Week 11: Counting down to the scan

Your baby — around the size of a lime — is becoming more defined by the day. Bones are starting to harden, fingers and toes are fully separated, and beneath that fine, almost-transparent skin you could see blood vessels. The external genitals are forming, though it’s still too early to tell on a scan.

You may find the nausea finally loosening its grip. As your blood volume climbs to support the pregnancy, you might feel your heart beating a little faster, or get headaches from the increased flow. Your skin and hair can change too, for better or worse, as hormones keep shifting.

If you haven’t booked your NT scan yet, this is the week to lock it in — the window is short. For everyday aches, gentle movement and rest go a long way, and many people start moisturising their belly around now to keep the skin comfortable as it begins to stretch.

As you near the end of the first trimester, you may notice your appetite returning and a little more energy on the horizon. Heightened blood flow can bring its own quirks — a stuffy nose, tender or bleeding gums, the odd headache — all common and harmless. Keep up your fluids and your prenatal vitamins, and if headaches are frequent or severe, mention them to your midwife.

As the nausea loosens its grip, you might find your appetite and your interest in food returning — a nice moment to gently refocus on varied, nourishing meals after weeks of eating whatever stayed down. There’s no need to be strict; just colour and variety where you can. And take a second to acknowledge how far you’ve come: the first trimester is genuinely hard for many people, and you’re nearly through it.

It’s also a lovely time to look ahead: many public hospitals across Australia run free antenatal education classes, and your midwife can help you book in when you’re ready.