Josa’s pregnancy diary – week 30–32

I feel very large. My waist measurement, normally 26 inches, is now 40 inches and growing by the day. I have also put on about a stone and a half since conception, which isn’t too bad. In the bath, I teach my eight-year-old son about surface tension by dripping water into my tummy button until it forms a mound before spilling over. He says the bump is an island with a pond in the middle. He climbs onto my lap, remarking that, at this rate, I won’t have one to climb onto for much longer.

Maud, 11, is reading Libby Purves’ excellent book How not to be a Perfect Mother to prepare herself for her role after the birth. She keeps giggling over Libby’s amusing remarks about projectile vomiting etc.

The worst thing is my left hip joint, which keeps me awake at night with a dull ache. I have devised a method of draping my left leg over the side of the bed to take the pressure off the joint. This is often enough to allow me to curl up, pillow between the knees, and go back to sleep.

According to the books, the baby now has a fine head of hair and slate grey eyes. He has hiccups from time to time. The magazines urge you to pamper yourself during pregnancy, as you won’t get a chance afterwards. Where am I supposed to find the time? I think to myself as I look at my list of deadlines.

See Anastasia Brien's pregnancy diary for weeks 30-32.