Pregnancy › Week by Week › Week 11
At 11 weeks your baby is about the size of a fig, with separated fingers and toes, hardening bones, and a diaphragm that may already be practicing tiny hiccups.
Size
A fig
crown to rump
Length
1.6 in
about 4.1 cm
Weight
0.25 oz
about 7 g
Your baby at 11 weeks
Fingers and toes have separated, tooth buds are forming, and bones are starting to harden.
Your baby is looking more and more like a tiny person this week, with the head still large in proportion but the body catching up and lengthening quickly.
Hands and mouth. The fingers and toes have fully separated and are no longer webbed. Tooth buds are forming under the gums, and tiny nail beds continue to develop on those little fingers.
Bones and breathing. The bones that started as soft cartilage are beginning to harden, and the diaphragm is forming. Some babies start practicing tiny hiccups around now, part of getting the breathing muscles ready long before there is any air to breathe.
Movement. Your baby is moving more freely, stretching and shifting in all that room. The individual movements are becoming more coordinated even though you cannot feel them yet.
How big is your baby at 11 weeks?
About 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) crown to rump and around 0.25 ounces (7 g).
Measurements this early are taken crown to rump, from the top of the head to the bottom, because the legs are usually curled up. Your baby is growing fast now, nearly doubling in length over these few weeks.
Your body at 11 weeks
For some people nausea starts to ease this week, with small hints of energy returning.
You are getting close to the end of the first trimester, and for some people that means the worst of the nausea begins to loosen its grip and a little energy starts to return. It does not happen for everyone at exactly the same time, so if you are still feeling rough, that is normal too.
You may notice changes in your skin and hair thanks to the surge of hormones and increased blood flow. Some people get that pregnancy glow, others get breakouts or darker patches of skin, and hair can feel thicker. Increased discharge is common and normal as long as it stays thin and mild. Keep up the small, frequent meals and gentle movement that help you feel your best.
What is normal, and when to call your provider
Mild cramping and light spotting can be normal in early pregnancy, but call your doctor or midwife the same day if you have any of these:
- Heavy bleeding, especially soaking a pad, or passing clots
- Severe or persistent abdominal or pelvic pain, or strong one sided pain
- A fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Severe vomiting where you cannot keep any fluids down, which can be more than ordinary morning sickness and is worth treating
- Fainting, or dizziness that does not pass
Your week 11 checklist
- Schedule your NT scan if you want it; the window runs from 11 to 14 weeks
- Keep taking your prenatal vitamin with folate every day
- Keep meals small and frequent and stay hydrated if nausea is still lingering
- Book any first trimester screening blood work your provider recommends
- Start a running list of questions for your next appointment
Appointments and tests around 11 weeks
The NT scan window opens this week and runs from 11 to 14 weeks.
From 11 weeks you can have the nuchal translucency (NT) scan, an ultrasound that measures the fluid at the back of your baby’s neck. Done between 11 and 14 weeks, it is often paired with a first trimester blood screen, and together they estimate the chance of certain chromosomal conditions. Like NIPT, the NT scan is a screen rather than a diagnosis: it gives a probability, not a yes or no answer. If a result needs following up, your provider will talk you through diagnostic options. It is completely optional, and you can accept or decline it based on what feels right for you.
A few things worth having on hand now
A note for your partner
The NT scan is often the first real ultrasound, and it is a lovely one to be at if you can. Seeing your baby move on the screen tends to make everything land in a new way. If screening decisions feel weighty, talk them through together beforehand so you both walk in feeling settled about what you do and do not want.
You are not alone this week
Eleven weeks sits right at the edge of the first trimester, close enough to hope for relief but not always there yet. If you are feeling impatient for the fog to lift, that is understandable. Whether your energy is creeping back or you are still counting down, you are in very normal company.
11 weeks pregnant, common questions
What is the NT scan?
The nuchal translucency (NT) scan is an ultrasound done between 11 and 14 weeks that measures fluid at the back of your baby’s neck. Combined with a blood test, it estimates the chance of certain chromosomal conditions. It is a screen, not a diagnosis, and it is optional.
Will my nausea go away soon?
Possibly. For many people the worst of the first trimester nausea starts to ease around 11 to 14 weeks as the placenta takes over hormone production. For others it lingers a bit longer, and both are normal.
Can my baby really hiccup at 11 weeks?
Some babies do begin practicing tiny hiccups around now as the diaphragm forms. You will not feel them this early, but it is part of getting the breathing muscles ready.
Do I need both the NT scan and NIPT?
Not necessarily. They are different screening approaches, and some people choose one, both, or neither. Your provider can help you decide what makes sense for your situation.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), first trimester care and screening guidance.
- Mayo Clinic, Fetal development: the 1st trimester.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH), Fetal development and prenatal care.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for information and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. Always follow the guidance of your doctor, midwife, or qualified provider, and contact them with any concerns.