11 Weeks Pregnant

11 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

From an oversized head to tiny tooth buds, this week is full of exciting growth and changes, both big and small!

Your baby's facial features are slowly maturing, with the ears now moving toward their final position on the sides of the head, and the eyes set wide apart with eyelids fused shut.

Genitals are forming too, although it’s still too early for your healthcare provider to tell if you're having a girl or a boy. But even though you don’t know your baby’s gender yet, why not start a list of your favorite baby names for boys and girls? 

Tiny buds that will eventually become teeth are developing.

The head makes up half the total body length at this stage, although in the coming weeks the body will grow significantly too. To support all this growing, your baby now needs more nutrients, so the placenta grows, and its red blood cells increase in number to meet this need.

The Size of the Fetus at 11 Weeks Pregnant

At 11 weeks, the fetus is about the size of a Brussels sprout. From crown to rump, the average length is now 5 cm, and the average fetus weighs just about 28 grams.

For a more visual look at how things are developing inside your uterus, check out this illustration:

Mom’s Body at 11 Weeks Pregnant

Are you having unusual food cravings this week? They're quite common — between 50 and 90 percent of women experience these cravings at some point during pregnancy.

No one knows for sure why pregnancy cravings occur; some medical experts believe these cravings are your body’s way of telling you what it needs, while others blame them on changing hormone levels. As long as your food choices are part of a healthy pregnancy diet, go ahead and eat up!

There is a type of craving that needs medical attention, however: If you crave non-food items like clay or dirt, contact your healthcare provider.

11 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 11 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Breast growth. Your breasts may be a little larger now, and you can expect to see even more growth as your pregnancy progresses. Some of this may be because the milk glands grow in preparation for breastfeeding. You might gain up to three pounds of breast tissue over the course of your pregnancy.

• Increased vaginal discharge. Your body may be releasing more clear vaginal discharge now. This is normal as long as it is odorless and clear or white in color. If you notice changes including blood, itchiness, or a foul odor, contact your healthcare provider to rule out problems.

• Dark abdominal line. You might notice you have developed a long, dark line that runs vertically down the center of your belly. It’s called the linea nigra, or the “pregnancy line,” and it’s thought to be associated with hormonal changes. This line will likely fade after your baby’s birth.

• Leg cramps. You may be troubled by tight, painful leg cramps, particularly at night. This can make it tough to get a good night’s rest. Stretching can help with leg cramps, as can exercise. In some cases, mineral depletion may contribute to having leg cramps, so make sure that your diet is giving you enough calcium and magnesium, and take care to stay hydrated.

• Fatigue. Right now, your levels of the pregnancy hormone progesterone are increasing, which can sometimes make you sleepy when you’d rather be alert. And, if you’ve been waking to pee or having leg cramps or getting heartburn during the night, your sleep may be suffering too. Eliminating caffeine and following a relaxing bedtime ritual every evening can help fight pregnancy fatigue.

• Mood swings. You can thank your heightened hormone levels if you’ve been experiencing mood swings or moodiness lately. Try to avoid stress, and ensure you’re getting enough iron in your diet. Practicing yoga, doing simple meditations, or relaxing while listening to soft music might help you feel a little better. You could also ask your healthcare provider for advice on dealing with your mood swings, particularly if they’re interfering with your daily life.

• Morning sickness. You might experience queasiness and even vomiting at 11 weeks pregnant, and this can occur at any time of day. Morning sickness often subsides in the second trimester, though, and you’re almost there!

11 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

• While you’re pregnant, you’ll need about 80 to 85 milligrams of vitamin C every day to help your baby develop healthy bones and teeth. Try adding oranges and other citrus fruits, as well as strawberries, tomatoes, and broccoli to your diet to boost your vitamin C intake. If you’re in any doubt about whether you’re getting enough vitamin C, check in with your healthcare provider. For additional tips, read our article on eating well during pregnancy and read up on prenatal vitamins.

• Think about how you will announce your pregnancy. Many parents-to-be choose to start telling friends, colleagues, and family at the end of the first trimester or at the start of the second. Check out these 30 fun pregnancy announcement ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

• Check out our pregnancy announcement card ideas, or download our FREE pregnancy announcement cards.

• Consider where you will give birth. You don’t have to make a decision just yet, but you might want to start researching your options and looking around. Ask your doctor or midwife for their advice, and ask other moms in your area for their opinion, too.

• A note for dads: Now might be the time to start researching whether you are eligible for paternity leave, pay, or any other benefits either via your workplace or a governmental scheme. 

11 Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Doctor

• Is it time for the Rh test (to determine my blood compatibility with my baby’s), and does your partner need to be tested?

• Would an ultrasound at 11 weeks pregnant reveal a baby’s gender?

• What is the chance of miscarriage at 11 weeks pregnant?

• What genetic testing is recommended?

• Is chorionic villus sampling recommended?

• Is a nuchal translucency ultrasound recommended?

11 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

• Ask for our Pregnancy Guide for more tips and info on the coming trimesters.

• Check your insurance plan or contact your healthcare provider to learn more about your prenatal coverage.

• Get started on your baby registry. Even though plans for your baby shower might not be underway yet, and you may not have even shared news of your pregnancy, you can still start creating a wish list so that you’ll have one less thing to worry about later on.