Pregnancy Diary Week 11: How Is Your Baby Growing?

As time passes by, your baby continues to grow and develop in such a rapid and impressive rate. By this week, the fingernails, ovaries and hair follicles are developing. Ears are nearly on their final shape, with feet and hands on their distinct shapes.

The baby’s tongue, nipples and palate as well as the fingers and toes are now becoming visible. This means that the webbed fingers and toes have now disappeared.

This week, the size of your baby’s head is not in proportion with his body. The head actually takes almost half of the entire body size. The blood begins to circulate in the body and the baby weighs around 7 grams. Using a Doppler device, your baby’s heartbeat can now be detected.

If you haven’t already been you can still go for an early pregnancy scan at this stage.

Spinach For Pregnancy Nutrition

According to research, spinach is one of the best foods to eat during pregnancy. This vegetable is fortified with essential nutrients that are beneficial in enhancing the baby’s growth and development. Three cups of spinach everyday can supply the required amount of folic acid for pregnant women every day. Spinach is also said to contain high levels of nutrients that are beneficial for lactating mothers as they help improve the quality of milk.

Spinach is beneficial to the body as it serves as the powerhouse of nutrients such as beta carotene, folate, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese. Its potassium content is beneficial in regulating the level of blood pressure and heart rate. Zinc regulates the growth and development of humans and controls sperm generation, nucleic acid synthesis and digestion. Spinach is also a good source of iron which plays an essential role in the production of red blood cells.

This green vegetable also contains Vitamin K which plays a vital role in strengthening the bones by enhancing its bone-building activity. It even helps in preventing the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, spinach is considered as one of the richest sources of Vitamin K. Meanwhile, spinach is a good source of Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is beneficial in increasing the body’s resistance against diseases.

This vegetable is also a good source of lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, flavonoids and antioxidants which are known for their abilities to protect the body against diseases. Its zeaxanthin component is useful in preventing the onset of macular degeneration in the elderly. This leafy vegetable also offers B vitamins which include pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine and niacin which are very useful to the body. It’s beta carotene and zeaxanthin contents eliminates free radicals which when left unchecked can trigger the development of certain types of cancer.

Folate is exceptionally important during this crucial stage. Research reveals that spinach is packed with folate or folic acid. Insufficient level of folic acid in the body increases the baby’s risk for neural tube defects including spina bifida, cleft palate and cleft lip. Lack of folate in the body also increases the mother’s risk to suffer from megaloblastic anaemia, diarrhoea, tiredness, weight loss and shortness of breath.

Spinach is actually an excellent source of beta carotene which the body converts into Vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for the development of the foetus and in breastfeeding. It also aids in optimizing the development of the foetus, maturation as well as in lung development. Aside from its manganese and potassium content which are essential in promoting heart health, spinach also contains anti-inflammatory properties which help in preventing the onset of asthma, osteoporosis, migraines, headaches and arthritis.

Spinach is also important even after birth. This vegetable makes an excellent source of phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and amino acids which are exceptionally important for the child’s development.