Anna's pregnancy diary: Week 32

This week Anna has to go back to the hospital for more tests - and she tells us more about her scare a few weeks ago in a video blog

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Mum Knows Best

If you're set on having a natural birth, read up on visualisation and breathing techniques so you feel strong when the time comes. It really helped me when I was having Honey.
SJ Drew, Paignton
I started getting really bad headaches when I was about 12 weeks pregnant, but forcing myself to drink two litres of water every day really helped.
Jennifer Shepherd, London
Drink ginger tea to beat morning sickness - it really works!
Jenny, pregnant with baby no.1
If you're uncomfortable in bed, or suffer backache, tuck one end of a v-shaped pillow between your knees to get your hips level, put the 'v' under your bump and cuddle the top. It was my midwife's idea - it also cured my insomnia.
Isabelle Jacobs, 34, from Edinburgh, mum to Paul, 3 months
Ditch as much of your housework as possible and don't stress because the house is a mess or there's ironing to do. Your baby will sense you're calm and, with luck, he'll be calm, too. I know it worked for me - Daniel is a chilled-out, happy baby!
To help beat morning sickness, as soon as you wake up - eat a piece of dry toast.
If you have trouble sleeping in pregnancy, read a baby names' book. The monotony of the list means that by the time you reach 'D', you'll be gone!
Emily Gale, 31, from London, mum to Madeleine, 2, and 35 weeks pregnant
Before you go out and buy lots of expensive maternity clothes, have a good rummage through your wardrobe. You'll probably be surprised at how much stuff can be adapted or worn a little differently to still fit you!
Natalie, mum to Bobby
I was convinced the TENS machine I used wasn't working because labour still felt very painful. However, it was only when I took it off that I realised it had been effective, as I could feel the difference. It got me through the first few hours until I got in the pool, where my baby was born. Michelle, mum to Sam, 6 weeks

Send us your tips

goodtoknow's Food and Diets Editor Anna is pregnant, so we've asked her to keep a diary of her pregnancy, telling you all the good bits and bad bits and asking for your help and comments. This week she's checked over by the midwife again, but will her results be any better?

This week brings another visit to the hospital midwives to have a rerun of my blood pressure and other tests. Again, I'm fairly convinced that I'll be fine as I really feel OK. There's been something strange going on with my hands, though. I wake up with sore joints and it takes a little while for them to get going and not feel stiff and sore any more. It's very odd, so I look it up and find out that it could be carpal tunnel which is common in the third trimester as the fluid pressed down on nerves in the wrist. It also says that it's most painful in the morning as your hands have been in the same position all night - yep, that's exactly what mine feels like. I'm glad it's a common pregnancy symptom and not a sign of pre-eclampsia, which is what the hospital has been worried about.

The midwife is pleased that my blood pressure seems to have gone down a bit and I'm grateful that work are allowing me to work from home a few days a week so I can try and reduce my stress levels as it's obviously working. Then she does my urine test which was a problem last time. She says there are still traces of protein, but now there's also signs of an infection too, which may be causing the protein. As this is the second test with protein present, she decides to send it off to the lab for proper analysis. I'm disappointed, but know that they're keeping tabs on it and that they'll call me if they find anything that needs treatment. I actually think I've been very lucky during my pregnancy as many women are plagued by water infections, cystitis and thrush and I've managed so far to escape any of those.

Then comes the fun bit - listening to the baby's heartbeat. Every time I go I look forward to this and practically leap onto the table, baring my belly before I'm even asked. Lenny's heart beats loudly away and I can't help but grin. She measures my bump too and I'm right on the mark for where I should be. I'm booked in for another appointment in two week's time when we'll be discussing my birth plan and options. It all seems like a countdown now! Birth plan to write, hospital bag to pack, start maternity leave in three weeks, start NCT classes in three weeks too. And most importantly, only eight more weeks until I meet my baby!

Anna wears maternity dress from Mamas & Papas and non-maternity cream top from Dorothy Perkins.

- Coming up: Strangers' funny reactions to Anna's bump
- Previously: Anna's hormones get the better of her and she gets to grips with leaving work.
- Read Anna's pregnancy diary from the beginning
- More about week 32 of pregnancy