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.
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 belly and pelvis sore or uncomfortable, you may find you naturally hold up your belly 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 belly and can help prevent lower back pain.
Walking at a comfortable pace when you are heavily pregnant will cause your belly to shift around and your instinct may be to support your baby with your hands.
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:
There are hundreds of monitors 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: video screens, a moving lights-sound display, low power and out-of-range warnings, the option to use electricity 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. If your house is small, you don't necessarily need one.
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