Now that you’re 11 weeks pregnant, you’re coming to the end of your first trimester. Many exciting things are ahead as you get closer to your due date.
Below you’ll find lots of advice and guidance about what’s happening for you and your baby at 9 weeks pregnant. We explore some common pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness and mood swings, what to expect from your first ultrasound scan, and how to look after yourself during your pregnancy.
Now that you’re 11 weeks pregnant, you’re coming to the end of your first trimester. Many exciting things are ahead as you get closer to your due date.
Below you’ll find lots of advice and guidance about what’s happening for you and your baby at 9 weeks pregnant. We explore some common pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness and mood swings, what to expect from your first ultrasound scan, and how to look after yourself during your pregnancy.
At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is around the size of a fig, measuring approximately 4.1 cm from their head to their bottom. If you could see them now, you’d notice that your baby’s head is bigger than the rest of their body; however, their body is rapidly catching up3.
The bones in your baby’s face are now formed, there are recognisable ears on the side of your baby’s head, and the eyelids that are formed will remain closed for the next few months4. By now, your baby’s toes and fingers start to separate, and even tiny fingernails are in place4.
By week 11 of your pregnancy, the placenta is almost fully developed. By week 12, it will take over much of the hard work your body has been doing for the past few weeks, including producing those pregnancy hormones responsible for making you feel emotional and tired.
Up to now, your baby has been getting all the nutrients they need from the yolk sac, but from now on, that will be the placenta’s job, along with removing waste4.
Your baby at 11 weeks pregnant is now moving around and kicking as they grow inside your womb, but you won’t be able to feel this just yet4.
You’ll likely start to feel your baby’s movements between week 16 and week 24 of your pregnancy, although it’s not uncommon for this to happen closer to 20 weeks. If you haven’t felt your baby move by week 24, contact your midwife at the Maternity Assessment Unit.
If you’ve been experiencing any early pregnancy symptoms, you may find that some of them start to ease off as you head into your second trimester. This is because your hormones are beginning to settle down, helping you feel much better and have more energy4.
Your blood volume has increased by approximately 50%, and your body is working hard to pump it throughout your body as it supplies your uterus4.
One of the most exciting things about coming to the end of your first trimester is having your first ultrasound scan, during which you’ll see your baby for the very first time. Ultrasound scans don’t hurt, and they don’t cause any harm to your unborn baby.
The NHS offers two ultrasound scans during your pregnancy. The first is known as the dating scan or the 12-week scan, and it takes place between 11 and 14 weeks. At your dating scan, the sonographer will be able to provide a reasonable estimate of your due date based on your baby's measurements5.
If you’ve chosen to have a combined screening test for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, and Patau’s syndrome, your dating scan will include a nuchal translucency scan and a blood test. During the nuchal translucency scan, the sonographer will measure the fluid at the back of your baby’s neck. This nuchal translucency, along with your age and the blood test, will determine the chances of your baby having one of the above conditions5.
If you have any questions about the available screening tests and how they work, don't hesitate to discuss them with your midwife or doctor.
On average, women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22–28lb) during pregnancy, although this varies from person to person. Most of this weight gain happens after week 20 of your pregnancy and is due to your growing baby and your body's natural process of storing fat to support breastfeeding6.
Remember that every woman and every pregnancy is different, so try not to compare yourself to anybody else. Keep in mind that you don’t need to ‘eat for 2’; what matters is that you’re eating a healthy pregnancy diet that provides all the nutrients that you and your baby need. If you feel up to it, doing some gentle exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight as your baby grows and prepare your body for labour and birth7.
There are numerous symptoms you might experience at 11 weeks pregnant, and below, we discuss just a few of them.
Sore and tingling breasts are very common during pregnancy. In addition, your nipples may become darker and stand out more prominently. You may also find that the veins in your breasts are more visible, too, especially as your breasts get bigger8.
Tiredness, fatigue, and even exhaustion are common at 11 weeks pregnant. These symptoms are often caused by the placenta taking over responsibility for hormone production, feeding your baby, and removing waste, as the hormones involved in the switchover can leave you feeling more tired than usual3.
