Your Pregnancy Mantra for Month 9: Breathe In, Breathe Out, & Bring Out Your Bad-A**

Months have an average of 30 days, except the 9th month of pregnancy which has about 1,000 days.

It’s almost go time, mama! We know there are a million things on your mind, but don’t go overboard. It’s Ok to put down your endless to-do list and take it easy. Sleep when your body says sleep. Don’t eat if your body says don’t eat. And remember to breathe!

Of course there are few things you’ll, eventually, want to think about. But baby prep doesn’t have to be stressful. It can even be fun, and a chance to connect with loved ones, if you enlist the help of your partner, trusted friends, fellow moms, and family members who are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of your little pumpkin! Give your future postpartum self something (besides your beautiful baby) to smile about. Just take it one step at a time, and chip away at small tasks as you have the energy.

Pack a hospital bag with all the essentials, plus a few you might not think about like flip flops for the shower (you’ll thank us later), a grocery bag (for all the supplies the nurses send you home with), an extra-long cord for your phone charger (because, inevitably, your bed will be miles away from the nearest outlet), a tablet (for a welcomed distraction during labor), face wipes (because birthing is no joke), and, most importantly, a bottle of bubbly when it’s time to celebrate!
Install your new, ridiculously complicated, carseat and do a hospital drive by.
Wash your baby’s clothes and bedding—preferably in a hypoallergenic, plant based detergent that will be gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin.
Stock up on plenty of newborn diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and baby powder. You’ll be spending an inordinate amount of time at the changing table!
If you have the bandwidth, cook a few meals and pop them into the freezer so you’ll have one less thing to do after you get home from the hospital (think egg muffins for breakfast, comforting soups, or ingredients you can toss into a slow cooker).
Make an empowering, bad-ass playlist. Crank it up any time you feel a hint of worry. You got this! Your body knows exactly how to go into superhero mode to bring this being into the world. And if you trust your instincts afterwards, you're going to be a great mama, too!

Most importantly, be sure to check in with YOURSELF on a daily basis. How are you feeling, mentally and emotionally, about this new chapter of life? In the weeks and year ahead there will be unexpected highs and lows. And though there’s no way to prepare for everything, there are a few things you can do: Be gentle with yourself, set realistic expectations, prioritize communication with your significant other, and get as much rest as you can before and after the birth.

Parenthood is right around the corner. We’re here for you when you get there!

Your new mantra: Breathe in, breathe out & bring out your bad-ass-ness. You can do this!

Baby Size-O-Meter: 9 months = watermelon

Check out our entire pregnancy series that’s all about YOU. Because being pregnant shouldn’t mean losing yourself and just becoming a baby oven ;)