Your Baby at 11 Weeks

A Closer Look at Week 11

At 11 weeks, your baby's appearance is becoming distinctly human. While the head still accounts for roughly half the total body length — a proportion that will gradually correct over the coming months — the facial features are sharpening beautifully. A small nose, defined upper lip, and budding tooth sockets are all developing beneath the gums. The ears are migrating from the neck to their final position on the sides of the head.

Your baby is now about the size of a lime and is incredibly active inside the amniotic sac, though you won't feel these movements until later in the second trimester. They can open and close their fists, stretch their arms above their head, and even yawn. Diaphragm formation is underway, which means your baby may start to hiccup — a normal part of respiratory Development preparation.

Many expectant mothers notice that nausea begins to ease around this time, though this varies significantly between individuals. You might also notice increased vaginal discharge, which is your body's way of protecting the birth canal from infection. As long as the discharge is clear or white and odourless, it is perfectly normal. If it becomes coloured, smelly, or accompanied by itching, consult your healthcare provider.

If you haven't already booked your 12-week scan (also known as the Nuchal Translucency scan or NT scan), now is the time. This important ultrasound, typically performed between weeks 11 and 14, measures the fluid at the back of your baby's neck to screen for chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome. It is also the appointment where many parents get their first clear look at their baby and can sometimes hear the heartbeat clearly for the first time.