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First trimester weeks

Congrats! During the first trimester, you’re getting used to the idea of being pregnant.

Second trimester weeks

As you enter this second trimester, your body will settle down to pregnancy.

Third trimester weeks

You've reached the third and final trimester and will be heavily pregnant by now.

Week 32 of Pregnancy

Your midwife will be monitoring your baby's position in the uterus.
The baby has not settled into her final birth position just yet, but an assessment of how she's lying will be made at every routine checkup. There's still room in the uterus for your baby to exercise her limbs and she's getting much stronger and more active. You'll know all about it! As your belly gets bigger, it may become more difficult to be very active and to get comfortable when you're sitting or lying down.

31 Weeks, 5 Days

58 days to go...

ultrasound of human fetus 31 weeks and 5 days

Your baby today

This image shows a furrowed brow and an open-eyed expression. Just as the muscle tone in the limbs is strengthening, so the muscles of the face are being used and tested. This can produce some unusual expressions that do not necessarily reflect your baby's emotions.

How your baby is positioned can affect your delivery, but there is plenty of time at this stage for things to change.

Each time you are examined your doctor will assess your baby's lie and presentation. Many babies are in the breech position earlier in the pregnancy, but most turn into the head down position by the end of the pregnancy. Still, breech births occur in about one in 25 full-term births. Between 32 and 37 weeks is the best time for your doctor to try to turn a breech baby. This is because there is plenty of room for the baby to turn around. After the 35th or 36th week, the baby is unlikely to change position since there is less room for large maneuvers. If your baby is breech, your doctor may try to turn the baby, a process called version and she may recommend an extra ultrasound scan at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby's position. It may be difficult to be completely sure, on examination alone, whether the doctor is feeling the baby's bottom or head. If your baby is breech, your doctor may suggest a cesarean delivery.

Focus On... Dads

Getting the balance right

Much of later pregnancy involves your partner doing less than normal. This may range from doing less exercise to not doing household chores. It may be challenging for your partner to realize that she's not able to do things as easily as before and, to a certain extent, is less independent.

You can be a great help to her in the final weeks of pregnancy, but be aware that there's a fine line between being supportive and being overly protective. Deep down you may want to turn into "superman" and do everything, but it might frustrate your partner if you become overly protective. Try to take the lead from her and give her help as and when she needs it, as well as space to do her own thing.

31 Weeks, 5 Days

58 days to go...

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