a fig. One can hardly imagine that this small lump will become a big and lovely baby. Despite the small size, there are soon clear human signs, and a face, etc., that is completely unique to your little baby begins to form.
Advice for partners
You will soon be offered a nuchal translucency scan, where a risk can be calculated for the child having some chromosomal defects, such as Down Syndrome. Read more in week 12 about this, but you can already start talking a little about this scan.
It is not mandatory, so it is a first choice - whether you want this scan. Additionally, one can consider how one feels about the various possible outcomes.
As a partner, you are completely sidelined. Now comes the - perhaps - first scan soon, and then it will most likely become a little more real for you too.
