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11 Weeks Pregnant: A Fig-Sized Baby and the Home Stretch of the First Trimester

Medically reviewed by

Maryum Sohail, MD Jul 24, 2026

Line illustration of a fig: at 11 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of a fig, roughly 41mm

Line drawing of an 11-week foetus with separated fingers and toes, ears in position and a large rounded head

Line drawing of a woman's torso at 11 weeks pregnant, showing the enlarged uterus filling the pelvis and a flat abdomen

Your baby is the size of a

Fig

Fetal weight varies widely and is complex to estimate accurately this early

~4.1 cm / ~1.6 in

Key Takeaways

Your baby is about the size of a fig. At 11 weeks pregnant your baby measures about 41mm from head to bottom, with fingers and toes separating and miniature fingernails and ears forming, according to the SOGC.

Your blood volume is up by half. Your body now pumps up to 50% more blood than before pregnancy to feed the womb — which is why you may feel hot, dizzy or wiped out this week.

The placenta is taking over. The placenta is about to replace the yolk sac as your baby's life-support system — a handover that Pregnancyinfo.ca and the SOGC link to the tiredness and emotional swings many women feel around now.

Your dating scan is near. A dating scan is typically offered between 8 and 14 weeks; if you haven't booked your first prenatal appointment yet, contact your doctor or midwife this week.

Your Baby at 11 Weeks: Development & Growth

At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby measures around 41mm from head to bottom — about the size of a fig — and is growing fast.

How Big Is Your Baby at 11 Weeks?

Your baby is about 41mm from crown to rump — roughly the size of a fig. The head is still oversized, taking up nearly half the body, but the torso is catching up quickly now. All measurements at this stage are taken head-to-bottom, because the legs are still curled too tightly to count.

Fingers, Toes and Tiny Fingernails

The webbing between your baby's fingers and toes is separating this week, leaving distinct digits. Miniature fingernails are forming, and the ears have shifted into position on the sides of the head. These are the finishing touches on a body that, structurally, is nearly complete.

Baby Movement at 11 Weeks

Your baby is already moving — kicking, stretching and shifting inside the womb. You won't feel any of it yet. Most women don't sense movement for several more weeks, often not until around week 17 to 20, because the baby is still small and cushioned by fluid.

When Does the Placenta Take Over?

The placenta takes over from the yolk sac as your baby's source of nourishment around 11 to 12 weeks, according to Pregnancyinfo.ca and the SOGC. Until now the yolk sac has done the work; from here, the placenta delivers oxygen and nutrients and removes waste. As this hormonal transition to the placenta stabilizes, you may actually begin to notice a welcome decrease in early pregnancy fatigue and emotional sensitivity.

Your Body at 11 Weeks: Symptoms & Changes

At 11 weeks pregnant, the most noticeable changes are rising blood volume, stretching ligaments and the fatigue of a hormonal handover — three things happening at once.

Why You Feel Hot and Dizzy: Blood Volume at 11 Weeks

Your body is now pumping up to 50% more blood than before pregnancy, the NHS reports. That extra volume feeds your growing womb, but it also relaxes your blood vessels and can leave you feeling hot, flushed and lightheaded. If you stand up too fast and the room tilts, that's why. Move slowly and sit down when it hits.

Stretching Pains Around Your Bump

As your uterus grows, the muscles and ligaments supporting it stretch — and that can ache. You may feel a dull pulling low in your abdomen, especially when you move suddenly. It's usually nothing to worry about, but see your doctor or midwife promptly if the pain is severe.

Fatigue and Mood Swings

Deep tiredness and shifting moods are common at 11 weeks, driven by the hormonal handover to the placenta. Gentle exercise, like a short walk, can actually lift fatigue rather than deepen it. Rest when your body asks. This is the most metabolically demanding stretch of pregnancy, even though almost nothing shows on the outside.

Skin Changes and a Sharper Sense of Smell

Pregnancy hormones can sharpen your sense of smell and change your skin this week. Some women notice greasier, spottier skin; others see darker patches on the face, often called chloasma or melasma. A heightened sense of smell can also feed nausea. None of it is permanent — most fades after birth.

