Anna's pregnancy diary: Week 34

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goodtoknow's Anna is pregnant and she's been keeping a diary since she found out - telling you about her ups and downs. It's her first baby, so she wants your advice and comments too! This week Anna tries to get to grips with packing her hospital bag.

A friend of mine had her baby six weeks early, so in her honour I have always vowed to be absolutely ready and prepared by the beginning of week 34. And here I am, in utter chaos. Anna's pregnancy diary In my defence, I've had a pounding headache for five days which has stopped me doing a lot of things, but I really should be getting on with it. My hospital bag seems to be the main stumbling block. I think I've got pretty much all I need, but I can't seem to get it in my bag, ready. I think it's psychological. The midwives at my hospital are lovely and although I'm not exactly looking forward to the birth, I know it's something I've got to do to get to meet my baby. So rationally I know this, but subconsciously I'm still in denial and that's why I can't pack my bag.

I've done lots of reading on what you need to take in to hospital with you.

For me:
Slippers
Disposable knickers
Arnica tablets
Old nightshirt
Going home outfit
Toiletries (toothbrush/toothpaste etc)
Hairbrush
Ipod
Birth plan
Socks
Massage oil
Hairband
Snacks/drinks
Tens machine
Pillows
Camera
Nursing bras
Breast pads
Sanitary towels/maternity towels
Nightshirt (front-opening)
Towel

For baby:
Car seat
Babygros
Vests
Cardigan
Nappies
Socks
Hat
Mitts
Cotton wool
Blanket
Muslins

As I mentioned, I've had quite a bad headache for a few days and along with the protein the midwives have found in my waterworks recently, I thought I'd give them a ring for some reassurance that it wasn't another symptom of pre-eclampsia and they decided to bring me into hospital to check my blood pressure etc just to make sure. When I arrived they were lovely again - they never make you feel like you're wasting their time. My blood pressure turned out to be fine and they didn't find any protein, so they strapped me up to a foetal heart monitor for 20 minutes, which was very exciting and reassuring. Lenny managed roughly 140bpm the whole time, although the heartbeat did disappear a couple of times when the baby wriggled. While I was there a lady who was 36 weeks came in saying she felt breathless. They did a blood oxygen test on her and sent her away feeling better and reassured. My midwife said she always wanted to see me, it didn't matter how many times, she'd rather I came in than worried at home and I was very impressed by her kindness and efficiency. Now I've just got to pack that bag!!

Anna wears maternity dress from Mamas & Papas and maternity leggings from H&M.

- Coming up: Anna's last day at work and realising that her baby is coming soon!
- Previously: Strangers' funny reactions to Anna's bump.
- Read Anna's pregnancy diary from the beginning
- More about week 34 of pregnancy