What to do during the 11th week of pregnancy [Doctor-supervised] (with ultrasound images)

The 11th week of pregnancy is the last week of the third month of pregnancy. For some mothers, this is the peak of morning sickness, while for others, it is a time when morning sickness can feel a little better, so it varies greatly from person to person.

In addition to morning sickness, your body is also changing a lot during the 11th week of pregnancy. Your baby is growing from a tail-like embryo into a more human-like one, with longer arms and legs.

This time, we have summarized what is happening to moms and babies during the 11th week of pregnancy, what to be careful of, and what you should do. 

Baby at 11 weeks pregnant

At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a Brussels sprout.

The average weight is around 20 grams, about the weight of a small strawberry.

He is only about 5cm tall. The closest thing to him that is about 5cm is a AA battery. It is the size of your index finger from the tip to the second joint.

Have you realized how small your baby is at 11 weeks pregnant? 

Baby’s condition

At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is rapidly growing and becoming more human.

The tail that was there when the baby was still an embryo disappears, and the head, torso, arms and legs begin to grow. Another characteristic of this stage is that the baby will begin to move its extended arms and legs around in the amniotic fluid, as if walking. Baby-like movements such as yawning and thumb sucking will also increase. It will still take a little more time before you become aware of the tiny baby’s movements as “fetal movement.”

Other than that, the hands and toes begin to separate, fingers form, and nails begin to grow.

The face also grows rapidly, with the eyelids, ears, lips, and eyes forming, and the tooth buds that will become the teeth in the future also develop.

All the internal organs necessary for life are fully developed, the stomach, liver, and kidneys begin to function, and when the baby drinks amniotic fluid, it begins to produce urine. The brain also develops to the point where it functions almost the same as when the baby is born, and it is able to sense warmth, coldness, and vibrations.

Ultrasound photo from the 11th week of pregnancy.

Determining the baby’s gender

During the 11th week of pregnancy, the external genitalia, which are important for determining whether the baby is a boy or a girl, are formed.

However, the baby is so small that an ultrasound cannot determine its gender.

NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) is recommended as a way to find out the gender of your baby at 11 weeks of pregnancy .

NIPT (new type prenatal testing) is a test that can tell you chromosomal information such as the baby’s gender and illnesses by simply taking a blood sample. It is a popular test among many mothers because it is designed to be gentle on both the mother and the baby.

World-class NIPT

Experience unparalleled excellence in Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) at Hiro Clinic. Our world-class services blen...

11 Weeks Pregnant Mom

At 11 weeks pregnant, mothers will become aware of various changes in their bodies and minds. Here we will explain the changes and troubles that mothers may experience, as well as things to be careful of.

Maternal status

The uterus gets bigger

The uterus gradually grows in size to accommodate the baby’s growth. At 11 weeks pregnant, your uterus is roughly the size of a fist. Before pregnancy, it was about the size of a chicken egg, so it’s about twice as large.

As the uterus grows, many mothers start to notice their lower abdomen getting fuller.

As the uterus grows, it puts pressure on the bladder, which can cause some moms to have to go to the bathroom more frequently.

Some people pass the peak of morning sickness

Morning sickness usually begins around the fourth week of pregnancy and subsides by the 16th week.

Many moms are still at the peak of morning sickness at 11 weeks pregnant, but some moms feel that it is gradually getting better. On the other hand, some moms continue to suffer from morning sickness until the later stages of pregnancy and delivery. Morning sickness can vary greatly from person to person, with some people feeling nauseous if they don’t eat, and others feeling sick from smells. For this reason, some people may find that acupressure massages work well, while others may eat cold foods if they have morning sickness from smells, or avoid doing anything during times when morning sickness is likely to occur. There is no strict way to end morning sickness, but try whatever you can think of to the extent possible.

Increased vaginal discharge

When you become pregnant, the amount of vaginal discharge increases due to hormonal changes. As long as it is not mixed with blood or has a strange odor, there is no problem in waiting.

Feeling sleepy and easily tired

Many mothers feel sleepy, easily tired, and lethargic during pregnancy. Due to the influence of female hormones, the growth of the baby, and changes in the mother’s own body, she tends to get tired more easily than she realizes. For the sake of the baby, it’s important to take care not to push yourself too hard and to get plenty of rest.

Common problems and things to watch out for

Beware of miscarriage

Have you ever heard of the term “10-week pregnancy barrier”? It means that the probability of miscarriage decreases after 10 weeks of pregnancy. In fact, a survey by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that about 80% of miscarriages occur by the 11th week of pregnancy.

