Second Trimester: 21-22 Weeks Pregnant– A Quiet Few Weeks and a Very Special Walk

 The past couple of weeks have been beautifully quiet. No appointments, no hospital trips — just a stretch of calm, normality, and time to simply be pregnant. And honestly, it’s been really nice. When you’ve experienced pregnancy layered with worry, scans, and constant check-ins, a quiet few weeks can feel like a small gift.

At the end of 20 weeks, on Friday 18th July, I took on a walk that means a great deal to me — the Round Evesham Walk. It’s about 10km and loops around the town, through fields and quiet paths. I did this walk most days while I was pregnant with Louis — sometimes twice in a day. I even walked it while in labour. It had been a long time since I’d last done it, but I wanted to walk it again this year, around the time of Louis’s 5th birthday — now carrying his little brother.

There was something deeply emotional about doing it again, pregnant once more. As though the two of them were being introduced — brothers, five years apart, treading the same path. It kicked my bum, I’ll be honest. My dodgy knee flared up before I’d even hit halfway, and by the end I was completely wiped out. But it reminded me just how much strength I found while carrying Louis. I felt proud. I must have done that walk hundreds of times with him. It’s definitely encouraged me to get back into a walking routine again.

That weekend, as I turned 22 weeks, Graham and I escaped to our favourite place — Sennen Cove in Cornwall. We camped just outside the cove and slept on an air bed in our new tent. I wasn’t sure how well I’d cope with camping at five months pregnant, but surprisingly, I loved it. There’s something about the sea air, the simplicity of it all.

Around 21 weeks, I had one of those “quiet movement” days that catches you off guard. I kept checking in, wondering if he was just tucked into a corner. Thankfully, as the week went on, his movements picked up again. By 22 weeks, he’d found his rhythm. While camping in Cornwall, G felt a proper kick for the first time — a solid, undeniable thump from our boy.

Then on Tuesday 29th July, at 22+3, his big sister — my step daughter — got to feel him too. He’d been wild that day — the strongest kicks I’ve felt so far, and they were everywhere! Above my belly button, across my left side, and way down low too, putting real pressure on my lower abdomen. The day before, I’d had a strange pulling sensation on my left side — it reminded me of ovulation pain. I think it was just the way he was lying. Possibly transverse for a moment, though who knows with these little acrobats.

In between all the walking and kicking, I’ve been busy nesting — the thrifty way. I’ve found some absolute bargains on Vinted and Facebook Marketplace. So many of baby boy’s clothes are already sorted, and I’ve ticked off a big chunk of my essentials list — all for a fraction of the cost of buying brand new. I still need to get a baby wrap and carrier, the pushchair, and maybe a few 3.5 tog swaddle bags for winter, but honestly, I feel so prepared already. It’s such a different feeling this time around — not rushing, just steadily gathering and getting ready.

There’s still a long way to go, but these moments — sharing his kicks with the people who love him most, walking in Louis’s footsteps, falling asleep in a tent by the sea — they make everything feel a little more grounded, a little more real.

Here’s to the next few weeks — and a few more kicks to keep reminding me that he’s growing stronger every day.