“Doesn't expecting the unexpected make the unexpected expected?” Bob Dylan
Key Concepts:
● For your baby: Reflexes are beginning to develop - like sucking and swallowing (essential for survival). Some babies even suck their thumb in the womb!
● For you: Discomfort continues, like shortness of breath, rib pain and stiffness.
● For your partner: It’s time for logistics mode like planning meal trains, managing visitor schedules, and learning about newborn care.
● Despite planning and preparation, the reality is that childbirth is inherently unpredictable. Embracing this uncertainty can help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to remain flexible and responsive to the unique circumstances of this experience.
● How we were parented significantly impacts how we parent. By understanding your own backgrounds, you can identify positive practices you want to continue and negative patterns you want to avoid.
● Trauma from generations passed can impact how our genes are expressed, how our body reacts to environmental triggers, and how we both perceive and express emotions. The impact of intergenerational trauma can manifest in many ways, including anxiety, depression, difficulty forming secure attachments, and challenges in emotional regulation.
● Parenting styles play a significant role in shaping a child's development, behavior, and overall well-being. Three well-known parenting styles are permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian.
What to do:
● Educate yourself about the various scenarios that could occur during labor and delivery. While having a birth plan is beneficial, it’s equally important to familiarize yourself with potential deviations from that plan, such as the need for medical interventions.
● Create a support system. Surround yourself with people who can provide emotional and practical support, such as your partner, family members, friends, or a doula.
● Stay flexible. Understand that the journey to welcoming your baby may not unfold exactly as envisioned, and that’s perfectly okay.
● Pack your hospital bag around 36 weeks. We’ve got a PDF with all the items you need.