However, there is no medical basis for the term “10 weeks pregnant wall.” Even if you are 11 weeks pregnant, the risk of miscarriage is still high. Try not to push yourself in your daily life. If you experience any abdominal discomfort or bleeding, visit your obstetrician-gynecologist as soon as possible. 

Dizziness or dizziness

More and more mothers are experiencing dizziness and lightheadedness when standing up, so it’s important to be careful. As the baby grows, the amount of blood flowing to the uterus increases. When you suddenly stand up, it becomes difficult for enough blood to flow to your head, causing you to feel lightheaded and dizzy. If the symptoms are severe, you may be suffering from anemia, so consult a doctor if you are experiencing difficulties.

Severe morning sickness that makes it difficult to eat or drink

Has your morning sickness gotten so bad that you can’t eat or drink? Severe morning sickness is called “hyperemesis gravidarum.” You will need to receive fluids and nutrients through an IV drip until your morning sickness subsides. If you push yourself too hard, your baby will not receive enough nutrition. If your morning sickness is getting to you, consult a doctor.

Detailed explanation of the causes of morning sickness, its duration and how to deal with it【supervised by doctor】

Get a thorough understanding of morning sickness with our detailed explanation, supervised by experienced doctors at Hir...

Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) Detected by Ultrasound – Characteristics at 11 Weeks

From here, we will touch on what can be found with an ultrasound examination. An ultrasound examination allows you to see the baby’s growth, and by focusing on parts of the body, you can also check for suspected chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) .

When can you check? Generally, it is possible to check for suspicion of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) between 10 and 15 weeks. Here, we will explain why the possibility of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) can be suspected based on the results of your baby’s ultrasound examination.

Swelling at the back of the neck

In the early stages of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), swelling is seen at the back of the head and neck. In the images of the test results, the swollen area appears dark and shadow-like, but if it looks thicker than the back of the neck of a baby who does not have trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) , trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) may be suspected.

In technical terms, the degree of swelling is expressed as a value called NT (short for Nuchal Translucency). The normal range for the 11th week of pregnancy is said to be 1.0 to 2.8 mm, but since it is measured taking into account the length from the head to the buttocks, called CRL (short for crown-rump length), it is important not to judge simply by the NT value.

Normal values ​​are set based on NT and CRL, but even if a value higher than the normal range is obtained, it does not necessarily mean that the baby has trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) . Swelling itself is present in all babies, and since it occurs due to underdeveloped circulatory function, it may disappear during the growth process or the baby may be born healthy. On the other hand, even if the NT value is normal or disappears naturally, it cannot be said that there is no chromosomal abnormality. There are many cases where it was not known whether or not the baby had trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) during pregnancy , and it was only discovered after birth.

Short limbs

In addition to the NT value, the FL value (short for Femur Length), which indicates the length of the femur, or in other words the length of the thigh, is also one of the factors that can be determined by ultrasound.

Babies with chromosomal abnormalities tend to have short limbs, and trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) is one of them.

However, just like the NT value, just because the FL value is lower than the standard does not necessarily mean that there is trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) , so it is important to be aware that this is also not definitive.

Head size

This is from the middle of pregnancy (14 weeks 0 days to 27 weeks 6 days) to the late stages of pregnancy (28 weeks and later), but if there is a possibility of Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) , the face tends to become larger. This can be estimated numerically using the BDP value (short for Biparietal Diameter: the width of the facial bones) and the FOD value (short for Front Occipital Diameter: the vertical width of the facial bones).

Nose bones and facial features

As the baby grows, ultrasound images can reveal some of the baby’s facial features. In the case of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) , the face appears flat, and ultrasound images may show a small nasal bone or small lips.

The nasal bone appears white on an ultrasound, but if the CRL, which indicates the length from head to tail, is 45 to 84 mm and the white area of ​​the nasal bone is small or not visible, there is a possibility of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) .

heart

Babies with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) often have heart disease, and the probability of this happening is said to be about half. If there is backflow of blood in the tricuspid valve between the right ventricle and right atrium of the heart, congenital heart disease, trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), is suspected.

However, reflux can also be seen in babies who do not have trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) , so it does not necessarily mean that the presence or absence of a disease is confirmed. Also, since it is not easy to diagnose heart disease in the early stages of pregnancy up to 15 weeks, it is judged by a specialist doctor and after a more detailed “fetal cardiac echo test” is performed.

