<aside> 👋🏻 Friends! Congrats on your babe!

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NOTE: This is a lot and it can be a bit overwhelming. Read through it in full or in part, depending on what you need. Also, perhaps some points are TMI, but after going through the birth experience, I’ve become quite the open book.

One of the things that always boggles my mind about pregnancy/birth is how different it is for every person. Even for the same pregnant person, each of their pregnancies and birth experiences may be totally different. And after Luke arrived, I had a LOT of thoughts in the first few days and weeks, and despite being a doc (and a pediatric ER doc), I realized there was SO MUCH I didn’t know and wish I knew prior to his arrival. So, I wrote it all down. Obviously this is all from my personal experience, and know that things might be totally different for you! But hope this helps a little!

Also, for context behind my thoughts: I had a vaginal birth, with an epidural and an episiotomy. 12 hours from admission to birth, stayed in the hospital for 2 nights after Luke was born.

End of Pregnancy / Pre-Birth

• enjoy the sleep (if you’re getting any) and quiet time while you can! Unless you already have a toddler…. 😵‍💫
• shower and eat something before all doctors appointments in the last month before your due date. You never know when they are going to send you to the hospital for something...and then you might not go home without an extra human being in tow.
• have your bags packed and ready to grab/go around 35-36 weeks. Babies come when they want and sometimes it’s on the early side.
• make a labor playlist...we did a mellow one and a more upbeat one for pushing. And if you end up with a C-section, I think some places will let you play your own music. Highly recommend!
• all the old wives tales to trigger labor may or may not work. I tried pineapple, red raspberry leaf tea, long walks, spicy food, sex…in some combination during the week I went into labor.
• you may have heard about perineal massage (google if you haven’t heard) after 35 weeks to prevent tearing during vaginal delivery. May or may not work?
• talk with your partner ahead of time about how they can best support you during labor. Make sure they know your birth preferences. This is especially important when you cant think clearly during intense moments, they can be your advocate and voice. Also, how much do they want to see? Do they want to cut the cord? Etc. Also good to communicate this with your doc and nurse on arrival to the hospital.