What's growing
Most settle head-down by now
About 46 cm. Brain is still maturing rapidly until and beyond birth.
Source: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed. (Cunningham et al., 2022)
What's changing in you
Pre-labor signs may appear
Mucus plug changes, looser stools, prodromal contractions. These can come days or weeks before labor.
Source: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed. (Cunningham et al., 2022)
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Maternal brain
Hyperawareness of every twinge
T3 amplifies interoceptive attention. Useful for labor — exhausting now.
Source: Hoekzema et al., Nature Neuroscience 20, 287–296 (2017)
You & baby
Practice 'inviting baby out' rituals
Bath, music, hand on belly. Bonding rituals also lower stress hormones.
Source: Cranley, Nursing Research 30(5), 1981 — Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale
For your partner
Memorize the route to the birth place
Day, night, traffic. Run it twice. Reduces day-of panic dramatically.
Source: Cowan & Cowan, When Partners Become Parents (1992; 2nd ed. 2000)
Move with care
Walk + supported squat alternating
10 min walk, 1 min supported squat, repeat. Mobilises the pelvis without exhausting you (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
Easy iron-rich meals
Hemoglobin matters at birth — blood loss is part of the process. Don't slack on iron now.
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 body already know?
It has been preparing for nine months. Trust it where you can.
Source: Bohren et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2017 — Continuous support during childbirth
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.