Pregnancy Week 11

Written by Lone Parenting Advisor

Pregnancy week 11 is 63 days post conception and marks the nearing of the second trimester meaning that the chances of having a miscarriage are greatly reduced.

The uterus will change at this stage of pregnancy as it will grow from the pelvis bones in an upward motion, this means that it will be possible for the midwife to feel the uterus (also called the fundus) and tip the top of it gently just by feeling the stomach.

Slightly dark markings start to appear in a vertical line on the abdomen which is normal and referred to as the Linea Nigra.

Most women do not feel their baby until later stages of pregnancy, but it is possible for some women to sense their baby at pregnancy week 11.

Foetal Development

Again growing rapidly since last week the foetus is now measuring around 5cm in length and weighs about 8 grams, the growth rate of the foetus will continue in this fashion for the next six months allowing the foetus to gain enough strength to cope alone on the outside of the womb when the time comes.

All of the necessary parts that the foetus needs to survive and exist are now present and functioning properly. The fingers and toes have completed the separation process fully and are stretched and flexed regularly and in the gums the foetus has around 20 baby teeth already formed.

The taste buds are fully developed and the foetus can taste the amniotic fluid that they are surviving in. Breathing is fully functional although at the moment the foetus is breathing amniotic fluids into the lungs, which strengthens the muscles (referred to as the diaphragm) enabling the foetus to expand their lungs.

Sucking and swallowing reflexes are developing from pregnancy week 11, but will not be fully developed until around pregnancy weeks 24 to 28.

The foetus now has a good production of gastric juices in the stomach and the kidneys are now functioning properly in the correct role of secreting the fluids into the bladder, although this fluid is not yet classed as urine, development is still ongoing and will continue throughout the pregnancy up until birth.

The sexual organs of the foetus are still not recognisable as either male or female yet to the naked eye as they are still developing, but they are forming individual shape which will be the tell tale signs of either a male or female foetus. The whole process is coming together as the gonads or the testes (boys) or ovaries (girls) are starting to move into position during this stage of pregnancy. If testes then the centre tissue of the shaft develops into a penis and if ovaries then the size of the shaft reduces and develops into a clitoris, the remaining tissue on each side of the shaft either develops into the scrotum or labia depending on male or female development.

The foetus should become even more active during this week of pregnancy as the muscle tissues are forming and would simply waste away causing joint seizure and brittle bones if they were not used. The movements will be frequent and more co-ordinated as the foetus remains awake it will be constantly stretching, flexing and kicking.

Ultrasound

The crown to rump length of the foetus is about 5cm long at week 11 of pregnancy.