Pregnancy Week 11: Almost at the Scan — What to Expect

7 min read

Quick answer: At 11 weeks your baby is about the size of a fig, roughly 41mm from crown to rump, with fingers and toes fully separated and bones beginning to harden. Nausea often eases slightly around weeks 11 to 12, though not for everyone, and fatigue may persist. Most parents are preparing for the 12-week dating scan.

What parents need to know

Week 11. You're nearly at the much-anticipated 12-week milestone. Many parents feel a sense of anticipation and perhaps anxiety as the dating scan approaches. This week, your baby continues to grow and develop, while you may be noticing some welcome changes in your symptoms.

The Crib

Your baby at 11 weeks

Tell employer by at least 15 weeks before your due date, for maternity leave

Approximately 41mm

Crown to rump

About the size of a fig

Next scan: the 12-week dating scan

Nausea: often eases slightly around weeks 11 to 12

Sources: NHS, Tommy's, NCT. General information, not medical advice.

How big is your baby at 11 weeks?

Your baby is now about the size of a fig, approximately 41mm from crown to rump. This is still tiny, but growth is accelerating every day.

What's happening with your baby?

At 11 weeks, your baby is looking increasingly human. The head is still proportionally large compared to the body, making up roughly half the crown-to-rump length, but the face is developing distinctly human features. Eyes are moving towards the front of the face, and eyelids remain closed, protecting the delicate developing eyes. Fingers and toes are now fully separated and fingernails are beginning to grow. Your baby is beginning to hiccup and open and close their mouth, though of course you can't feel this yet.

The bones are beginning to harden (a process called ossification), and your baby's skeleton is developing. The genitalia are forming, though sex is still difficult to determine at this stage on ultrasound.

Person holding baby's hand in close up photography

What's happening in your body?

Many women find that nausea begins to improve slightly around weeks 11 to 12 as hCG levels start to plateau. If you've been struggling with morning sickness, this can feel like a huge relief. However, some women continue to experience nausea well into the second trimester, and a smaller number throughout pregnancy, so don't be alarmed if yours hasn't eased yet.

Fatigue often persists at this stage, but many women notice a gradual improvement in energy in the second trimester. Heartburn and indigestion may be starting for some, as the hormone progesterone relaxes the valve between the stomach and oesophagus. Eating smaller meals and avoiding lying down immediately after eating can help.

You may notice your bump starting to emerge very slightly, particularly if this is not your first pregnancy. First-time mums often don't show until 12 to 16 weeks or later.

Preparing emotionally for your scan

The 12-week dating scan is a significant moment for many parents. For those who have experienced previous pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, or have been keeping their pregnancy very private, it can feel especially weighted. It's normal to feel nervous beforehand. Seeing your baby on screen for the first time (moving, with a beating heart) is often profoundly moving.

The sonographer's job is to take measurements and carry out a thorough assessment, so they may not always be chatty during the scan. If you have questions, save them for the end or ask your midwife. You'll usually be given photos of your scan to take home (though there may be a small charge at some hospitals).

Talking about your pregnancy

Many couples choose to wait until after the 12-week scan to share the news of their pregnancy more widely. The risk of miscarriage drops significantly after 12 weeks, and many people feel more comfortable making announcements once they've seen the scan and received reassurance. Of course, this is entirely personal — some people prefer to share earlier with close family and friends for support, while others prefer privacy.

If you haven't told your employer yet, GOV.UK says you must tell them when your baby is due and when you want your maternity leave to start at least 15 weeks before your due date. For Statutory Maternity Pay, you must give at least 28 days' notice of the day you want your pay to start, plus proof that you're pregnant. Most people tell their employer around 12 to 14 weeks, once the scan has given them additional reassurance.

When to get help

Some symptoms in pregnancy can be a sign of something serious and need checking quickly. This is who to contact, and how soon.

Call 999 if:

you're bleeding from your vagina and the bleeding is heavy (soaking a period pad soon after putting it on), or you also have severe pain in your tummy, pain in your shoulder, or feel sick, faint, dizzy or lose consciousness
you have a sharp, sudden and intense pain in your tummy together with feeling very dizzy or fainting, feeling sick or looking very pale, as this could mean an ectopic pregnancy has ruptured (you can also go straight to A&E)
you have severe difficulty breathing (you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out) or your chest feels tight or heavy
you have pain and swelling in one leg and you also feel short of breath or have chest pain. A blood clot in the leg can travel to your lungs, which can be life-threatening
you have possible signs of sepsis, such as breathing very fast, being confused or having slurred speech, blue, pale or blotchy skin, a rash that does not fade when you press it, or a very high or very low temperature. Being pregnant makes sepsis more likely
you do not feel you can keep yourself safe (a mental health emergency is as serious as a physical one)

Always call 999 if you think it's a life-threatening emergency, no matter what stage of pregnancy you are.

Contact your GP or early pregnancy unit right away if:

you have light bleeding or spotting, even if you have no pain or only mild tummy pain
you have vaginal discharge that's unusual for you, or fluid leaking from your vagina
you have tummy pain low down on one side, or pain in the tip of your shoulder (where your shoulder ends and your arm begins). Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually start between 4 and 12 weeks, so get advice right away, even if you have not had a positive pregnancy test yet
you have stomach pain that is severe or does not go away after you've rested for 30 to 60 minutes, or stomach pain with regular cramping or tightenings, lower back pain, or pain when you pee
your breathlessness comes on suddenly, you're out of breath when you're lying down, or you're breathless and also have chest pain or feel dizzy
you have pain or swelling in one leg, usually in the calf or thigh. This could be a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), which is more likely when you're pregnant
you have a high temperature (38C or above), or you feel hotter than usual or shivery. A high temperature can be a sign of an infection, so it's important to get it checked

If you cannot reach them, or you're not sure what to do, call NHS 111.

Speak to your GP or midwife if:

you're worried about your mental health, or stress, anxiety or low mood are affecting your day-to-day life. If you need urgent help for your mental health, call 111 and select the mental health option, or ask for an urgent GP appointment

Your week 11 checklist

This week:

Make sure your 12-week scan appointment is confirmed.
Prepare any questions you have for the sonographer or midwife.
Try to manage heartburn with smaller meals.
Rest if fatigue is still significant.
Start thinking about who you'd like to tell once you've had your scan.

Sources & further reading

General information, not individual medical advice. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor about your baby’s needs.