33 weeks and 5 days pregnant

At this stage your baby may lie transversely across your uterus as here, but such a position becomes increasingly less likely as the pregnancy advances. The more babies you have had the more likely it is that the shape of your uterus allows this lie.

You may be learning breathing and relaxation techniques at antenatal classes, but practise them at home, too.

When you are tense and frightened, pain can feel much worse, so teaching yourself to relax and stay calm can help. With around six weeks to go, you still have plenty of time to try out some of the breathing and relaxation techniques that will help you during labour. It’s true that practice makes perfect and it can take some time to train your mind to relax at will, especially if you are in pain.

Spend a short period of time as often as you can, every day if possible, practising your breathing – close your eyes and slow your breathing down, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you breathe in, imagine your breath entering your body and relaxing you and as you exhale you breathe out any pain or tension. You might want to involve your partner by asking him to breathe with you or count your breathing, a slow count to three or five for every inhale and exhale.

Some women like to practise using the techniques while pinching their arm temporarily to simulate a contraction –although of course it won’t mimic the pain exactly! Practising these techniques in a calm, relaxed manner in late pregnancy will help you to use them effectively on the big day.

You’re more likely to get a seat on public transport in Japan due to the “manners squadron”!

If you find that no one gives up their seat for you on public transport, you’re not alone. In Japan, however, the “manners squadron” mission is to patrol trains and make sure that any seats are vacated by the young and offered to those who need them.

Demand for nutrients is higher when you’re exercising and even higher when you’re pregnant. This is not the time to reach for low-nutrient, high-calorie snacks; ensure you make careful choices when it comes to the nutrients you put into your body.

You should be eating a snack before you exercise, consisting of a complex carbohydrate and a protein. You should also eat frequent small meals and snacks if you are feeling hungry. It’s fine to snack throughout the day.

Some healthy snack ideas are as follows:

• Half a bagel spread with two teaspoons of peanut butter

• An apple or banana and a handful of raw almonds

• A pear with two slices of Cheddar cheese

• Carrot, celery, and cucumber sticks and/or breadsticks dipped into two tablespoons of hummus

• Cottage cheese or cream cheese spread on two Ryvitas (or other crackers) or wholemeal toast.

A banana is a fabulous fruit to eat before exercising because it gives you a slow and steady release of energy.