Approximately 8 out of 10 women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy9. Also known as ‘morning sickness’, these symptoms can happen at any time of the day or night, and whilst it won’t harm your growing baby9, it can interfere with your daily life - in some cases, quite significantly. If you are you're experiencing severe nausea and are unable to do your normal routine activities, then see a GP or a 24-hour service for treatment.
Most women find that morning sickness usually starts between weeks 4 and 7 of pregnancy and then starts to ease off between weeks 16 and 2010.
During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone causes the muscles in your uterus to relax and stretch as your baby grows. At the same time, this can cause the muscles in your digestive system to relax, too, leaving you feeling bloated and gassy11.
There are some things you can try to ease your symptoms, including avoiding fatty and spicy foods, eating little and often, and not eating late at night.
Some women experience light spotting or bleeding during early pregnancy. This usually occurs when your period would have been due and is the result of implantation bleeding, as the fertilised embryo settles into the lining of your womb12.
As your pregnancy progresses towards your due date, other possible causes of bleeding include12:
It’s very important to seek advice from your doctor or midwife at the Maternity Assessment Unit if you experience any bleeding at all during your pregnancy. That way, you can be sure that everything is as it should be.
Stomach cramps can also happen at 11 weeks pregnant, as the ligaments in your body stretch to make room for your baby as they grow. They can also be the result of constipation or trapped wind, so try going to the toilet or taking a gentle stroll to get things moving13.
Contact your doctor or midwife if the cramps become severe and don’t go away, or if they’re accompanied by bleeding, lower back pain or unusual vaginal discharge13.
Pregnancy can be an emotional rollercoaster. If you’re feeling fine one minute and not so fine the next, those pregnancy hormones are likely at play. At 11 weeks pregnant, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone in your body are increasing, which can affect your mood14.
During pregnancy, it’s essential to look after yourself not only physically, but also emotionally. Let’s take a look at a few ways to do just that.
Calcium is essential for making your growing baby’s teeth and bones15. Your calcium requirements don’t change during pregnancy, and the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) is 700 micrograms per day for those over the age of 1916.
Sources of calcium include15:
As well as building healthy bones and teeth, calcium has several other vital jobs in the body too, including17:
There’s also some evidence to suggest that getting enough calcium during your pregnancy can reduce the risk of preeclampsia and your baby arriving early18.
Whilst you don’t need to follow a specific diet, there are certain foods to avoid during pregnancy, such as19:
Pregnancy hormones aside, it’s perfectly natural to feel a little anxious and unsettled as you move towards your second trimester. Becoming a parent is one of life’s most significant changes. Give yourself the time you need, and don’t hesitate to lean on your friends and family for support.
If you’re struggling with any aspect of your emotional wellbeing, always speak to your doctor and midwife for advice and support. You can also be referred to the perinatal mental health services for additional support in pregnancy20,21. Other useful charities and helplines to call are:
As you look to the second trimester of pregnancy, things are probably starting to feel a little more real. At this point, there are some things you’ll need to think about to ensure your pregnancy is as stress-free as possible.
If you’re employed, it’s essential to know where you stand when it comes to your rights and protections. Things to think about include:
Read more in our complete guide to maternity leave and download your free copy of our maternity pay guide.
Antenatal classes are a great way to meet new friends and other parents-to-be who are on the same journey. They also provide you with lots of information about what to expect from labour and birth, as well as practical support around breastfeeding and caring for your newborn.
Some antenatal classes are available online, while others are held in person. Speak to your midwife about the options available in your local area (good examples are classes provided by the NHS or the NCT). Just a quick heads up; if you’d like to attend antenatal classes, it’s best to start looking sooner rather than later as they book up quickly.
You’re officially into your third month of pregnancy at 9 weeks, with your second trimester beginning when you reach week 13.
When you choose to announce your pregnancy is entirely up to you. While some parents prefer to wait until after their 12-week scan, others feel comfortable sharing their news as soon as they find out about the pregnancy. There are no set rules here, only what’s right for you.
There are many important milestones throughout your pregnancy, but reaching 12 weeks is often considered one of the biggest. This is probably because it marks the end of your first trimester and the time when you may start to feel that pregnancy ‘glow’.
It’s also the time when you’re likely to have your first ultrasound scan, where you’ll see your little one on screen for the first time and be reassured that they’re growing just as they should.
Last reviewed: March 2026
Reviewed by Nutricia’s Medical and Scientific Affairs Team
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