11 Weeks Pregnant: What to Do This Week
At eleven weeks pregnant, you are on the home stretch of the first trimester. The 12-week scan — one of the most significant milestones of early pregnancy — is days away for most people. This week is about preparing practically and emotionally for that appointment, while continuing to look after yourself as your body goes through rapid change.
Prepare for Your 12-Week Scan
Your dating scan and combined screening (nuchal translucency scan) is typically offered between 11 and 14 weeks. If you have not already received your appointment letter, contact your midwifery team to confirm it is booked. Many NHS trusts send appointment letters by post, and these can occasionally go astray.
Before your scan, it is worth knowing what to expect:
- The appointment usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes in total, including paperwork and waiting time.
- The sonographer will measure the baby from crown to rump to confirm gestational age and establish your estimated due date (EDD). If your EDD changes at this scan, any subsequent dates in your antenatal care will adjust accordingly.
- The nuchal translucency (NT) measurement assesses the fluid at the back of the baby's neck. Combined with a blood test taken at the same visit, this produces a screening result for Down's syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards' syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau's syndrome (trisomy 13). You will be asked beforehand whether you want to take part in this screening — think about this in advance so you are not making a decision under pressure on the day.
- Results from the combined screening are usually sent by post or communicated by your midwife within a week or two.
Think about who you want to bring with you. Most NHS trusts allow one birth partner. Confirm the policy for your hospital in advance, as it can vary.
Decisions to Think About Now
Combined screening: Before the scan appointment, consider whether you want to have the nuchal translucency screening. This is entirely your choice. The result does not give a yes or no answer — it provides a risk figure which you can then act on if you wish. If you would not want further testing regardless of the result, some people choose to decline the screening. Discuss with your partner if applicable, and speak to your midwife if you are unsure.
Who to bring and whether to announce: Many people wait until after the 12-week scan to tell family and friends more widely. If that is your plan, think about how you will share the news. If you already know you want to keep it private a little longer, that is equally valid.
Continue Your Supplement Routine
Keep taking 400mcg of folic acid daily until at least 12 weeks — you are nearly at the finish line for this particular recommendation. The NHS advises continuing vitamin D (10mcg daily) throughout the whole of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
If you started pregnancy on a prescription of 5mg folic acid due to a higher-risk profile, check with your GP or midwife when you should stop taking the higher dose.
First Trimester Symptoms at 11 Weeks
For many women, nausea and fatigue begin to ease slightly towards the end of the first trimester, though this varies widely. Some women feel no improvement until 14 or 16 weeks; others still experience nausea well into the second trimester. If your symptoms suddenly disappear entirely and you are worried, it is fine to mention this at your scan appointment — try not to read too much into symptom fluctuations, as they are normal and do not reliably predict how the pregnancy is progressing.
Constipation, bloating, heightened emotions, breast tenderness, and light-headedness are all common at eleven weeks. Keep hydrated, eat regularly, and rest when you need to.
Thinking About Nub Theory
If you are interested in getting an early gender prediction via nub theory, eleven weeks is just on the cusp of when a reading becomes possible. At 11+3 weeks or later, an experienced reader may attempt a nub theory read from a clear profile scan image, though accuracy improves with gestational age — 12 weeks and beyond generally gives more reliable results.
Your NHS scan image from the 12-week scan can be used for nub theory after your appointment. Some women also book a private scan specifically for a HD nub theory image, which a private clinic will have more time to capture clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I prioritise at 11 weeks pregnant?
Your main focus should be confirming your 12-week scan appointment is booked and thinking through the decisions you will face there — particularly whether to take part in combined screening. Continue taking folic acid and vitamin D, follow NHS food safety guidance, and rest as needed. If you have not already had your booking appointment with a midwife, contact your GP or midwifery team as soon as possible, as this should ideally happen before 10 weeks.
What happens at the 12-week scan?
The 12-week scan (dating and NT scan) confirms your estimated due date by measuring the baby, checks the heartbeat, looks at the baby's basic anatomy, and — if you consent — measures the nuchal translucency fold at the back of the baby's neck as part of combined screening for chromosomal conditions. It is also the first time most partners get to see the baby on screen. You will usually be offered printed scan photos to take home for a small charge.
When should I tell people I'm pregnant?
Most people choose to wait until after the 12-week scan to make a wider announcement, as the risk of miscarriage drops substantially after this point. However, there is no rule — some people tell close family and friends earlier for emotional support, and others wait longer. Do whatever feels right for you and your circumstances.
Speak to your midwife or GP for personalised advice about your pregnancy.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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