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Week 11 pregnancy ultrasound


You and Baby at 11 Weeks Pregnant

Key Takeaways at 11 Weeks Pregnant

  • Between now and week 14, you’ll have the first trimester screen; this consists of a nuchal translucency screening (NTS) via ultrasound (this looks at the thickness of the back of baby's neck) and a blood test. Together, the results can determine baby’s risk for certain chromosomal abnormalities or conditions.
  • You may have a teeny baby bump at this point—or your clothes might start feeling a bit tight. Either way, you won’t be able to get away with your regular jeans for much longer.
  • You’re in the thick of the first trimester and those pregnancy symptoms are still strong, thanks to all that hCG flooding through your system. Sore breasts, morning sickness and out-of-control exhaustion are just a few things you might be experiencing. Rest assured that these unpleasantries should improve in a few short weeks as you approach the second trimester.

Pregnancy week 11 is a great time to start planning a babymoon with your partner. We recommend you go on this trip in the second trimester, since that’s when you’ll feel most energized, and we doubt you’ll want to do a lot of traveling once you hit the third trimester. So at 11 weeks pregnant, take your mind off your queasiness and start scouting some destinations now. (Staycations totally count!) If you need another diversion, imagine your growing baby at 11 weeks, doing just fine in there, becoming more developed every day.

Watch Week 11 Highlights

Baby at Week 11

You can't see it, but baby is moving fluidly and gracefully inside your 11 weeks pregnant belly. Your 11-week fetus has skin that’s see-through but is on its way to becoming more opaque. At 11 weeks, baby's fingers and toes aren't webbed anymore. Tooth buds, hair follicles and nail beds are forming too. Cool, huh?!

How big is baby at 11 weeks?

Baby is now as big as a lime! Your 11-week fetus is about 1.6 inches long and weighs in at about .25 ounces. They’ve got about a 1:1 head-to-body ratio. (It may sound weird, but that will change!)

11 weeks pregnant is how many months?

Pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, so doctors tend to track your progress by weeks, not months. But if you really want to know, at 11 weeks you're about two months and three weeks pregnant. In three more weeks, you’ll begin the second trimester.

11 week ultrasound

Right around now—between weeks 11 and 14—you may be getting a first trimester screen. This is a combo of a special ultrasound called a Nuchal Translucency Screening (NTS) and a blood test. During the 11 weeks pregnant ultrasound, the technician or doctor will measure the back of baby’s neck. An abnormal measurement could be a sign of a chromosomal abnormality. Then the blood test will screen for too-low or too-high hormone levels. Taking into account the results of both the NTS and the blood test, your doctor will tell you baby’s risk of having certain chromosomal conditions. Waiting for the results may be nerve-wracking, but knowing the results will likely give you peace of mind.

For women who are 11 weeks pregnant with twins, an ultrasound at this point would show the babies’ umbilical cords and either one placenta or two. If the babies share a placenta, the fetuses are probably identical twins. If they have two separate placentas, they may be identical or fraternal. Identical twins sharing the same placenta usually need more frequent check-ups to be sure they’re both getting enough nutrition. Yep, even in utero these siblings already have to learn to share!

3D Views: My Baby, My Body

See their progress for yourself with our 3D interactive tool.

See My Baby in 3D

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Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 11

Around 11 weeks, your body (and mind!) are still completely haywire. It’s probably tough to feel calm right now, since your hormones are still raging and you may still be feeling pretty nauseous. But know there’s light at the end of the tunnel—just a few more weeks left in the first trimester, which is notoriously the worst for pregnancy symptoms! Here’s more about what you’re likely feeling at 11 weeks pregnant:

Fatigue

You’re beat, but you can expect a surge in your energy in trimester two. Until then, give yourself permission to kick back and get some extra rest.

Nausea

We get it. You’re sick and tired of being sick and tired. We promise you should start to feel more like yourself soon.

Gas

Sorry, but tummy troubles are par for the pregnancy course. If you’re experiencing uncomfortable rumblings and bubblings, keep a close eye on your diet (if you’re able to hold anything down, that is) and try to avoid foods that make you gassy, such as beans, cabbage, fried foods and desserts. Drink lots of liquids and eat fiber-rich foods too.

Mood swings

Are you feeling up one minute, then down the next? Mood swings are completely natural thanks to the hormones swirling through your body. Try some mind/body exercises, like yoga, to help you feel more Zen. And if possible, avoid stressful situations. If the mood swings seem drastic, or you have a history of mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, it helps to check in with your doctor.

Leg cramps

Tight, painful muscles can strike at night and interfere with your sleep. Drinking plenty of water can prevent leg cramps, and so can stretching your legs during the day. You also want to take a look at your diet to be sure you’re getting enough potassium and magnesium.

Skin darkening

One morning you might wake and think, “whoa! What’s that dark line down the center of my belly and why is it there?” Well, this is a totally normal pregnancy symptom called the linea nigra. This dark line is caused by hormonal changes and isn’t usually permanent, though you might notice that it sticks around for a while after you give birth, especially if you breastfeed (because of the hormones involved with nursing).

Vaginal discharge

Okay, so you’re probably going to want to invest in some pantiliners, because an increase in discharge can be expected throughout your pregnancy. This 11 weeks pregnant symptom is your body’s way of eliminating secretions from the vagina and cervix.

Women who are 11 weeks pregnant with twins often have elevated hormone levels, which may mean double the symptoms and higher weight gain. Both are normal, and you’ll likely experience increased energy and decreased nausea in the coming weeks.

