If you have reached week 11 of pregnancy, your baby has already developed into a real little human being. After many important organs have formed in the recent weeks, a phase of intensive growth now begins. In the coming weeks, your baby will grow rapidly and double in size. This will also become noticeable for you as an expectant mother.
In our pregnancy calendar, we show you how your baby develops in the eleventh week of pregnancy and how big or heavy it currently is. You will also find out what is happening in your body during this week of your pregnancy and which symptoms are typical towards the end of the first trimester. Are you wondering if your baby's gender can already be identified? We also answer this question in our pregnancy calendar.
Development of your baby in week 11 of pregnancy
In the 11th week of pregnancy, the focus is primarily on the growth of your baby, which is now referred to as a fetus. It will soon go through a growth spurt and rapidly increase its size and weight. Although you have been pregnant for several weeks now, there are new and exciting developmental steps for your baby in every week of pregnancy, which you are surely following with anticipation.
We summarize for you how your baby develops in week 11 of pregnancy:
The brain is developing rapidly
New nerve pathways are constantly developing in your baby's brain. The brain will continue to grow continuously throughout the pregnancy.
The ears move upwards
Your baby's ears are already in place. In week 11 of pregnancy, they move further up and thus to their final position.
Your baby's skin gets thicker
New cells are permanently forming, creating your baby's different skin layers. The skin becomes thicker and the first hair roots form in the dermis. Small hairs will soon develop from these, which, together with the vernix, protect the skin from drying out due to the amniotic fluid.
The organs are refining
After the first organs have already developed in recent weeks, they are now continuing to grow. The eye lenses and the retina as well as your baby's taste buds are also forming.
Your baby is currently developing rapidly. Above all, the growth will become noticeable in your beginning baby bump in the coming weeks.
In week 11 of pregnancy, the risk of a miscarriage is already significantly lower than at the very beginning of your pregnancy. Many life-threatening malformations already occur before the eleventh week of pregnancy and would have been visible on your first ultrasound. With the completion of the 12th week of pregnancy, gynecologists speak of the end of the critical phase of your pregnancy.
Size & weight of your baby in the 11th week of pregnancy
In week 11 of pregnancy, your baby is about 4 to 6 cm tall. Although it is still very small, it is already clearly visible on the ultrasound, as you probably saw at your first check-up appointment. Your baby is thus about as big as a lime or a Brussels sprout. Its length is given as crown-rump length (CRL for short) and noted in your maternity records.
Your baby's weight is currently around 8 to 9 grams. In the coming weeks of pregnancy, your baby will grow rapidly and also gain weight. Feel free to follow the development in our pregnancy calendar and inform yourself every week about how your baby is developing.
Is my baby's gender already visible on the ultrasound in the eleventh week of pregnancy?
Many expectant parents wonder in the first trimester whether their baby will be a boy or a girl. Your baby's gender is determined long before the eleventh week of pregnancy: it is already fixed during fertilization.
In the 11th week of pregnancy, your baby's sex organs are slowly forming. Both the ovaries and the testes already begin to grow in this early phase of pregnancy.
Although the fetus is already clearly visible on the ultrasound, your gynecologist cannot yet identify the gender. As a rule, it is only from the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy that it can be determined with certainty whether your baby is a boy or a girl. So you still have to be patient for a few weeks.
How your body changes in pregnancy week 11
In the eleventh week of your pregnancy, you should already be feeling better. For many expectant mothers, the nausea subsides and they are fitter again. You are probably just starting to really enjoy your pregnancy and want to tell your family and friends the happy news soon.
Your baby is now growing rapidly in your belly. You will also notice this on the scales: expectant mothers usually gain between one and three kilos in the first trimester. Since every pregnancy is individual, the values may differ for you. This is no reason for concern and should not worry you or put you under pressure.
Your uterus, which was previously very hard, slowly becomes softer in the 11th week of pregnancy. It continues to expand so that your baby has enough space to grow. The round ligaments that hold your uterus also grow with it. For many women, this can trigger a slight pulling sensation in the lower abdomen in early pregnancy.
These symptoms you could have in this phase of your pregnancy
There are many different symptoms that can occur in week 11 of pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different and not all women have the same complaints. Don't worry if you don't have all the typical symptoms of pregnancy – they are different for every expectant mother.
We summarize for you some complaints that can occur in the eleventh week of pregnancy:
Back pain
The tendons in your body have loosened in recent weeks and become more flexible. As a result, you get back pain more quickly, especially with one-sided postures. Light exercises can help to relieve this pain.
Constipation
Pregnancy hormones lead to slowed bowel movement in your body. This can lead to constipation. Taking iron can further increase the symptoms. Make sure to drink enough and move in the fresh air after meals.
Aching breasts
Even in the 11th week of pregnancy, many pregnant women continue to suffer from aching and sensitive breasts. This will subside towards the middle of the pregnancy, as your mammary glands will then be fully developed. Your breast is then ready for breastfeeding your baby.
Cravings
Many women experience strong cravings in week 11 of pregnancy. Doctors and midwives usually advise following these cravings. Your body is showing you which nutrients and vitamins it needs right now. However, also make sure to eat a varied diet.
Heartburn
A large proportion of all women suffer from heartburn during pregnancy. The symptoms are triggered by pregnancy hormones and may worsen in the coming months due to your baby's growth. It is best to eat smaller meals and avoid spicy food and carbonated drinks.
Your pregnancy can therefore make itself felt through a wide variety of symptoms. For many women, exercise and light sport during pregnancy help. A healthy diet and sufficient breaks can also help you feel better in the eleventh week of pregnancy.
