32 weeks and 3 days pregnant

Your baby’s position in the uterus is influenced by your own posture. Gravity has some effect on your baby, so whether you are standing or sitting, and which side you lie down on affects the way your baby’s back is turned and which side he rolls onto.

As your abdomen grows, it’s normal to feel you want to support your bump when you’re walking around.

You’ve probably had to change the way that you exercise by now due to your growing abdomen. You may well have had to replace jogging on the treadmill, for example, with going for long, brisk (or not so brisk!) walks. If you find that even walking makes your tummy and pelvis sore or uncomfortable, you may find you naturally hold up your bump with your hands to try to give it some extra support and to give your pelvis and back a break. Some women say it feels as if the baby “might fall out”.

You might want to invest in a pregnancy support band; made of stretchy fabric, this useful item supports the bump and can help to prevent lower back pain.

Walking at a comfortable pace when you are heavily pregnant will cause your bump to shift around and your instinct may be to support your baby with your hands.

Baby monitors first appeared in the UK in the early 1980s and today there is a huge range of different models on the market, so choosing one can be daunting. Although monitors vary, they have the same basic components – a minimum of two units: one to transmit your baby’s sounds, and one that stays with you so that you can hear if your baby is crying or fussing.

Additional features include: a moving lights-sound display, low power and out-of-range warnings, the option to use mains or batteries, a talk-back function, and a temperature sensor. Some have a night light function. With all these features available, your choice largely depends on your personal preferences and your budget.

Your movements during late pregnancy can affect the position of your baby. Ideally, he’ll lie head down, facing your back, with his chin tucked into his chest. You can encourage this optimum fetal position by:

• Spending time on all fours, wiggling your hips from side to side; or arch your back, then drop your spine down.

• Sitting with your knees lower than your pelvis, and your body tilted slightly forwards.

• Kneeling on the floor, leaning over a beanbag, cushions, or birth ball.

• Sitting on a birth ball, with your legs positioned slightly apart and knees lower than your hips, then rocking your pelvis.

• Assuming the tailor pose:sit on the floor with your back straight and the soles of your feet together. Let your knees fall to the side and rest your elbows on your inner thighs.

• Swimming:breaststroke helps to open the pelvis.