What's growing
Hearing the outside world
About 28 cm crown-to-heel. Loud or rhythmic sounds may now elicit movement responses.
Source: Hepper & Shahidullah, Archives of Disease in Childhood 71(2), 1994 — Fetal hearing
What's changing in you
Braxton-Hicks may begin
Practice contractions: irregular, painless tightenings. They are not labor — but call your provider if they become regular.
Source: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed. (Cunningham et al., 2022)
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Maternal brain
Hyper-vigilance is biological
The maternal brain becomes more attuned to threat-related cues. Useful — and exhausting.
Source: Hoekzema et al., Nature Neuroscience 20, 287–296 (2017)
You & baby
Make a playlist
Repeated melodies in T3 are recognized by newborns up to four months later.
Source: Partanen et al., PNAS 110(37), 2013 — Prenatal experience and learning of melodies
For your partner
Sing the same song
If your partner sings or plays one tune nightly, baby will track that voice after birth too.
Source: Partanen et al., PNAS 110(37), 2013 — Prenatal experience and learning of melodies
Move with care
Slow swims
Buoyancy off-loads the spine and pelvis — among the most comfortable T2/T3 movements (ACOG 804).
Source: ACOG Committee Opinion 804 (reaffirmed 2020) — Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Eat for two brains
Don't skip breakfast
Prolonged morning fasting is associated with more pregnancy nausea and lower energy through the day.
Source: Biagi et al., Nutrients 11(5), 2019 — Mediterranean diet in pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
60-second prompt
What sound do you want to hear at birth?
A song, a voice, silence. Decide before the day.
Source: Lieberman et al., Psychological Science 18(5), 2007 — Affect labeling
Developed and curated by perinatal psychologists, family & couples counsellors, doulas, perinatal health & fitness specialists, and IBCLCs / lactation consultants. Educational — not a substitute for medical care.