What is Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)? (*written with supervision of a doctor)

Down syndrome is also called Trisomy 21 because there is one more chromosome in the chromosome 21 than normal. In this a...

11th week pregnancy test

From here on, we will explain the prenatal checkups that are essential at 11 weeks of pregnancy, the tests you can have at your own expense, and what you should do at 11 weeks of pregnancy.

Prenatal checkups

At a prenatal checkup at 11 weeks of pregnancy, the following items are generally checked:

• Weight measurement
• Blood pressure measurement
• Waist measurement
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound examination

Blood tests are used to check mineral balance, nutritional deficiencies, organ dysfunction, blood sugar levels, and dehydration. Blood type and infections are also checked during early pregnancy.

A urine test can show whether protein or sugar is leaking into the urine, whether you have an infection, or whether you are dehydrated.

The ultrasound examination checks the condition of the baby, placenta, amniotic fluid, and whether there is any risk of miscarriage.

Self-paid testing

In addition to prenatal checkups, we will introduce some self-paid tests that you may want to take during the 11th week of pregnancy.

Blood glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

This is a blood test to check if your blood sugar level is high to ensure you do not have gestational diabetes.

Prenatal Testing

Recently, NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing), which involves taking blood samples, has become popular as a method that places less of a burden on both the baby and mother.

Conventional non-confirmatory tests such as maternal serum markers and combined tests could not be performed until the 11th week of pregnancy at the earliest. Hiro Clinic NIPT can be performed from the 6th week of pregnancy, so you can find out the baby’s condition early.

The cost of NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) in Japan ranges from about 90,000 to 240,000 yen (excluding tax) even for testing only for trisomy 21, 18, and 13, and varies greatly depending on the facility, so if you have any concerns, be sure to check with the facility for details.

A general thing to note about NIPT (new prenatal testing) is that the test results do not give a simple answer such as “YES” or “NO.”

NIPT (New Prenatal Testing) is a screening test, so it does not determine whether the pregnancy has a chromosomal disorder or not, but rather whether the risk of the disease is “high” or “low.”

In addition, the NIPT (new type prenatal testing) test involves taking blood samples, which can be somewhat painful, but does not generally have a significant effect on the fetus. Depending on the NIPT (new type prenatal testing) test, confirmatory tests such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis may be performed, and it cannot be said with certainty that there is no possibility of miscarriage or water rupture when it comes to confirmatory tests.

Please note that the confirmatory test for NIPT (new type prenatal diagnosis) is not something that must be taken even if the test is positive. Chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis can be done at the parents’ request.

Please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to explain to you in detail about each NIPT (new prenatal testing) plan and things you should pay attention to.

What to do at 11 weeks pregnant

The “due date” is decided around the 11th week of pregnancy based on the baby’s size and development. Choosing the hospital where you will give birth is also something you want to do at this time.

You should also receive your Maternal and Child Health Handbook around the 11th week of pregnancy. Many local governments have set the target age for receiving your handbook between the 11th and 12th week of pregnancy as a guideline for prenatal checkup assistance and procedures. You can receive your Maternal and Child Health Handbook by submitting application documents at the local government office.

If you are 11 weeks pregnant , you can do multiple NIPTs . This will allow you enough time if a definitive test is needed. 11 weeks is a very good time to do NIPTs .

If you are considering an abortion, the surgical procedure differs depending on whether you are in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks) or later. After 12 weeks, the physical and psychological burden on the mother increases. If you are considering an abortion in the early stages of pregnancy, you should decide on the date of the operation by the 11th week of pregnancy.

summary

At 11 weeks pregnant, the baby grows significantly and the mother’s body also undergoes major changes. There are many things to do at 11 weeks pregnant, but at Hiro Clinic NIPT , we consider 11 weeks pregnant to be the ” best week to receive NIPT (new type prenatal diagnosis) .”

With Hiro Clinic NIPT ‘s NIPT (new prenatal diagnosis) , 95% of patients receive their test results within 8 days of blood collection (excluding some plans). In addition, all Hiro Clinic NIPT clinics, excluding affiliated facilities, offer an express delivery option (delivery in as little as 2 days after blood collection). The advantage of this option is that you can get your results faster than other hospitals.

If you are a mother interested in NIPT (new prenatal testing) , please contact Hiro Clinic NIPT .

World-class NIPT

Experience unparalleled excellence in Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) at Hiro Clinic. Our world-class services blen...