Pregnancy Week by Week
11 Weeks Pregnant
At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is the size of a fig. Discover rapid head and limb growth, easing first-trimester symptoms, and what the NT scan checks for.
Published:
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician or doctor about your child.
Sources: WHO, CDC, AAP and NHS guidance. Recommendations differ between countries — for local advice see the NHS or ACOG.
See how we research and review →
At a Glance: Week 11
- Trimester: First trimester (only 2 weeks left)
- Baby's size: About the size of a fig — roughly 4.1 cm (1.6 inches) and around 7 grams
- This week's milestone: Your baby's head is still about half the total body length, but the body is beginning to catch up fast. Hands and feet are clearly distinguishable, external genitalia are starting to differentiate, and the diaphragm is forming — which means tiny practice hiccups can occur, even though you can't feel them yet.
Your Baby's Development This Week
Between weeks 11 and 20, your baby will roughly triple in length. Week 11 is the start of that growth sprint.
- Head and brain: Still proportionally large but the body is elongating. Brain growth continues at ~250,000 neurons per minute. Nerve cells are starting to make synaptic connections.
- Face: Eyes are still wide-set but moving closer together. Ears are nearly in their final position. Nasal passages are open, and tooth buds for all 20 baby teeth are present.
- Limbs: Fingers and toes are completely separated. Nails are beginning to grow. Arms and legs can flex and extend.
- Genitalia: External genitalia have begun to differentiate, though it's still too early to see sex on ultrasound.
- Digestive system: The intestines, which have been developing in the umbilical cord because there isn't enough room in the abdomen yet, are starting to migrate back into the body cavity.
- Diaphragm: Forming, which allows for the first "practice" breathing-like movements and hiccups.
- Bones: Beginning to harden (ossify), especially the long bones in arms and legs and the bones of the skull.
- Hair follicles: Starting to form on the scalp.
Your Body and Symptoms This Week
Many people start to notice the first hints that the first-trimester storm is passing — though for others, the worst is still hitting. Both experiences are normal.
- Nausea may begin easing for some, though peak symptoms can extend through week 12
- Increased appetite as nausea recedes — and possibly your first cravings
- Visible bump for some (especially in second or later pregnancies) as the uterus rises out of the pelvis
- Thicker, shinier hair from elevated estrogen extending the hair growth phase
- Skin changes: "Pregnancy glow" from increased blood flow, or acne flares from hormonal shifts — both happen
- Heartburn may begin as progesterone relaxes the valve between stomach and esophagus
- Frequent urination continues as the uterus presses on the bladder and kidneys process more blood
- Vivid dreams from increased REM sleep and hormonal shifts
- Round ligament pain as the uterus expands
Nutrition: What to Eat & Avoid This Week
Folic acid remains essential for one more week. After week 12, the neural tube is fully closed, but you should continue your prenatal vitamin for the entire pregnancy and through breastfeeding. As nausea eases, focus on rebuilding the foods you may have avoided.
Eat:
- Iron-rich foods: lean red meat, lentils, beans, spinach, fortified cereals (paired with vitamin C for absorption)
- Calcium: dairy or fortified plant milk, yogurt, cheese, leafy greens — your baby is hardening bones
- Omega-3 (DHA): salmon, sardines, walnuts, chia seeds — critical for brain and eye development
- Whole grains and fiber to combat constipation
- Plenty of water — at least 8–10 cups daily
Avoid:
- Alcohol — at any amount, at any stage
- Raw and undercooked animal products
- High-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish)
- Unpasteurized dairy and juices
- Deli meats unless heated thoroughly (listeria risk)
- More than 200 mg caffeine per day
- Herbal supplements unless cleared by your provider
Movement & Exercise
Continue with the 150 minutes per week of moderate activity ACOG recommends. As energy may begin to return this week, take advantage of it — but don't push to "make up" for lost time. Building consistency matters more than intensity.
Excellent this week: walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, prenatal Pilates, low-impact cycling, light strength training.
Avoid: hot yoga, sauna, hot tubs (any environment that raises your core temperature above 102°F / 39°C — overheating in the first trimester is linked to neural tube defects), contact sports, scuba diving, and any activity with a meaningful fall risk.
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
The week leading up to the NT scan is one of the most anxiety-loaded periods of pregnancy. You're close enough to the end of the first trimester to feel hopeful but you haven't yet seen the reassurance of a clear screening result. This is completely normal.
Strategies that help:
- Limit Dr. Google. Most search results about screening and miscarriage will distort your sense of risk.
- Bring your partner or a trusted person to the NT scan — sharing the moment helps regardless of the result.
- Plan a comforting activity for after the appointment, whether the news is reassuring or harder.
- If you have a history of anxiety or pregnancy loss, ask about additional support — early counseling helps.
- Sleep, movement, and connection still matter more than any specific intervention.