What to Do at 11 Weeks Pregnant

NUTRITION AT 11 WEEKS PREGNANT

Eat iron-rich foods — lean red meat, lentils, spinach and fortified cereals — to support the extra blood your body is making this week. Pair them with vitamin C, like a glass of orange juice, to absorb iron better.
Avoid unpasteurised cheeses, undercooked meat and pâté, which Health Canada lists among foods to avoid in pregnancy because of listeria and toxoplasmosis risk.
If nausea still hits, eat small and often rather than large meals — keeping something in your stomach steadies blood sugar and eases queasiness.

WHAT SUPPLEMENTS TO TAKE AT 11 WEEKS PREGNANT

Continue taking 400mcg of folic acid daily, noting that moderate- to high-risk populations require a higher dosage as directed by a healthcare provider. Health Canada, the SOGC and the NHS all recommend it until at least week 12 to support your baby’s nervous system and protect against neural tube defects like spina bifida.
Take a daily vitamin D supplement — Health Canada recommends 600 IU (15mcg) a day in pregnancy. It matters year-round, especially if you get little direct sun or spend most of your day indoors.
If you don’t eat oily fish, consider an algae-based DHA omega-3 supplement to support your baby’s developing brain and eyes.

LIFESTYLE TIPS AT 11 WEEKS PREGNANT

Confirm your first prenatal appointment and dating scan. A dating scan is typically offered between 8 and 14 weeks; contact your doctor or midwife now if you haven’t received a date.
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, as the SOGC recommends — but start small. Even 10 minutes of brisk walking counts, and movement often eases first-trimester fatigue.
Expect a round of routine checks soon — blood, urine and blood-pressure tests are usually done around now to check your and your baby’s health.
If you’re feeling anxious or low, tell your midwife or doctor. Emotional wellbeing is part of antenatal care, and support is there for the asking.

When to Contact Your Doctor or Midwife

Contact your midwife or doctor if you experience:

Heavy vaginal bleeding or bright red blood — light spotting can be normal, but heavier bleeding should always be checked.
Severe or one-sided lower abdominal pain — while ectopic pregnancy is less likely by 11 weeks, sudden severe pain needs assessment.
Persistent vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down for more than 24 hours — a possible sign of hyperemesis gravidarum, which the SOGC estimates affects 1–3% of pregnancies.
A severe headache that won't ease with rest and acetaminophen (Tylenol), especially with visual disturbances. (Acetaminophen should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.)
Pain or burning when you pee, which can signal a urine infection that needs treatment in pregnancy.
Any concern that's worrying you — your doctor or midwife is there for exactly this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is my baby at 11 weeks pregnant?

At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 41mm from head to bottom — roughly the size of a fig. Measurements are taken crown-to-rump because the legs are still curled. The head remains large, but the body is growing quickly to catch up.

What symptoms are normal at 11 weeks pregnant?

Common symptoms at 11 weeks include fatigue, dizziness, nausea, sore breasts, a metallic taste and a heightened sense of smell. Most are driven by rising hormones and a 50% increase in blood volume. Heavy bleeding or severe one-sided pain isn't typical and should be checked by your doctor or midwife.

Can you tell the baby's sex at 11 weeks?

Not reliably on a standard scan. At 11 weeks the sex organs are still forming and look similar on ultrasound, so most sonographers can't confirm sex yet. The 18-to-20-week anomaly scan is the usual point for this, though some private blood tests can indicate sex earlier.

Why does my stomach hurt at 11 weeks pregnant?

Mild aches at 11 weeks are usually stretching pains, as the muscles and ligaments around your growing womb extend. They often feel like a dull pull low in the abdomen when you move. It's typically harmless — but contact your doctor or midwife if the pain is severe or persistent.

What happens at the 11-week scan?

The first scan, the dating scan, is offered between 8 and 14 weeks and confirms how many weeks pregnant you are, checks the heartbeat and the number of babies. It can also include the nuchal translucency measurement — fluid at the back of the baby's neck — used in combined screening for Down syndrome.

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Sources & References

NICE (2021) — Antenatal care: NICE guideline NG201
NHS — Week by week: 11 weeks pregnant
NHS — Ultrasound scans in pregnancy
Health Canada — Prenatal nutrition guidelines (Healthy pregnancy guide)

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