11 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms and more

Your baby is now more than 4 cm long – about the size of a fig, ifyou’re measuring in fruit! At 11 weeks, the foetus is developing quickly and by the end of the first trimester it will be fully formed.

With the organs functioning and the placenta getting ready to take over, these last two weeks of the first trimester are all about the details. The fingers and toes are separating, tiny fingernails are forming, and by the end of this week the baby’s genitals will start forming.

No bump yet? This is perfectly normal.

In first pregnancies, most people don’t start to show for another couple of weeks, although if this is your second or third pregnancy, you may be able to make out the beginnings of a bump, as the size of your uterus will already have increased before – it’s an easier stretch! You probably will notice some weight gain, however, as your body builds up its fat reserves. This is also quite normal, and nothing to worry about.

Back/abdominal pain

The pulling sensation in your abdomen may still occur every now and again, caused by the growth in your uterus. You might also experience back pain when exercising or when sitting or lying on one side of your body. This is because your tendons are more relaxed and flexible to cope with your changing body.

Keeping active will help relieve pain and build the stamina you need to take you through the more arduous months of pregnancy, and beyond. Gentle, non-contact sports and activities are effective ways to help your body do its job, boost your strength and avoid sore muscles.

Giving birth will be hard work too – it’ll take all the strength, endurance and stamina you’ve got. So physical activity is important during pregnancy! Were you a sporty person before? Then keep it up! * If not, it’s a good idea to start, but don’t overdo it: go for walks, go swimming, try Pilates, pregnancy yoga, etc.

*Consult your gynaecologist or midwife about which sports are suitable and whether it’s a good idea to continue with competitive sport.

Sore breasts

You'll continue to experience sore, painful breasts (and sensitive nipples) for the next few weeks. These symptoms will ease in the middle months of your pregnancy, as your mammary glands will have developed as much as possible by then. From that point on, your breasts will be ready to fulfil their role when the time comes to breastfeed your baby.

Things to look out for

If you’re feeling emotional again, blame the hormones. The placenta is gearing up to take over from the little yolk sac your baby has been feeding on for the last 9 weeks. When the switch happens, you might notice you’re feeling more tired and your emotions are running close to the surface.

Coming up, you can also look out for a dark line running vertically down your abdomen. Called the linea negra (literally, black line), it usually shows up around the middle of pregnancy – so not quite yet – and usually fades in the months after the birth.

You might be feeling a little self-conscious about your expanding waistline these days but remember that it's completely normal to be gaining weight right now – after all, you're growing another human being inside!

It's important not to diet during pregnancy, as this can be harmful to both you and your baby. However, you also want to avoid over-eating, which is equally harmful. Eating a variety of healthy foods will ensure both you and the baby are getting the nutrients you need to support baby’s development and your own growth and change.

It's normal to gain between 10 – 12 kg during pregnancy (22 – 28lb), and around a tenth of this will be in the first trimester.

Read our guide for more tips on eating healthily during pregnancy.

Did you know? All pregnant women are entitled to free prescriptions and free dental treatment. The changes going on in your body during pregnancy mean your teeth may need extra care, so it's a great idea to book an appointment with your dentist.

Vitamins and minerals

You should still be taking your folic acid supplements at this point, as well as ensuring you’re getting the recommended daily dose of Vitamin D. Many people opt to take a pregnancy multivitamin to ensure they get all the right vitamins and minerals, such as Zinc, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, etc.

Drink plenty of water

As well as eating well, you also need to make sure you’re drinking plenty as pregnancy makes you thirsty! Tempting though it might be to avoid all those trips to the loo by cutting down on your water intake, it’s not worth it. Hydration keeps you healthy.

Write down your questions

If you have an urgent question or concern, you should always get in touch with your midwife straight away. But sometimes you have questions that don’t need urgent answers – perhaps related to your birth plan, or what to expect later in your pregnancy.

Keep a notebook handy and make a note of your questions so that next time you’re with your GP, midwife, or if you see anyone else related to your pregnancy, you make sure you get your questions answered. Sometimes it’s a good idea to hand the questions over to the health professional at the beginning of the appointment so you don’t forget or run out of time to ask them. 

Not sure what you should be asking? We have a list of top questions to ask a midwife.

What does a baby look like at 11 weeks pregnant?

Your baby’s head is still large in proportion to its body, but it’s otherwise a much more recognisably human shape than it was even a few weeks ago. The bones of the face are fully formed and the eyelids are closed – they won’t open for a few weeks yet.

When you see the baby on the ultrasound soon, it will be hard to make out what’s what because it’s all still so small, so don’t be too disappointed if you can’t tell its head from its bottom!

Why am I so bloated at 11 weeks pregnant?

Blame the hormones! Progesterone causes your gastrointestinal tract to relax, slowing down digestion and allowing a build-up of gas that can cause bloating and wind. Hey, nobody said pregnancy was glamorous. The good news is, the slowing down enables more of the food you eat to feed your baby, so it’s worth it.

If you get painful trapped wind, you can try sucking on mints, drinking peppermint tea, going for a walk, or a bit of yoga to relieve symptoms.

Where is my baby positioned at 11 weeks?

At 11 weeks pregnant, the foetus is floating in the amniotic sac, which protects the baby and maintains a constant temperature. Right now, there's plenty of room to move, and your baby is taking full advantage of the space to kick and stretch – though you probably won’t be able to feel it yet. Your uterus is still very low down in your body, sitting behind your pubic bone.

Is cramping at 11 weeks pregnant normal?

You will probably experience occasional twinges as your body adjusts to your growing uterus. This is most likely round ligament pain and not actually abdominal cramps. Round ligament pain can come on with sudden movements, such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, or rolling over in bed. It can be quite painful but shouldn’t last very long. If you’re experiencing painful and persistent cramps lower down in your abdomen, contact your midwife.

Can I take a bath at 11 weeks?

Yes. You can take a bath at any point during pregnancy – in fact, it’s a lovely way to relax and ease some of the aches and pains. However, it’s important you don’t raise your core temperature, as this can be dangerous for the baby. So, avoid baths that are too hot – if you have to lower yourself in very slowly, or if it makes your skin red or sweaty, it’s probably too hot.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.