Your baby, your body, and the prenatal visit, plus tips for the 11th week of pregnancy.

Your baby

At the start of the 11th week, your baby is now officially called a fetus. The most crucial development phases are concluding. The fetus now must concentrate on growing longer and larger during the next 29 weeks. Growth is fast now and the fetus will gain about one inch in length during the 11th week alone. By the end of the week, the baby will measure 2 inches in length and could weigh as much as a ½ ounce.

Ultrasound fetal nuchal translucency screening for anomalies

Your body

Pregnant women often find relief in knowing nausea and vomiting are typically gone by the 11th week. Eating is now less of a task, but that does not mean consuming any and all food is fair game. Expectant moms need to eat a well-balanced diet to keep the fetus healthy. The uterus has grown to the size of a grapefruit and can be felt easily by touch. If multiples are growing inside the womb, the uterus will be larger and morning sickness may stick around for a few more weeks.

At the prenatal visit

Prenatal testing occurs throughout the 40 weeks of gestation. Some tests offer clear-cut answers, such as the test for gonorrhea but others may offer nothing more than a long list of questions and fears. You should discuss all prenatal tests with your doctor or midwife as well as the potential outcome of each test. In the 11th week a test called "First Trimester Screen" or "Nuchal Translucency Screen" can be done to assess risks of Down syndrome and other chromosomal anomalies.

Tips for this week

Around the 11th-week blood flow between mother and fetus continues to get better. The fetus needs blood rich in vitamins, nutrients, and oxygen. Smoking and drinking are two habits that should be left behind during pregnancy. Both alcohol and nicotine pass through the mother's blood and the placenta into the fetus.