3 Things I'm Doing to Prepare for Baby #3
Our family is all eagerly awaiting the birth of our baby #3. Although this has definitely been my most difficult pregnancy, I’m in such awe of the sacredness of pregnancy, birth, raising a child. Becoming a mama again feels so peaceful this time around. No more first-time-mama nerves and anxiety. No big move or house hunting ten days postpartum. Just excitement and gratitude to savor up the newborn days as a family of five! Maybe it’s because we waited so long for this miracle, or because I’m older (and slightly wiser 🤪), or because this is likely our last so everything feels a bit more sentimental.
Mackenzie (5) & Olivia (3) are over the moon about having a real, live, actual baby to take care of so that certainly makes things easier, too!
Regardless, welcoming a baby is a huge transition so I’m preparing as much as I can, which helps me enter this season - and labor - with more calm, intention, and presence.
PREPARING MENTALLY FOR LABOR
Emergencies aside, we generally have a choice in how we approach birth (95% of pregnancies fall into the normal, low, or no-risk categories) . And it begins in our minds.
WATCHING POSITIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCES
I fully understand labor doesn’t always go as planned, and almost everyone I personally know has some version of a crazy/scary story (including me), but when I’m getting close to my own labor experience, it’s important I feed my mind good thoughts! Positive, calm, intervention-free birthing experiences serve as mental expanders to focus and visualize on what’s possible, rather than feeding my anxiety! When you focus on the good, the good gets better. Here are some beautiful births: one, two, three.
REREADING INA MAY’S GUIDE TO CHILDBIRTH
Women have been birthing for thousands of years without drugs. Reading the science as well as anecdotal stories of beautiful labor experiences helps me feel prepared, rather than panicked. Check it out.
PRACTICING HYPNOBIRTHING RELAXATIONS
I read this book before my first child was born and did a few (literally 3) relaxations before labor. I figured I’d just listen during labor. Well…it wasn’t as easy as I hoped so I made a serious effort to prepare in advance with my next child and do the work. Beginning around 32 weeks , I started to listen to a hypnobirthing relaxation several times a week before bed, and then increased it to every day. It made a WORLD of difference. I felt so relaxed and connected with my body throughout Olivia’s birth. I progressed quickly and showed up to the hospital 8.5cm dilated, dancing, and ready to go! When it came time to push, my body took over and I breathed her out (drastically different than my first). This time around (baby #3) I’m adding in some relaxations from the Christian Hypnobirthing app.
POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS
Prayer and positive affirmations carry me through labor in all stages. A dear friend gifted these affirmation cards to be five years ago and they are still my favorite.
REVIEWING A BIRTH COURSE
I was fortunate to find a doula in Alabama who offered an incredible birthing course. It changed everything for me! Knowledge truly is power and the more I learned, the less fear and anxiety I had going into labor as a first time mom. I find it helpful to review the course and job my memory.
I recently took the online course Pain Free Birth and it was wonderful. Highly recommend it! (use code Samantha10 to save)
2. PREPARING BODY FOR LABOR
MOVEMENT
Rolling on the exercise ball at night to open and relieve lower back pain. I try to roll the ABCs or figure eights. (Note: don’t bounce!)
Stretches
Walking
Sleeping on my left side
Inversions or spinning babies if baby is not in the optimal position
Weekly chiropractor visits
DRINKING RASPBERRY LEAF TEA
Red raspberry leaf tea contains the alkaloid fragrine, which can help strengthen the uterus as well as the pelvic area.
It is is rich in vitamins and minerals, containing vitamins C, E, and A, a variety of B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus.
It also contains essential trace minerals such as zinc, iron, chromium and manganese. These vitamins and minerals are in a readily absorbable form.
I drink 2 cups per day, beginning around week 33.
EATING DATES
This study showed women who ate six deglet noor dates (or about 3 medjool dates ~ 75g) a day for the four weeks prior to their due date had 77% shorter first stage of labor, 74% more dialated than non-date eaters at admission to birthplace.
Serotonin, tannin, and calcium in date fruit contribute to the contraction of smooth muscles of the uterus.
Dates help ripen the cervix and have oxytocin-like effects, reducing postpartum hemorrhage the way oxytocin does.
“Dates fruit consumption during late pregnancy has been shown to positively affect the outcome of labour and delivery without adverse effect on the mother and child.” Source
EATING 80-100g OF PROTEIN PER DAY
It is well known protein intake should increase during pregnancy, but especially in the third trimester when babies brains undergo insane amounts of growth. Protein is critical to brain development!
