Moving before you can feel it 💛

You're almost at the end of the first trimester. Your little one is stretching, wriggling and growing, even though it's all too small for you to feel just yet.

📌 Week 11 at a glance

• Trimester: First
• Baby's size: about the size of a fig (around 41 mm)
• Still to come: roughly 29 weeks (a typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks)

🌱 Your little one this week

At 11 weeks, your baby is about 41 mm long, roughly the size of a fig. The body is starting to straighten and lengthen, and your baby is kicking and stretching around inside your womb. You probably won't feel anything for several more weeks, but it's happening.

The face keeps developing: the ears are nearly in place, and a tongue has formed. Fingers and toes are now fully separate and no longer webbed. The kidneys are starting to make urine, and the placenta is doing its important work, nourishing your baby and carrying away waste.

🌷 And how about you, Mum?

You may still feel bloated or queasy, and tiredness can be strong. If you feel very sleepy, it's your body's gentle way of asking for rest. Many mums find that nausea starts to settle around now, while some notice other changes picking up. Every pregnancy has its own rhythm.

You may also notice your waistband feeling snug. With a first pregnancy, a visible bump often appears a little later, so there's no need to worry if yours isn't showing yet.

🍽️ Food for thought: iodine

Iodine is a mineral that the body needs to make thyroid hormones. In pregnancy, it contributes to your baby's normal brain development, which is why it's often mentioned alongside other early-pregnancy nutrients.

Everyday foods that contain iodine include:

• Fish and other seafood
• Milk, yoghurt and other dairy foods
• Eggs
• Iodised salt, where available

You don't need to count or measure anything. If you'd like personal advice about iodine or supplements, your doctor, midwife or dietitian is the right person to ask.

✨ Little things that may feel nice

• Many mums find that a short rest during the day helps when tiredness is strong
• A few quiet minutes with your hand on your tummy can feel like a nice way to connect
• Comfortable, stretchy clothes can feel kind to a changing body
• A short stroll in fresh air can feel refreshing, if you're up to it

🩺 Coming up

Around now, many clinics offer a dating scan, along with routine blood tests. These tests are a chance to have your health and your baby's health checked, and you can ask your doctor or midwife what each one involves. There's no rush to understand everything at once. They'll walk you through it.

👨👩👧 Partner's corner

With the first trimester almost done, this can be a nice time to celebrate how far you've come together. A quiet dinner, a walk, or simply talking about how you're both feeling can make a big difference.

❓ Quick questions

Why am I so sleepy at 11 weeks?
Your body is working hard to support your growing baby, and tiredness is very common in the first trimester. Many mums find their energy returns in the second trimester.

Can I feel my baby moving yet?
Not yet for most mums. Your baby is moving a lot, but is still too small to feel. First-time mums often notice movements later in the second trimester.

💛 A little moment for the two of you

Your baby is kicking, stretching and growing, and the only one who doesn't know it yet is you. Soon enough, you'll feel those first little flutters.

For now, it's enough to know it's happening.

Keep wriggling, little one. 🦕

Sources & further reading

NHS — 11 weeks pregnant
NHS Week 11 pregnancy guide

Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) — Antenatal care
KKM maternal health and antenatal care

FirstDino shares general pregnancy information for education and comfort. It is not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Please speak with your doctor or midwife about your own health and care.