11 Weeks Pregnant: Your Guide to Baby's Development and Pregnancy Symptoms (2025 Edition)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Baby's Development at 11 Weeks
   • Size and Appearance
   • Internal Organ Development
   • Genital Development
3. Pregnancy Symptoms at 11 Weeks
   • Constipation and Gas
   • Heartburn
   • Conflicting Emotions
   • Fatigue
   • Vaginal Discharge
   • Food Aversions
   • Headaches
4. 11 Weeks Pregnant Belly
5. Pregnancy Checklist at 11 Weeks
   • Learn About Pregnancy Weight Gain
   • Build Your Support Network
   • Plan a Babymoon
   • Save Time at the Doctor's Office
   • Eat Calcium-Rich Foods
   • Take Care of Your Skin
6. When You'll Feel Baby's Kicks
7. Documenting Your Pregnancy
8. Sharing Your Pregnancy News
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. Conclusion
11. References

Introduction

Congratulations on reaching 11 weeks of pregnancy! As you approach the end of your first trimester, you may be experiencing a range of physical and emotional changes. This comprehensive guide will walk you through your baby's development, common pregnancy symptoms, and important tasks to consider at this stage.

Baby's Development at 11 Weeks

Size and Appearance

At 11 weeks, your baby is about the size of a fig, measuring approximately 1.61 inches from head to bottom and weighing around 1.59 ounces ^{1 2}. Your baby's tiny fingers and toes have lost their webbing and are now distinct and longer.

Internal Organ Development

As you reach the end of the first trimester, all your baby's vital organs are in place, and many have already started to function ³. The liver is making red blood cells, kidneys are producing urine, and the pancreas has begun to produce insulin. Your baby's heart is now fully formed with four chambers and beating regularly.

Genital Development

By the end of this week, your baby's genitals will start developing ⁴. The external sex organs – the penis and scrotum in boys, and the clitoris and labia in girls – don't begin to differ from each other until about 11 weeks. Even then, it takes several more weeks to easily distinguish between boys and girls on an ultrasound.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 11 Weeks

Constipation and Gas

Constipation, gas, and bloating are common during pregnancy, partly due to hormonal changes that can slow digestion ⁵. To keep things moving, sip water throughout the day, eat high-fiber foods (like fresh fruits and vegetables), and exercise regularly.

Heartburn

You may begin to experience heartburn, a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of your breastbone to your lower throat ⁶. To reduce heartburn, avoid lying down after eating, steer clear of fatty, spicy, fried, or highly seasoned foods, eat smaller meals, and limit your liquid intake during meals.

Conflicting Emotions

Having a baby profoundly changes your life, and it's normal to feel a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anxiety ⁷. Prioritize rest, plan healthy meals, exercise safely, and share your feelings with someone you trust to take care of yourself and your baby.

Fatigue

Pregnancy fatigue is likely still going strong, but hang in there – you may feel a burst of energy when you reach your second trimester ⁸. Keep your strength up by eating nutritious snacks, going to bed earlier, taking naps, and cutting out unnecessary tasks and commitments.

Vaginal Discharge

Increased estrogen levels might lead to more vaginal discharge ⁹. Healthy discharge is clear to milky-white and mild-smelling. Contact your healthcare provider if your discharge has an unpleasant smell, causes pain or itching, or appears gray, yellow, or green.

Food Aversions

Both food cravings and aversions are common and normal during pregnancy, likely due to hormonal changes and a heightened sense of smell ¹⁰. It's estimated that about 60% of pregnant women experience food aversions. While your appetite may be out of whack until your baby is born, food aversions typically subside in the second trimester.

Headaches

Headaches in the first trimester are often caused by hormonal changes, stress, congestion, allergies, lack of sleep, or dehydration ¹¹. Some safe ways to avoid and treat pregnancy headaches include exercising, watching out for triggers, and taking acetaminophen (with your healthcare provider's approval).

11 Weeks Pregnant Belly

If you don't notice a bump yet, don't be concerned. Every woman and every baby bump is different, and there isn't an exact time when pregnancy starts showing ¹². You'll start looking noticeably pregnant when your growing uterus begins to expand above the pubic bone, which may happen around 12 weeks at the earliest, but often a few weeks later. Before 12 weeks, the uterus remains within the pelvis and isn't usually visible.

The size of your belly depends on the position of your uterus, your height and weight, and whether you've had a baby before. Moms often start showing with a second pregnancy sooner, since their uterine and abdominal muscles have been stretched from their earlier pregnancy.

Pregnancy Checklist at 11 Weeks

Learn About Pregnancy Weight Gain

If you start at a healthy weight, experts recommend gaining 1 to 5 pounds during the first trimester ¹³. Some women gain more, sometimes because they can only stomach less-healthy foods. If you're concerned, use a pregnancy weight gain calculator and talk to your healthcare provider.

Build Your Support Network

Reach out to moms and expecting moms for advice and understanding. Connect with moms you know, join online communities like BabyCenter Birth Clubs, and attend prenatal yoga and parenting classes to meet expecting moms in your area ¹⁴.

Plan a Babymoon

A babymoon is a last-hurrah vacation you take during pregnancy ¹⁵. Whether you stay close to home or travel to a bucket-list destination, many expecting moms prefer to travel in their second trimester when they have the most energy.

Save Time at the Doctor's Office

You'll have frequent prenatal appointments, typically every four weeks in the first and second trimesters, and more often in the third trimester ¹⁶. Schedule your checkups for first thing in the morning or right after lunch to minimize waiting.

