Week 11 of pregnancy | First Trimester

Week 11 of your pregnancy is upon you already. Let’s take a look at some concerns that Mom may be having as well as Baby’s development and what Dad can do to relieve his stress.

MOM
You might be concerned about the amount of weight you have (or haven’t) gained in the first weeks of your pregnancy. If you have suffered from morning sickness in the past few weeks, you may actually find that you’ve either lost weight or are the same weight as before falling pregnant . This is all completely normal! Just remember to maintain a healthy diet throughout your pregnancy.

On average, it is normal to gain between a half and one kilogram per month during your first trimester. And it is a myth that you should be eating for two, as you only need increase your intake by between 1260 and 2100 kilojoules (300 to 500 calories) to ensure good health. The best course of action is to cut back on junk food and increase your fruit and vegetable intake – this will definitely benefit both you and your baby.

BABY
This period is one of rapid growth for baby, who will be five centimetres (2 inches) and approximately seven grams by the end of the week. At this stage, the head appears rather large – approximately half the total body length. Your baby has developed fingernails and the irises start developing too.

DAD
In the eleventh week of the pregnancy most people are focusing on Mom and her stress levels. It’s understandable, however, that you might also be feeling a little stressed. Take a few hours for yourself and spend time with your friends playing a round of golf, or enjoy a vigorous workout at the gym. Just remember that Mom might still be a little emotional, so give her some extra attention when you get home.

The eleventh week has seen your baby become a foetus, grow in leaps and bounds and develop nails and irises. Start preparing yourself, as next week you may just be able to hear Baby’s heartbeat for the first time!