Pregnancy Week 11
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Inside Pregnancy Week 11
The baby has grown rapidly, now 2 ½ inches long, from crown to rump, and weighs ½ ounce. Externally, the toes are no longer webbed, the nasal passages are open at the end of the nose now, external genitalia is formed, (but still will need sometime before gender can be determined by sonogram,) and nipples are visible, too. Internally, the testes and ovaries are developed, the cartilage is hardening, (a process that continues into childhood,) and muscles in the intestinal walls start to contract, practicing for digestion. Amniotic fluid is beginning to accumulate as the kidneys start to work, and this provides a cushion for baby. The baby is quite active now, somersaulting, stretching, and flexing.
Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 11
You might be noticing a nice new side effect of pregnancy now. Your hair and nails could seem to be growing like crazy all the sudden. Doctors aren’t even exactly sure why it happens, but if you have new lustrous 'do', you don’t care why, so much as you are enjoying it. However, you might need more trims to both your hair and nails.
A less attractive side effect may be emerging this week, too. Bloating and gassiness. This is due to the hormone, progesterone, relaxing those large muscles and slowing digestion. It can be embarrassing, the belches and gas, but rest assured it’s common among pregnant women. To lessen the problems, continue small meals, don’t overwhelm the sluggish system with huge meals. Also, avoid gas producing foods, such as beans, spicy greasy foods and the like. As the uterus grows, the problems only increase as it crowds the intestines and stomach throughout the pregnancy.
Visit With the Obstetrician
Your doctor might not have told you about an important exercise that you should be doing while pregnant, and continue after baby’s arrival. Called Kegel exercises, these little maneuvers can make a big difference. They strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, helping prepare you for birth, and fighting off urinary incontinence. You do them by tightening those muscles that stop your flow of urine. Do it to realize what muscle to focus on, but don’t continue to practice during urination, that’ll cause other problems. You can also check to see which muscles you need to work on my inserting a finger into your vagina and tighten around it. You’ll want to tighten and hold those muscles for a few seconds, ten times a few times a day. You can also mix up the routine by doing some quick counts, or by doing an elevator kind of slow tightening. Other benefits to Kegels, increased tone can aid orgasm. Just be sure when practicing to concentrate only pelvic floor muscles, don’t tighten abdomen, or hold your breath.
Preparing for Baby
If you are like most pregnant women, you love knowing everything about what is happening with you and your growing baby. Having a pregnancy book or three, is a good investment. However, check some out at the library first, or borrow from friends or family to see which ones you actually prefer.
Pregnancy Lifestyle
As you near the end of your first trimester, now is a good time to start thinking about any travel plans you may have. With all the fatigue and nausea of the several weeks soon behind you, the next trimester is actually the ideal time for a trip. You will be feeling much better, and you want need to worry about missing doctor’s appointments, or being too close to your due date. Most women feel their best during this middle section of the pregnancy. However, be sure to discuss any travel plans with your physician, including the means of travel, where you will be traveling to, and any special activities you have planned. Some destinations have special concerns, for instance clean water, or temperature extremes. Also, whatever mode of travel, make certain you never sit for too long. Make sure to take frequent stretch and bathroom breaks, and not to skimp on meals. If you are going to an amusement type facility, discuss with your doctor what things are safe and what should be avoided. If you have big plans for later in pregnancy, go ahead and bring that up now, too at your visit. Discuss with your doctor what things warrant a call, and whether you should contact any certain local physician or hospital while traveling. Of course, bring all your insurance and physician information with you on any trips.