11-Week pregnant: Development and diet

WEEK 11 DEVELOPMENT

The waistband on your trousers is beginning to dig in and your regular bra size is getting a bit too snug. On average, a mother-to-be weighs about 0.5 to 2.0 kg more towards the end of the first trimester. Interestingly, the foetus takes up the smallest proportion of the weight increase. At around 10 grams, she is still a real lightweight. Most of the weight will be thanks to your expanded uterus, placenta and the amniotic fluid.

From crown to coccyx, your child is now an impressive 6 cm. long, around the size of a decent sized tomato. And it’s another busy week inside you. Nerve cells continue to multiply even if, for now, there’s no connection between them in the brain yet. However, in her spinal cord, neural circuits are starting to be put in place in and around her muscles. That means your little one will soon have reflex movements inside you.

NUTRITION

To avoid tapping into your own bone mass, it is essential for you to eat foods that ensure you and your child are getting adequate calcium. There is calcium in milk and dairy products, but also in some calcium-rich waters. It is also found in most green, leafy vegetables and in sesame seeds. Think 4 servings of dairy per day and water rich in calcium to cover your needs. Your doctor may find it useful to complement your food intake with calcium in the form of dietary supplement, just to be sure you are getting enough very day.

TIPS

You might be hoping your little darling inherits your eye colour or hair type, but what about your allergies? If you have eczema, “hayfever”, or asthma, there are ways you might reduce the chances of your child suffering too.