What's growing
Immune system priming
About 44 cm. Antibodies pass from you to baby across the placenta.
Source: Moore, Persaud & Torchia, The Developing Human, 11th ed. (2020)
What's changing in you
Swelling, mild and symmetric
Common and usually benign. Sudden, asymmetric, or with headache/visual changes — call your provider.
Source: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed. (Cunningham et al., 2022)
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Maternal brain
Anticipatory grief for couplehood
Mourning the just-the-two-of-you life is normal. It does not mean you don't want the baby.
Source: Cowan & Cowan, When Partners Become Parents (1992; 2nd ed. 2000)
You & baby
Sing the same lullaby nightly
Newborns recognize lullabies sung in T3 up to four months postpartum.
Source: Partanen et al., PNAS 110(37), 2013 — Prenatal experience and learning of melodies
For your partner
Discuss postpartum visitors
Who, when, how long, what they bring. Decide together. Be the bouncer for each other.
Source: Cowan & Cowan, When Partners Become Parents (1992; 2nd ed. 2000)
Move with care
Wall-supported squats
Builds endurance you may want during pushing. Heels grounded, breath steady. Avoid breath-holding (Valsalva) unless you're a trained lifter — Davenport 2025 supports brief Valsalva in trained participants only.
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Eat for two brains
Probiotic-rich foods
Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut. Maternal microbiome influences neonatal gut colonization.
Source: Biagi et al., Nutrients 11(5), 2019 — Mediterranean diet in pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
60-second prompt
What boundaries will you protect postpartum?
Two. Specific. Tell your partner.
Source: Gottman, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (1999) — Repair attempts
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.