top of page

Prenatal Prep & Conversations

Welcoming a baby is more than setting up a nursery — it’s about gently preparing your body, heart, and support system for the big change ahead. This space is here to help you feel strong, connected, and cared for as you get ready to meet your baby and step into this new chapter.

Screenshot 2025-07-10 174737.png

​​​1. Prenatal Body Care

Move to Prepare: Gentle Ways to Stay Active Before Birth

​

Movement can be a powerful tool during pregnancy — not for “staying in shape,” but for feeling strong, grounded, and connected to your changing body. Most doctors will recommend that if you were active before pregnancy, continuing with a similar level of movement is generally safe — with a few important modifications.

​

Avoid high-risk activities like contact sports, exercises that involve lying flat on your back after the first trimester, or anything that could cause you to lose balance. The goal isn’t intensity — it’s feeling good, easing discomfort, and building strength for birth and recovery.

 

🚫Avoid: massages during the first trimester and sauna + hot tub early in pregnancy.

​

You don’t need a personal trainer to benefit from prenatal movement. Here are a few free, trusted resources to support you through each trimester:

​​

Resources​

FAQ Exercising during pregnancy (Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)

​

​Prenatal Fitness Resources ​

Pregnant women doing yoga

​​​2. Prenatal Mental Care​

​

Did you know that research shows  that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men may experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal period?

(Source: Postpartum Support International).

 

Pregnancy brings emotional changes just as big as the physical ones. While we often hear about "the baby blues" and postpartum depression, mental health challenges during pregnancy- like perinatal anxiety and depression- are actually quite common but less often talked about.

​

Official Resources:

​​

Couple Staying Home

3. Crucial Conversations​

​

​

Welcoming a baby is exciting—but it also brings big changes. Having key conversations with your partner before the baby arrives can help you feel more prepared and connected. Whether it’s planning for nighttime duties, discussing emotional needs, setting boundaries with visitors, or aligning on finances, talking things through ahead of time reduces stress and builds a stronger team dynamic for the months ahead.

2 (1).png

What is your preference for pain management? (e.g. epidural)

Who will be joining you in the delivery room?

Who will cut the cord, and will you store it?

Will the baby get Vit. K shot, Hep B vaccine and eye ointment at birth?

Will baby be circumcised? (if boy)

Does hospital have overnight nursery? If so, do you want to use it or keep baby in your room?

Do you want to breastfeed, give bottle or combo?

Who will be your pediatrician? Do they have urgent care?

2.png

​If you think you might want an epidural, let your team know early so they can plan ahead. It takes 10–15 minutes to administer and another 10–20 minutes to start working. Make sure you walk plenty/bounce on ball before to help accelerate labor progression since you wont be able to walk once its administered.

Timing pain management as best as possible

Ask your hospital how many people are allowed into the delivery room and be sure they can offer support and a calming presence. Same goes for visitors during the post-birth: feel free to ask that they see baby in your own terms (you decide when and how)

Delivery room & post-partum guests

Vit.K and eye ointment are typically administered within first hour of life. Refusing them often requires signing hospital waivers. Vit K. and eye ointment are key to prevent serious health issues. Decide if you want to store cord that contains stem cells for potential future use, and if so, how will it be stored? (check cost).

Circumcision: Must be decided usually within 24–48 hours if done in-hospital, and recovery is best when done early. Based on personal, cultural, or religious preference. Good to discuss in advance to avoid pressure.

Do your research on key medical decisions:

2 (2).png
2 (3).png

Many hospitals have shifted to "rooming-in" as the standard of care, where baby stays with the parent 24/7. In these cases, you’ll need to arrange family or partner support if you want rest- plan ahead so you can get some sleep before getting discharged.

Feeding your baby is a deeply personal decision, and it’s helpful to talk through options together before the baby arrives. Breastfeeding offers immune benefits and bonding, but it can also be physically demanding and emotionally overwhelming without support. Bottle feeding — whether with formula or expressed milk — allows others to help and can give the birthing parent needed rest. Combo feeding is a flexible middle ground, and many families adjust their plan as they go. What matters most is feeling supported, informed, and open to what works best for your baby and your family.

Choosing a pediatrician before your baby arrives can give you peace of mind and ensure early support when you need it most. Ask practical questions: Do they offer same-day sick visits, after-hours care, or phone support/nursing line? While most pediatricians won’t schedule the first appointment until after birth, newborns are given priority — so plan to call the office as soon as your baby is born. The first visit typically happens within 24 to 48 hours after you leave the hospital to check on feeding, weight, and overall health.

bottom of page