Your baby is doing something remarkable this week: practicing how to breathe. Though oxygen is still delivered exclusively through the umbilical cord, the fetus is now actively inhaling and exhaling tiny amounts of amniotic fluid to help the lungs develop and stretch.
🍼 What's Happening With Your Baby
Now the size of a fig, your baby's head is still about half the length of its entire body, but the torso is beginning to lengthen and straighten out.
The webbing between the fingers and toes has completely disappeared, leaving perfectly formed individual digits. Hair follicles are beginning to form on the crown of the head, and tiny tooth buds are appearing under the gums.
In the reproductive system, ovaries are developing if you are having a girl, and testicles are beginning to produce testosterone if you are having a boy, though the external genitalia may still look very similar on an ultrasound.
🤰 What You're Feeling This Week
The end of the first trimester is in sight, and you might notice the nausea slowly beginning to recede. However, don't panic if you still feel sick; the hormonal shift doesn't happen overnight.
You may notice a dark vertical line appearing down the center of your abdomen. This is the linea nigra, caused by increased melanin production stimulated by pregnancy hormones. It will fade after birth.
Your hair and nails might suddenly start growing faster and feeling stronger. This is a common and welcome side effect of the prenatal vitamins and surging estrogen levels.
Practicing Breathing
The diaphragm is forming, and the baby is rhythmically contracting it, moving amniotic fluid in and out of the primitive lungs to prepare for that first real breath of air at birth.
✅ What To Do This Week
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Look into the NT Scan — The Nuchal Translucency ultrasound is typically performed between weeks 11 and 13. It measures the fluid at the back of the baby's neck to assess the risk of Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.
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Check your maternity wear — Your regular pants are likely becoming uncomfortably tight due to bloating and uterine growth. Invest in a belly band or your first pair of maternity jeans.
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Avoid extreme diets — As your appetite returns, you might be tempted to restrict calories to 'catch up' or avoid weight gain. Pregnancy is not the time for dieting; focus on nutrient density.
"The storm of the first trimester is beginning to break. You survived the intense structural building phase. The nausea is fading, and soon you will feel the first flutters of life inside you."
— A Note From Your Body, Week 11