w 32 - The wheat pillow is my friend

After having a quite nice pregnancy without much pain or other symptoms, my back has started aching and some undefined ache in the bottom of the belly. Almost as before my period. Hopefully it's just something to do with partying this weekend, along with sleeping in a not too comfortable bed. I have used our wheat pillow now since Sunday on my belly and on the back. Nice and warm and soothing. Helps a bit anyways.

Peanut's been rummaging around in my belly like crazy. Perhaps that can explain some of the aching as well. It's like I'm getting tired in the stomach from all the kicking. I know I shouldn't be complaining since I've had a really easy pregnancy so far.

I have also begun worrying about not knowing when the labor starts. My darling thinks it's one of those things you just know. Like an instinct. I know that he's right, but still I worry. Silly me.

Tomorrow it's time for my second ultrasound. I'm really looking forward to see Peanut again! I hope I get a little picture as we did last time, but it didn't say anything about it in the letter I got.

Your pregnancy: 32 weeks

See the big picture

Peanut:By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.) Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

Me: To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often. You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.