Eat Calcium-Rich Foods

Getting enough calcium is crucial during pregnancy for your baby's bone, teeth, nerve, and muscle development ¹⁷. Women 19 and older need 1000 mg of calcium a day from prenatal vitamins and calcium-rich foods like milk, dairy products, canned fish, and calcium-fortified foods.

Take Care of Your Skin

Pregnancy can bring various skin issues, such as acne, varicose veins, melasma, rashes, itchy skin, or stretch marks ¹⁸. While some can't be avoided, you can help your skin by drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and moisturizing frequently.

When You'll Feel Baby's Kicks

Your baby is busy somersaulting and stretching, but they're still too small for you to notice it ¹⁹. You probably won't feel your baby move until you're at least 16 weeks pregnant.

Documenting Your Pregnancy

Create a time-lapse record of your pregnancy by taking weekly photos of your growing bump ²⁰. You can take selfies or ask your partner or a friend to take the photos for you.

Sharing Your Pregnancy News

If you haven't shared your news yet, start thinking about how you'll let family and friends know you're expecting ²¹. Pregnancy announcements range from a group text message to an elaborately staged photo or big reveal.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it normal to not feel pregnant at 11 weeks? Yes, it's common to not feel pregnant at this stage, especially if it's your first pregnancy. Many women don't start showing or feeling fetal movement until later in the second trimester.

2. When can I find out my baby's sex? While the external genitals begin to differentiate around 11 weeks, it takes several more weeks to determine the sex on an ultrasound. Most healthcare providers schedule an anatomy scan between 18 and 22 weeks, during which you can usually find out your baby's sex if you choose.

3. What can I do to alleviate heartburn during pregnancy? To reduce heartburn, try eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding lying down after eating, and steering clear of fatty, spicy, or fried foods. If heartburn persists, talk to your healthcare provider about safe antacid options.

4. Is it safe to exercise at 11 weeks pregnant? In most cases, exercise is safe and encouraged during pregnancy. However, if you have a high-risk pregnancy or certain medical conditions, consult your healthcare provider for guidance on safe physical activities.

Conclusion

At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is developing rapidly, and you may be experiencing a range of physical and emotional changes. By understanding your baby's growth, common pregnancy symptoms, and important tasks to consider, you can feel more prepared and empowered as you navigate this exciting journey. Remember to prioritize self-care, reach out for support when needed, and enjoy this special time in your life.

References

# 11 Weeks Pregnant: Key Milestones and Checklist

## Baby's Development
- Size: About the size of a fig (1.61 inches, 1.59 ounces)
- Fingers and toes are distinct and longer
- Vital organs are functioning (liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart)
- Genitals are beginning to differentiate

## Pregnancy Symptoms
- Constipation and gas
- Heartburn
- Conflicting emotions
- Fatigue
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Food aversions
- Headaches

## Pregnancy Checklist
- Learn about healthy pregnancy weight gain
- Build a support network of moms and expecting moms  
- Plan a babymoon for the second trimester
- Schedule prenatal appointments strategically to minimize waiting
- Eat calcium-rich foods (1000 mg/day fo

Footnotes

1. Hadlock FP et al. 1991. In utero analysis of fetal growth: A sonographic weight standard. Radiology 181 (1). https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiology.181.1.1887021 ↩

2. Hadlock FP et al. 1992. Fetal cross-rump length: Reevaluation of relation to menstrual age (5-18 weeks) with high-resolution real-time US. Radiology 182: 5-1-505. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1732970/ ↩

3. ACOG. 2024. How your fetus grows during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy ↩

4. MedlinePlus (ADAM). 2023. Fetal development. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm ↩

5. Mayo Clinic. 2022. Fetal development: The 1st trimester. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20045302 ↩

6. Mayo Clinic. 2022. Heartburn during pregnancy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/heartburn-during-pregnancy/faq-20057757 ↩

7. American Pregnancy Association. 2021. Emotional changes during pregnancy. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/emotional-changes-during-pregnancy/ ↩

8. ACOG. 2024. Fatigue and sleep during pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/fatigue-and-sleep-during-pregnancy ↩

9. ACOG. 2024. Vulvovaginal health during pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vulvovaginal-health-during-pregnancy ↩

10. ACOG. 2024. Nutrition during pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy ↩

11. Mayo Clinic. 2022. Headaches during pregnancy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/headaches-during-pregnancy/faq-20058265 ↩

12. ACOG. 2024. Belly size during pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/belly-size-during-pregnancy ↩

13. Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. 2009. Weight gain during pregnancy: Reexamining the guidelines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. ↩

14. March of Dimes. 2024. Building a support network during pregnancy. https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/building-a-support-network.aspx ↩

15. American Pregnancy Association. 2021. Babymoon: Planning a pre-baby getaway. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/babymoon/ ↩

16. ACOG. 2024. Prenatal care. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/prenatal-care ↩

17. NIH. 2023. Calcium. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/ ↩

18. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 2021. Skin changes during pregnancy. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/pregnancy/skin-changes-during ↩

19. ACOG. 2024. Fetal movement: What to expect. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/fetal-movement-what-to-expect ↩

20. Mayo Clinic. 2022. Pregnancy week by week. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/basics/pregnancy-calendar/hlv-20049699 ↩

21. American Pregnancy Association. 2021. Sharing the news about your pregnancy. https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/sharing-the-news-about-your-pregnancy/ ↩