Pregnancy Diary: 23 & 24 weeks pregnant

Here’s my pregnancy diary for weeks 23 and 24 – a fortnight filled with exciting milestones and a few unexpected challenges. From finally capturing baby kicks on camera to dealing with iron supplement side effects, it was quite the journey.

All my pregnancy diary blog posts:

Pregnancy Diary Week 4

Pregnancy Diary Week 5

Pregnancy Diary – 6 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 7 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 8 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 9 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 10 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary – 11 & 12 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 13 & 14 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 15 & 16 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 17 & 18 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 19 & 20 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 21 & 22 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 23 & 24 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 25 & 26 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 27 & 28 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 29 & 30 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 31 & 32 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 33 & 34 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 35 & 36 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Diary: 37 & 38 weeks pregnant

Birth Story

Sorry for the bump pictures everywhere. I’m pretty obsessed with taking photos of it at the moment!

So weeks 23 and 24. The fun things were:

• I was able to get a kick on camera that shows my stomach moving a teeny bit!
• We picked a pushchair.
• I went to a BBQ at my brother’s house and saw both my brothers for the first time since Christmas, and could show off my bump! The last picture is the dress I was – 15 weeks vs 24 weeks!

Not so fun things:

• I took an iron pill as my iron is low, and it made me ill for two and a half days. I ended up in bed, unable to do anything, as it brought my bad morning sickness back! Yuck!

Getting a kick on camera was one of those pregnancy moments I’d been waiting for. You can see the tiniest movement in the video – just a small ripple across my belly –, but it felt massive to us. It’s proof that there’s a real little person in there, not just something abstract on a scan screen.

We also spent hours researching pushchairs this week. The choice is completely overwhelming when you’re a first-time parent. Do you go for a travel system? A lightweight stroller? Something that converts as they grow? We eventually narrowed it down to a few options based on our lifestyle – we needed something practical for York’s cobbled streets, and that would fit in our car boot.

Week 24: Family BBQ & Bump Reveal

This week was special because I finally got to see both my brothers in person and show off my growing bump. Due to COVID restrictions in 2020, I hadn’t seen them since Christmas, before I was even pregnant. The BBQ was the perfect low-key way to catch up, and comparing my 15-week photo to my 24-week bump was quite the revelation. The difference in just nine weeks was huge!

The Iron Supplement Struggle

My midwife recommended iron supplements because my blood tests showed low iron levels – fairly common in pregnancy. I wasn’t prepared for how badly my body would react. Within hours of taking the first tablet, I felt incredibly nauseous. The morning sickness I’d finally started to shake off came flooding back with a vengeance.

I spent two and a half days mostly in bed, unable to keep much down or do anything productive. It was frustrating because I was trying to help my body, but the supplement made me feel worse than the deficiency itself. If you’re dealing with low iron in pregnancy, speak to your midwife about different formulations – some are gentler on the stomach, or you might be able to increase iron through diet instead.

Final Thoughts

Weeks 23 and 24 reminded me that pregnancy is full of trade-offs. Yes, I was exhausted from the iron tablets, but I also got to see my baby move on camera and share my bump with family I’d missed for months. The highs and lows come thick and fast at this stage!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see baby kicks at 23-24 weeks?
Yes! Around 23-24 weeks, you may start seeing visible movement on the outside of your belly, especially if you’re quite slim or the baby kicks strongly. Early on, these movements look like small ripples or waves across your stomach.

What should I look for when choosing a pushchair?
Consider your lifestyle first: do you drive (boot size matters), walk on pavements or rough terrain, use public transport, or have storage space at home? Also think about whether you want a travel system that includes a car seat, or if you prefer separate items. We prioritised manoeuvrability for cobbled streets and compact folding.

Why do iron supplements cause nausea in pregnancy?
Iron tablets can irritate the stomach lining, causing nausea, constipation, or general digestive upset. In pregnancy, when your digestive system is already sensitive, these side effects can be particularly intense. Options include taking iron with food, trying a different formulation (liquid or slow-release), or increasing dietary iron through red meat, leafy greens, and fortified cereals.