High Quality Protein
After we watched Kiss the Ground and visited Polyface Regenerative farm in June 2021, we’ve been sourcing our meat from grass-fed, pasture-raised, ethically sourced meat, which goes beyond organic meat. Wild Pasture has made it super simple (and more affordable) by delivering a monthly subscription right to our door. Save 20% on your first box, and cancel any time.
Pasture raised protein (meat and eggs) contain more nutrients than other protein sources.
Protein Drinks
Unfortunately, there are no regulations on protein powders or dietary supplements. They fall under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. I personally only use protein powder from sources that are third party tested for heavy metals and glyphosate residue
I add a scoop of collagen to my coffee/matcha, which is great for skin, joints, and gut, but it doesn’t build muscle tissue.
I add a scoop of Activ Whey Protein Powder to smoothies– grass fed goat protein powder, which contains he full range of essential amino acids
Avoid these ingredients in protein powders:
Maltodextrin
GMO’s
MSG
Sugar, Sucralose, Aspartame
Soy Lecithin
Whey Protein Isolate or Soy Protein Isolate (basically anything Isolate)
Polysorbate 80
DRINKING MORE WATER & ELECTROYLYTES
Did you know the volume of blood triples for women as we get close to labor – our bodies really are incredible! Drinking water and electrolytes helps me support this endeavor and feel less tired!
My absolute favorite drink is Organifi Red. Antioxidants are crucial for repairing cells and reinstating our immune defenses. Also, consuming sugar can have the negative consequences of lower immunity by up to 75% for 5 hours! So a low sugar drink like Organifi Red Juice can be a great healthy substitute. Save with code sunnyseed.
Organifi Red includes
11 antioxidant-rich superfoods for repairing our immune system and boosting energy
Micronutrients, phytonutrients, and polyphenols
All natural herbs, medicinal mushrooms & berries to protect immunity
3. PREPARING THE HOME
I’ve been nesting hard. Every room, closet, and door has been organized. Have you heard the saying “outer order, inner peace.” Well, that’s how my brain typically works, but especially during the third trimester. It makes our day to day more calm and efficient so we can focus on the things that matter most. It also helps my kids to be more independent and for my husband/mom/babysitter to keep the house and kids happily in routine. Predictable routines create less resistance and stress for kids…and mama. During a big transition, like adding a new sibling, predictability and consistency help kids to feel secure!
But also, you should know I’m generally wired this way. I enjoyed organizing even as a young child, and I see it emerging now with my oldest. She has the knack for it, too!
Ordered pads, herb bath, creams, and natural pain reliever. Linked here.
Washed baby clothes (I guess this is a perk of 3 girls – don’t need to buy anything new)
Gathered all our baby items from storage.
Ordered breast pump through insurance. I prefer the Spectra and Elvie.
Organized breastmilk storage. I try to avoid plastic, especially heating plastic, and opt for these glass bottles that can attach directly to the pump. I also freeze breast milk in these cubes and then pop them out and store in mason jars.
Ordered nontoxic baby diapers.
Installed carseat – we choose to avoid flame retardants
Packed Hospital Bag
For mama:
Pretty bathrobe
Birth plan – print a few copies. I also have an emergency birth plan in the event of an unplanned C-section. I don’t give it to the nurses initially, but my husband and doula know where it is.
Toiletries – deo, toothpaste, lip balm, hair ties, skincare, minimal makeup, lotion, contacts/glasses
Comfy clothes, nursing bras, pajamas
Slippers & cozy socks
Long cell phone charger
Drinks & electrolytes/Organifi
Adult diapers, spray, nipple cream,
Portable speaker & Spotify playlists during labor
Amber light, portable diffuser, portable fan
Book
Snacks, gum, candy
Blanket
Water bottle
For baby:
Car seat
Onesies
Blanket
Nontoxic diapers/wipes
For spouse:
Water bottle
Clothes & PJs
Toiletries
Book
More snacks
Light sleeping bag/blanket
Phew! Even with all this preparation, I acknowledge things won’t go as planned, I’ll forget something, and probably feel like I have no clue what I’m doing, but hey, that’s parenting! I’m always learning, evolving, and relying on the only One who can truly sustain us. Motherhood is sanctifying work, so whether you are preparing for your first or fifth baby, I salute and celebrate you!!
