Week 11 of Your Pregnancy

Week 11 of your pregnancy may feel like a strange, in-between time. Still, a lot is happening this week.

Pregnancy Journey Week 11

Design By Alice Morgan / Illustration by Tara Anand

It's week 11 of your pregnancy, which means you're almost at the end of your first trimester and truly rounding a corner when it comes to certain symptoms—including seemingly endless bouts of nausea.

Pregnancy Week 11 Quick Facts

  • At 11 weeks, you’re three months pregnant
  • You have 29 weeks until your due date
  • You're in the first trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size at 11 Weeks

At 11 weeks, your fetus measures about 1.61 inches in length. It weighs about a quarter of an ounce, and while it's still tiny (about the size of a pacifier or a large strawberry, to be exact!), developmentally, big things are happening!

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 11

Many of your week 11 pregnancy symptoms are similar to what they’ve been in the last several weeks. Nausea, sore breasts, and an up-and-down relationship with food may still be plaguing you. "Craving certain things to eat, even things that may be a little idiosyncratic, and aversion to certain tastes and smells are very much at the peak during this time," explains Eli Reshef, MD, an OB-GYN and medical advisory board member at Win Fertility.

Other common symptoms that may continue (or appear) this week include:

  • Round ligament pain (though it's more commonly experienced in the coming weeks)
  • Mood changes
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Cramping
  • Heightened sense of smell

Vaginal discharge can also increase at this stage. This is because when estrogen levels are heightened, as they are during pregnancy, vaginal discharge is common. Keep in mind that healthy discharge is usually clear or white in color and mild smelling. Call your health care provider if you notice a harsh smell, an odd color (such as yellow, green, or gray), or you feel painful or very itchy. You might have an infection. 

Heartburn might be bothersome at this stage. Scientists think it's usually caused by a combination of factors, including hormonal changes affecting how quickly you digest food and increased pressure from your growing uterus. The good news is that heartburn is not dangerous. The bad? This symptom may persist throughout your entire pregnancy.

There are a few things you can do to prevent heartburn—and also some tips to follow to ease the feeling when it strikes. Research shows that heartburn symptoms can improve when you make minor lifestyle tweaks, like avoiding spicy and fatty foods, eating smaller but more frequent meals, and not going to bed within three hours of eating.

If the feeling persists, talk to your health care provider about possible treatment options including an antacid. While some heartburn medications are safe during pregnancy, others are not.

Developmental Milestones

Until now, your fetus’ hands and feet were frog-like. This week, though, actual fingers and toes are separating in preparation for the development of nails, which will take place in the coming weeks.

Sexual organs have also begun developing. Blood tests can now confirm your unborn baby’s sex, if you choose to learn it. Ultrasounds are almost as accurate at this point. Research shows that between 11 and 12 weeks, ultrasound imaging accurately predicts babies' sex in about 90% of cases.

Pregnancy Journey Weekly Reminder

Design by Alice Morgan

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

Week 11 of pregnancy is usually a "down" week when it comes to doctor's appointments. You may still be waiting for results from non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs), blood tests that can detect some fetal abnormalities starting around week 9 of pregnancy. Likely, you will be seeing professionals during week 12, a pretty big visit in terms of tests and exams conducted. Enjoy the time off!

Common Questions at This Pregnancy Stage

When should I start wearing maternity clothes?

As your body shifts, you may be wondering if it's time to invest in maternity clothes—and you may want to. That’s OK. However, you may also be able to repurpose other garments, wearing loose-fitting pieces or buying one or two staple items at a slightly larger size.


"I suggest first looking in your closet for things that you can 'turn' into maternity garments," says Yamel Belen, RN, a professional doula and certified lactation counselor in Tampa, Florida. Why? Because as Belen notes, maternity clothes can be expensive. Plus, your body will also undergo many more changes in the coming months and what fits you now may not in the third trimester. 


Is it normal to have a decreased (or increased) sex drive?

Changes to your sex drive during pregnancy are completely normal—thanks, in part, to fluctuating hormones. Some pregnant people can't imagine getting intimate while others experience a heightened libido. There's no "normal"—or hard-and-fast rules to follow—barring physician advice specific to your pregnancy.

Is travel still “safe?”

While you should run the timing and location of major travel plans by your medical provider, you should feel fairly comfortable taking a vacation during your first (and even second) trimester.


"It's perfectly fine to go on a trip but the details of it depend on your comfort," says Belen. "Are you OK sitting in a car for a long time, for example, or even on a plane? Are you going somewhere where you need an immunization? Is there fresh water in the country you are visiting? Always include a doctor in these conversations.”


That said, it’s important to note that travel to certain locales should be avoided. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, recommends avoiding travel to countries with Zika and malaria. When in doubt, ask a doctor.

Things You Might Consider This Week

Pregnancy glow is a real thing. During the nine months of gestation, the blood in your body actually increases by 50%, which may give a nice color to your cheeks. With increased oil production, your skin may seem less dry and your hair glossier, too.

That said, many pregnant people have to contend with skin-related concerns at this stage. Increased oil production that may benefit some pregnant people with dry skin can lead to acne in others. Many people experience pregnancy-related rashes and itchy skin. To keep your skin as healthy and comfortable as possible, make sure to wear sunscreen, moisturize often, and drink plenty of water.

Support You May Need This Week

While you may not need much professional medical support this week, now is a great time to start thinking about any support you may need as your pregnancy progresses. Consider researching things like your employer's sick leave and maternity leave policies, prenatal yoga and other fitness classes, and pregnancy support groups. The earlier you start caring for your mental health, the better equipped you will be to handle any unexpected developments, big or small, during your pregnancy journey.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Heartburn in pregnancy. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2015.

  2. Review of recent evidence on the management of heartburn in pregnant and breastfeeding women. BMC Gastroenterology. 2022.

  3. The ultrasound identification of fetal gender at the gestational age of 11-12 weeks. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2018.

  4. Pregnant Travelers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022.

  5. Longitudinal study of cerebral blood flow regulation during exercise in pregnancy. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism. 2020.

  6. Managing Acne Vulgaris During Pregnancy and Lactation. Dermatology Times. 2023.

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