What you might feel like at 11 weeks pregnant

Wondering what you should feel like at 11 weeks pregnant? You’ve probably got some of those 11 week pregnant symptoms we mentioned, as well as general aches and pains as your body is undergoing so many changes. On the plus side, you may be noticing that your hair and nails are starting to grow. Above all, continue to listen to your body and rest when you need to.

Your Pregnant Belly at 11 Weeks

Is that a baby bump or gas and bloating? At 11 weeks pregnant, it can be hard to tell! Especially if it’s your first pregnancy, you might not be showing at 11 weeks. Women pregnant with their second babies and those who are 11 weeks pregnant with twins tend to start showing earlier than first-time moms-to-be.

While your belly may or may not be visibly changing, you may be surprised to see your breasts have noticeably changed (which may be welcome or unwelcome, depending on your preference!). We recommend you shop for some new, comfy, stretchy bras at this stage in the game. If you’re planning on breastfeeding, a nursing bra can be worn now and will come in handy after baby’s born. Plus, nursing bras are normally made to keep up with a changing bust size, and you probably have some more growing to do.

With an 11-week fetus, the chance of miscarriage might be on your mind. It’s tough not to worry—welcome to motherhood!—but now that you’ve seen baby’s heartbeat, your miscarriage risk has significantly dropped, and once you hit your second trimester, the risk will be less than 1 percent.

Can I have a baby bump at 11 weeks pregnant?

Definitely! Every woman’s body is different, and a bump can start popping out when baby’s at 11 weeks (especially if you’re carrying multiples or have been pregnant before). In some cases, the first sign of a bump may not be a rounded belly but a too-tight feeling in the waistband of your favorite jeans or skirt. Time to shop for maternity clothes!

Can you feel baby move at 11 weeks?

Was that a kick you just felt? You’re probably eager to experience those magical first flutters and wondering, “can you feel baby move at 11 weeks?” At this stage, it’s probably a little too early to feel baby move—that won’t “kick” in until around the second trimester. That’s because your 11-week fetus is still too small, but don’t worry—it will happen soon!

“Why choose a midwife? You're looking for someone to hold space for you in your transition to parenthood and walk you through your options for compassionate, personalized, evidence-based care for your pregnancy. Midwives will help keep you and your baby safe while making sure you feel cared for and respected.” - Olivia Bennett, MSN, CNM, ARNP, certified nurse midwife and clinical director at Quilted Health in Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington

Tips for 11 Weeks Pregnant

Want to take charge of your health and that of your future baby? Here’s what you can do now.

Get lots of calcium

Helping baby grow strong bones and teeth requires about 1,000 milligrams of calcium as part of your daily diet. Dairy products like milk, yogurt and pasteurized cheese are always good choices, but you can also get calcium from other sources like almonds, salmon, tofu and eggs.

Take a walk

Stretch those legs! Walking is one of the best forms of exercise during pregnancy because it’s safe, easy to do, gentle on the joints and a great all-over workout. If you’re new to exercise, walking is also ideal because you can start at your own pace and distance and work up gradually. Plus, all that fresh air and movement may help with nausea! Just make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid walking during the hottest times of the day.

Eat right to avoid heartburn

Gas and nausea during pregnancy are hard enough without throwing heartburn into the mix. You can curb that acid reflux by eating small meals and steering clear of foods that are heavy on spice and fat. And as great as it feels to put your feet up after a meal, try not to lie down right away so your food can properly digest.

Baby your skin

When baby’s at 11 weeks, your skin hasn’t started to expand too much yet, which is why it’s the perfect time to be proactive about stretch marks. There’s no sure-fire way to avoid those stripes (sometimes it’s just a matter of genetics), but moisturizing regularly, drinking plenty of water and eating skin-boosting nutrients like Vitamins C, E, B2, B3 and zinc can help.

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Pregnancy Checklist at 11 Weeks Pregnant

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Your baby

Your baby now measures about 4. 5 cm — about the size of a fig - and weighs around 10g. The brain and nervous system have almost finished developing. The muscles and nerves are now starting to work together so the baby is starting to make small, jerky movements around your uterus.

The baby’s head is now about the same length as their body. The bones are starting to harden, the baby’s hands and feet are in front of their body, and they have individual fingers and toes with nail beds. The passages of the nose are open and the tongue has formed.

The fingernails are growing, the heart is pumping blood, and there are teeth inside the gums.

Your baby at 11 weeks

Length:4.5cm
Weight:10g

Your body

Many women find morning sickness starts to settle down by week 11, although some don’t feel better until about week 14, when the pregnancy hormones decrease and the placenta starts to support the baby.

You might get cramps in your legs or feet. One way of dealing with this is to eat more calcium in foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese. Make sure you’re getting enough exercise, too – about 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day is ideal.

Things to remember

From week 11 of your pregnancy, you can have an ultrasound scan to check how the baby is developing. This is often when you see an image of your baby for the first time. An ultrasound can be used to check your due date and also whether your baby is at risk of a condition such as Down syndrome.

You might also think about prenatal screening now to check for Down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities. You do not have to do this; it depends on your age, history and own personal circumstances. Now is a good time to talk to your doctor or a genetic counsellor about whether screening is right for you.

The reasons you might decide to talk to a genetic counsellor include if:

  • there are genetic conditions in your family or the father’s family
  • you or your partner has a serious condition that could be passed on to the baby
  • you both carry a faulty gene
  • you are older than 35
  • you have been exposed to harmful chemicals or household products during your pregnancy
  • you have had an ultrasound or another screening test that showed your baby could be at increased risk
  • you and your partner come from an ethnic backgrounds where genetic problems are more common

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Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Sources:
NSW Health (Having a baby), Raising Children Network (Pregnancy week-by-week), Medical News Today (Your pregnancy at 11 weeks)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: August 2020


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