Beth Denny

Welcome to my 23 week pregnancy update. I definitely think my bump is bigger this time round but unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures or measurements last time to compare.

Enjoying the warm weather in this pretty vest top but it does feel a bit muggy.

Look how much my belly button has popped out!

I am: at the end of week 23
I weighed: 132lbs/60kg
I’ve gained: No change from last week so I am still my pre-pregnancy weight. I regained the 13lb/6kg I lost from Hyperemesis gravidarum, (really bad morning sickness). I seem to put on about 2lbs every fortnight.
I’m wearing: A maternity jean skirt from Mamas and Papas. My friend gave me a massive bag of maternity clothes and this was one of my favourite items. It has an elasticated band at the front and adjustable bands on the side. The vest is a non-maternity top from River Island from a couple of years ago.
How I’m feeling: As you may have seen in my 22 week pregnancy update, I looked quite tired at 23 1/2 weeks. I keep having vivid dreams and waking up unsettled as a result, especially one night where I dreamt that I lost my wedding ring. I am feeling a bit panicked that I don’t have everything I need for the new baby but there are only a few things left to buy and none of them are essential either.
Highlight: Annabelle’s swimming is also a highlight this week too. She swam another length on her own but with a swimming float this time. She seems to be gaining more and more confidence in the water and it is such a shame that we only have one more lesson until September. I will be heavily pregnant by then and she will start pre-school too so I’m not sure if we will be able to take any lessons.
The baby is: The size of a large mango and boy can I feel it! It wriggles around like anything and if I’m talking to Annabelle or Andy it really wants to be involved in the conversation. There are definite movements in reaction to sounds and pokes. It often sits in very uncomfortable positions as well! Often pressing on my bladder and making the base of my belly feel really stretched. I don’t remember Annabelle being this uncomfortable.
Food cravings: I’ve gone off ready made Spaghetti Bolognese as it tastes so salty. I have been enjoying anything cold and refreshing and even dreaming of watermelon. I may have to ask my mum to buy me another piece as I see her today. I love eating it with Halloumi cheese. My sweet tooth has also gone into overdrive and I have chocolate and/or ice-cream everyday! Kelly’s Cornish Clotted Cream Ice-cream is the favourite in original or honeycomb flavour.
Symptoms: Again other than tiredness, it’s been another pretty good week! I’ve had a couple of cold symptoms: sore throat, sneezing etc but they seem to be in the morning and disappear before lunchtime.
My body: As mentioned in my recent Lush Cosmetics post, I seem to have dry skin at the moment. This may be why I’m craving refreshing food and drinks. I’ve been trying to up my water intake and I’ve been smothering my belly (the worse area) in a coconut moisturiser from the Body Shop. It smells amazing!
Any mood swings? A little bit irritable and restless from tiredness but generally happy.
I’m looking forward to: It should be a relatively quiet week so I guess I’m looking forward to the little things like playing in the sunshine with Annabelle and eating some watermelon.

Feel free to add a link to your pregnancy updates in the comment box below and click here to read more of my pregnancy posts. Bx