Common Concerns & When to Call Your Doctor
Reach your provider the same day if you experience:
- Bright red bleeding (especially heavy or with clots)
- Severe or persistent abdominal cramping
- Severe one-sided pain — though ectopic pregnancy is unlikely to present this late, it must be ruled out
- Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Burning with urination, lower back pain, or strong-smelling urine — possible UTI
- Inability to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours, signs of dehydration
- Sudden severe headache, vision changes, or upper-right abdominal pain — though these are more common later in pregnancy
Tests & Appointments This Week
Week 11 is when the NT (nuchal translucency) scan window opens. The scan must be performed between 11 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days. It measures the fluid at the back of the baby's neck (which is higher in some chromosomal conditions) and is usually combined with a blood test for the "combined first-trimester screen." Cell-free DNA testing (NIPT) can also be done now and provides higher accuracy for chromosomal screening, with bonus sex determination if you want it.
Tips for Week 11
- Book your NT scan if you haven't. The window closes at 13 weeks 6 days.
- Drink a glass of water 30 minutes before the scan. A moderately full bladder helps imaging at this stage.
- Start a pregnancy journal or app. The first trimester goes by in a haze; you'll forget more than you think.
- Buy supportive bras one cup size up. You're not done growing, but you need relief now.
- Plan when and how to share the news. Many people wait until after the NT scan or week 13.
Preparing for What's Next
Over the next few weeks:
- You will move into the second trimester — often called the "honeymoon" of pregnancy
- Nausea and fatigue typically improve significantly
- A real bump becomes visible to others
- You may need to start shopping for maternity basics: leggings, jeans with a stretchy panel, and bigger bras
- Start thinking about your anatomy scan (around week 20), when you can learn the sex via ultrasound if you didn't with NIPT
Frequently Asked Questions About Week 11
Is the NT scan painful or risky at 11 weeks?
No. The nuchal translucency (NT) scan is a standard external abdominal ultrasound — sometimes supplemented with a transvaginal probe if the baby's position makes measurement difficult. There is no needle, no radiation, and no known risk to the baby. The exam itself takes about 20–30 minutes. It is a screening test (it estimates risk), not a diagnostic test.
Can I feel the baby move at 11 weeks?
Your baby is actively moving — kicking, stretching, hiccupping, and even swallowing amniotic fluid — but at only about 4 cm long, those movements are far too small to feel through the uterine wall and abdominal muscles. First-time mothers usually feel the first flutters (called "quickening") between weeks 18 and 22. People who have been pregnant before may feel it as early as week 16.
Why is my hair suddenly thicker at 11 weeks?
Rising estrogen levels extend the growth phase of your hair cycle, meaning you shed less than usual. The result is thicker, fuller hair that many people enjoy throughout pregnancy. The flip side comes about 3–4 months postpartum, when those hairs finally shed together — this is normal postpartum hair loss, not a permanent change.
Is it normal to have weird dreams at 11 weeks pregnant?
Yes, very. Hormonal shifts, more frequent waking (often to pee), and lighter REM sleep mean pregnant people tend to remember dreams much more vividly. Anxiety dreams about the baby, labor, or losing the baby are extremely common and do not predict outcomes. If dreams are causing significant distress or insomnia, mention it to your provider.
When does morning sickness usually go away?
For most people, nausea begins to ease between weeks 12 and 14 as hCG levels drop from their peak and the placenta takes over hormone production. About 10% of pregnant people continue to feel nauseated into the second trimester, and a small group experience it the entire pregnancy. If yours is worsening rather than easing, or you cannot keep liquids down, contact your provider.
Should I tell work I'm pregnant at 11 weeks?
That is entirely personal and depends on your job, your relationship with your manager, and your risk tolerance. Most people wait until after the NT scan or until 12–13 weeks, when miscarriage risk has dropped significantly. If your job involves physical risk (lifting, chemicals, radiation) or you need accommodations for sickness or appointments, telling your employer earlier may be necessary. Know your legal protections before you disclose.
Why am I so thirsty at 11 weeks?
Your blood volume is increasing rapidly — up to 50% above pre-pregnancy levels by term — and your kidneys are filtering significantly more fluid. Both processes increase thirst. Aim for 8–10 cups of water per day, more in hot weather or with exercise. Pale yellow urine is a good sign of adequate hydration.
Is occasional cramping at 11 weeks something to worry about?
Mild, brief cramping is normal and usually represents the uterus stretching. Round ligament pain — sharp, fleeting pulls in the lower abdomen or groin when you change position — is also common as the uterus grows out of the pelvis. Call your provider if cramping is severe, persistent, one-sided, or accompanied by bleeding, fever, or shoulder pain.
Can I get a flu shot or COVID vaccine at 11 weeks?
Yes. Both the inactivated flu shot and updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended at any stage of pregnancy by ACOG, the CDC, and the WHO. They protect both you and the baby (antibodies cross the placenta). Avoid the live attenuated nasal flu vaccine during pregnancy. Talk to your provider if you have specific concerns.
What does it mean if the NT measurement is high?
An increased nuchal translucency measurement (typically over 3 mm) is associated with a higher risk of chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome, as well as some heart defects. It is a screening result, not a diagnosis. Most babies with a slightly increased NT are perfectly healthy. Your provider will usually recommend follow-up with cell-free DNA testing (NIPT) or diagnostic testing such as CVS or amniocentesis for confirmation.
Track Every Week with Whispie
Personalized pregnancy guidance, symptom tracking, and evidence-based support — all in one app.
Weekly parenting tips, no spam
Evidence-based guidance for your child's stage — straight to your inbox.