What's growing
Eyes begin to open
About 36 cm. Eyelids unfuse. Baby may startle at sudden loud noises.
Source: Hepper & Shahidullah, Archives of Disease in Childhood 71(2), 1994 — Fetal hearing
What's changing in you
Ribs feel tight
Diaphragm is being pushed up. Breathlessness on stairs is common and not a problem alone.
Source: Soma-Pillay et al., Cardiovascular Journal of Africa 27(2), 2016 — Physiological changes in pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Maternal brain
Birth narrative-building
You may catch yourself rehearsing the birth in your head. This is anticipatory work, not catastrophizing.
Source: Nilsson et al., Women and Birth 31(1), 2018 — Fear of childbirth review
You & baby
Read the same book each night
Repeated stories in T3 are preferred by newborns over novel stories within days of birth.
Source: DeCasper & Fifer, Science 208, 1980 — Of human bonding: newborns prefer their mothers' voices
For your partner
Start the birth-prep conversation
Two values, two fears, two non-negotiables — each. Then write them down.
Source: Gottman & Gottman, Bringing Baby Home — J Family Communication 5(4), 2005
Move with care
Doorway chest opener
Hands on the door frame, step through. Counters T3 rounding posture (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
Iron reassessment
Hemoglobin is often rechecked late T2/early T3. Low iron is common and treatable.
Source: WHO Guideline: Daily iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnant women (2012)
General info — not personalized medical advice.
60-second prompt
What does your wisest self know?
Ask the version of you ten years from now. Listen.
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.