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You and your baby at 11 weeks pregnant

Your baby at 11 weeks

The baby grows quickly and the placenta is rapidly developing – it'll be fully formed at about 12 weeks.

The bones of the face are formed now. The eyelids are closed and will not open for a few months yet.

The ear buds developing on the sides of your baby's head look more like ears as they grow.

Your baby's head makes up one-third of its length, but the body is growing fast – it's straightening, and the fingers and toes are separating. There are fingernails.

You at 11 weeks

Headaches in early pregnancy can be caused by changes in your body.

Find out what you can do about headaches in pregnancy yourself and when you should contact your doctor or midwife.

Limiting the amount of caffeine you have in pregnancy can reduce the chances of miscarriage and your baby weighing less than normal when they're born (low birthweight).

The charity Tommy's has more advice on caffeine intake during pregnancy.

Things to think about

If you're pregnant and working, find out about your legal rights, including paid time off for antenatal (pregnancy) care, maternity leave, protection of your health and safety at work, and more.

The screening test for Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome involves a blood test and an ultrasound scan, offered between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. If you choose to have this screening test, it can be done at the same time as the dating scan.

Start4Life has more about you and your baby at 11 weeks of pregnancy

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Page last reviewed: 12 October 2021
Next review due: 12 October 2024