11 Weeks Pregnant: Baby’s Rapid Growth and Your Changing Body

ByiPrego Editorial Team

Medically reviewed by

Maureen Kelly, RN — 20+ years in L&D, postpartum, NICU, and women’s health.

Reviewed against ACOG, AAP, and Mayo Clinic guidance. Meet Maureen →

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your individual pregnancy.

Welcome to week 11 of your pregnancy! You’re nearing the end of your first trimester, and incredible development is happening inside. Your baby is now about the size of a lime, and their little body is becoming more refined each day. This week marks an exciting time when many babies start to hiccup for the first time—a sign of their developing nervous system.

Baby Development at 11 Weeks

At 11 weeks, your baby is approximately 1.6 inches long from crown to rump—about the size of a lime. Your baby’s fingers and toes are beginning to separate from the webbing that connected them, giving them a more distinct appearance. Fingerprints are already forming on those tiny fingertips, making your baby truly one-of-a-kind.

Tooth buds are forming in the gums. Facial features are becoming more refined, with the eyes moving closer together and the ears migrating toward their proper position. Your baby’s head is still large relative to the body, but the body is growing and catching up.

Your baby can now hiccup—involuntary contractions of the diaphragm that signal the nervous system is developing beautifully. Your baby is also becoming more active, making spontaneous movements throughout the day, though you won’t feel these for several more weeks. For more about when to expect movement, see our guide to baby movement during pregnancy.

Your Body This Week

You’re in the home stretch of your first trimester. By week 11, you’ve likely gained 3 to 5 pounds, though this varies widely. The pregnancy hormone hCG is still rising, which is why nausea may still be present—though for many, these symptoms are beginning to ease.

Your uterus has grown to about the size of a grapefruit and is rising further out of your pelvis. Your breasts are likely fuller and more tender as hormones prepare them for milk production.

Blood volume has already increased by about 10 percent, which is why some women experience headaches, dizziness, or fatigue. Your heart is working harder to pump this increased blood volume, and your kidneys are working overtime. These changes are completely normal. For more on what to expect, see our first trimester guide.

Common Symptoms at 11 Weeks

Nausea and Morning Sickness: Many women find nausea peaks around week 8-10 and begins improving by week 11. Ginger supplements, vitamin B6, small frequent meals, and staying hydrated continue to help. See our morning sickness remedies guide.

Fatigue: Pregnancy hormones, increased blood volume, and metabolic demands leave many women exhausted. This is your body’s way of telling you it needs rest.

Frequent Urination: Increased blood volume, hormonal changes, and your growing uterus pressing on your bladder mean constant bathroom visits.

Constipation and Bloating: Progesterone slows your digestive system. Increasing fiber, staying hydrated, and gentle movement help.

Mood Changes: Hormonal fluctuations bring emotional ups and downs. If mood changes are severe or persistent, talk with your healthcare provider.

What to Do This Week

Schedule your first trimester screening. The nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound is done between weeks 11-14 and helps assess risk for genetic conditions. Discuss NIPT or other screening options with your provider.

Ensure you’re taking quality prenatal vitamins with folic acid, iron, calcium, and DHA. See our prenatal vitamins guide.

Practice pelvic floor exercises. Gentle Kegels now can help prevent incontinence later in pregnancy and postpartum.

Review foods to avoid. Familiarize yourself with foods to avoid during pregnancy, including high-mercury fish, raw meats, and unpasteurized dairy.

Stay active. Pregnancy-safe exercises like walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga support your energy and mood.

Nutrition Spotlight: Protein and Iron

At 11 weeks, you need about 300 extra calories per day—roughly a piece of toast with nut butter or Greek yogurt with berries.

Protein: Aim for 70-100 grams daily from lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dairy. Protein builds your baby’s muscles, organs, and tissues.

Iron: Your blood volume is expanding and your baby needs iron to develop. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, fortified cereals, legumes, and dark leafy greens. Pair with vitamin C sources to enhance absorption. See our pregnancy weight gain guide for nutrition details.

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding, especially with cramping or tissue passage
  • Severe or persistent abdominal pain or cramping
  • Inability to keep food or fluids down (possible hyperemesis gravidarum)
  • Severe headaches or visual changes
  • Fainting or severe dizziness
  • Fever over 101°F
  • Painful urination or unusual discharge

For detailed guidance, see our guide to when to call your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to still feel nauseous at 11 weeks?

Yes. Morning sickness typically peaks around weeks 8-10 and improves during the second trimester, but some women experience nausea throughout the first trimester and occasionally beyond. If nausea is severe, talk to your provider about treatment options.

Can I feel my baby moving at 11 weeks?

Most first-time mothers won’t feel fetal movement until 16-20 weeks. Your baby is moving now, but they’re still too small for you to feel. Women who’ve been pregnant before may feel movement slightly earlier.

What’s the difference between NT scan and NIPT?

The NT scan is an ultrasound measuring fluid behind your baby’s neck, done between weeks 11-14. NIPT is a blood test that analyzes fetal DNA in your blood and is more accurate. Both are screening tools, not diagnostic tests. Discuss options with your provider.

← Week 10 | Pregnancy Week-by-Week Guide | Week 12 →

Key takeaways for the first trimester

  • Most fetal organ systems form between weeks 5 and 10. Folic acid (400–800 mcg daily) supports neural tube closure.
  • Nausea affects up to 80% of pregnancies (ACOG). It usually peaks around week 9 and resolves by week 14–16.
  • The first prenatal visit is typically scheduled between weeks 8 and 10.
  • Common symptoms — fatigue, breast tenderness, food aversions, mood swings — are driven by rising hCG and progesterone.
  • Miscarriage risk drops significantly after a heartbeat is detected on ultrasound (around week 6–8).

When to call your provider

Call your OB-GYN, midwife, or labor and delivery unit right away if you experience:

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding (more than light spotting)
  • Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
  • A severe headache that doesn’t respond to acetaminophen
  • Sudden facial, hand, or leg swelling
  • Vision changes (spots, blurring, light sensitivity)
  • Decreased fetal movement after 28 weeks (fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours during baby’s active period)
  • Signs of preterm labor: regular contractions, pelvic pressure, low back pain, fluid leaking
  • Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)

When in doubt, call. Your provider would always rather hear from you about a non-issue than miss something important.

Frequently asked questions about week 11

How big is the baby at 11 weeks pregnant?

At 11 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a fig (~1.6 inches, 0.25 oz). Size estimates vary from baby to baby and are based on standardized growth charts (ACOG, NICHD).

What symptoms are common at 11 weeks pregnant?

Common first-trimester symptoms include fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea (often called morning sickness, though it can occur any time of day), food aversions, frequent urination, and mood changes. These are driven by rising hCG and progesterone.

What prenatal appointments happen around 11 weeks?

The first-trimester combined screen (NT scan + blood work) is offered between weeks 11 and 13 for chromosomal screening.

When should I worry at 11 weeks pregnant?

Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in an hour), severe one-sided pelvic pain (possible ectopic pregnancy), persistent vomiting that prevents fluid intake, fever over 100.4°F, or sudden cessation of all early-pregnancy symptoms warrant a same-day call to your provider.

Is what I’m feeling at 11 weeks normal?

Most of the symptoms experienced at 11 weeks are part of typical pregnancy and reflect your body’s adjustments. If anything feels alarming, severe, or unusual for you, contact your provider — trust your instincts.

Sources

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month (current edition). acog.org
  • American Academy of Pediatrics. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child (current edition).
  • Mayo Clinic. Pregnancy week by week. mayoclinic.org
  • National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Pregnancy and Pregnancy Loss research and guidance.

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