Pregnancy Week By Week (Week 11)

Pregnancy week by week - Week 11,

Week 11 Fetus

Must-ask Questions this Week (Week 11)


I am dealing with a lot of stress at home and work. I wonder if this is harming my baby?

Wistfully pregnant women should be exempted from stress for those nine months. Unfortunately this is not possible. Financial worries, marital conflicts, and job frustrations continue to plague us and added to this, pregnancy discomforts worsen the situation. You are right to keep stress at bay cause of its harmful effects on the baby (stress releases chemicals that can trigger uterine contractions and cause preterm labor and the birth of low birth babies). The good news is studies show that women's threshold to handle stress increases as pregnancy progresses. Further, there are certain things you can do to manage your stress better during pregnancy.

Practice your relaxation breathing. This skill will come in handy during labor and beyond. Breathe deeply enough so that your belly rises and falls. You may want to practice a little to learn what pace and intensity of relaxation breathing works for you Pay attention to your physical health. This is a no-brainer but still worth a mention since we tend to neglect or forget the link between our physical and mental health. Exercise regularly with your doctor's permission. Eat ample quantities of healthy foods and rest adequately Kick your caffeine habit as this only heightens stress levels During pregnancy you should always share your thoughts and feelings with someone you can rely on. Talk to your partner or close friend about your frustrations and ideas. Find a counselor if you feel you need professional help. This is a fairly common problem and help is always around.


Is it safe to have a massage during pregnancy?

If you decide to go for a massage, ensure the masseur has experience in massaging pregnant women. Deep massage on the legs is a definite no-no during time. Pregnant women are prone to varicose veins and vigorous leg massage can cause a blood clot in the leg to become dislodged causing disability or even death. A less vigorous massage has plenty to offer: it can ease complaints such as leg cramps, headaches, fluid retention or swollen ankles. Your position has to be different. During the early weeks you want to avoid positions that put a lot of weight on your breasts, which tend to be tender during this stage. As you grow heavier you will need to work around your belly. After the fifth month you want to avoid lying flat on your back because this position can lead to dizziness and fainting. While the side-lying position seems to work the best, there are other positions you and your therapist may want to experiment with. Hint: special massage pillows may help here. Read Full Article


What spa treatments are considered suitable?

• As a rule of thumb you should steer clear of any treatments that involve high temperatures viz whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, heat wraps etc or the use of any herbal or botanical products that could be potentially harmful to your baby. There are treatments that you can enjoy without worry, and which will make you feel more attractive and help you relax as well.

• A facial treatment designed to unplug oily pores can help minimize acne outbreaks which many women are prone during pregnancy.

• A pedicure and foot massage can be sheer delight for those aching feet. It feels very comforting to have your swollen, tired feet cleaned, massaged and painted by someone else. This becomes particularly true in the later months when you are too big to do all this yourself.

• A body scrub with moisturizer will help you to get rid of the buildup of dead skin cells that can otherwise lead to an itchy belly. It can also help your body replenish some of the moisture lost as a result of hormone-induced skin dehydration.