Pregnancy Diary : 21 & 22 weeks pregnant

Here’s my 21 and 22-week pregnant update.

Updated April 2026 – Looking back at weeks 21-22 of my pregnancy in 2020. This was when my partner finally felt kicks and we started preparing the nursery. If you’re going through similar experiences, I hope this helps!

Pregnant woman at 22 weeks showing baby bump in mirror selfie

Pregnancy Diary : 21 & 22 weeks pregnant

Week 21: Whooping Cough Vaccination Side Effects
Week 22: First Kicks for Dad & Nursery Progress
Body Changes: Stretch Marks & Acceptance
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions
All my pregnancy diary blog posts:

Week 21: Whooping Cough Vaccination Side Effects

Week 21 wasn’t great. I had to have a whooping cough vaccination at 21 weeks. The nurse said I might feel a bit under the weather for a few days. I didn’t think anything of it, as when I’ve had flu jabs and the like in the past, I’ve not felt any different afterwards. But this was awful.

By midmorning the next day, I started to feel sick. It got worse during the day, and I ended up asleep half the afternoon. The next day I was in bed all day, after a sad attempt at helping to paint the guest room. I started to slowly pick up over the next few days, but it was about 6 days in total, feeling ill. It was morning sickness type ill too, I’m guessing it triggered it. Just can’t seem to get fully shut of this sickness.

The whooping cough vaccine is routinely offered between 16-32 weeks of pregnancy in the UK. While it’s essential for protecting your baby, the side effects caught me completely off guard. I’d assumed my body would handle it like previous vaccines, but pregnancy changes everything. If you’re preparing for this jab, make sure you have a few days cleared in your diary afterwards – you might need them to rest and recover properly.

Week 22: First Kicks for Dad & Nursery Progress

Week 22 was the week my fiancé finally felt kicks! I’ve been feeling kicks for a few weeks, but when he puts his hand on my belly, the baby either stops or they’re not strong enough to be felt. So that part was fun!

We have also painted the baby’s room and ordered the cot and the wardrobe that will be arriving in a few weeks! We’ve started buying a few things here and there, but I’m dying to get the room sorted so I can actually have places to put things and put the clothes away.

It’s so strange that the baby is now around 30cm and weighs around a pound. I’m still astonished that my body is growing something, and although he’s small, he seems so big to me. I’ve been reading about his growth every day since he was a 0.5mm blastocyst at 3 weeks – (even before I had the positive test at 4 weeks and 1 day, which I know might sound a bit insane but I just felt the need to!).

Body Changes: Stretch Marks & Acceptance

On a more negative note, I’m getting stretch marks on my inner thighs. I don’t really care, though, because nobody ever sees them apart from my partner. Same with stretch marks on my stomach, if I get them, I feel like I’m not that bothered. I always wear swimming costumes on holiday and never show people my belly! I’m not going to spend loads of money on bio-oil as it seems like a waste of cash when there are cheaper options to help heal stretch marks. You can’t stop them coming, just moisturise and hope they fade!

What’s helped me is staying hydrated and using a simple, affordable moisturiser twice daily. My inner thighs are where they’ve appeared most noticeably, but I’m trying to focus on what my body is achieving rather than what it looks like. Growing a whole human being is incredible, and these marks are just part of that journey.

Final Thoughts

Weeks 21 and 22 brought a real mix of highs and lows. The whooping cough jab knocked me sideways, but seeing my partner’s face when he felt the baby kick made it all worthwhile. If you’re around this stage, remember to be patient with yourself – your body is working incredibly hard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do whooping cough vaccine side effects last in pregnancy?
Side effects typically last 2-3 days, though in my case I felt unwell for nearly 6 days. Common symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and general flu-like feelings. Make sure you schedule rest time after the jab.

When can partners feel baby kicks?
Partners can usually feel kicks from around 20-24 weeks, though it varies. The baby might stop moving when someone else touches your bump, so it can take several attempts before your partner catches one!

Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?
Unfortunately, stretch marks are largely determined by genetics and skin elasticity. Moisturising helps keep skin supple and may reduce itching, but it won’t prevent marks from forming. The best approach is acceptance and staying hydrated.