You're gonna hear from me where I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, but I'm gonna be cheering you on along the way. You can follow along each Wednesday because pregnancy deserves more than outdated advice and Google anxiety.

What's going on with baby? The real deal with your body, what appointments look like and how to handle the emotional and mental weight of this season. And you're probably thinking we got here quickly. What the actual, I've been puking since week six. But I'm with you. I've been there. I've been pregnant nine times.

Oh my gosh. So yummy. Your baby is around 11 to 12 inches long and nearly one and a half pounds. I'm gonna give you a heads up. I've had too much coffee today, but that's okay. Have fun. Let's go on this ride and talk more about developments, even though Labor Nurse Mama has had too much coffee. Okay, so key developments This week, your baby's lungs are developing what is called surfactant.

This is a crucial substance for breathing at birth and helps them transition from breathing water to breathing air. Their eyelids are beginning to open and. Sweet tiny little eyelashes are forming. Baby's hearing is super sharp. They may respond to your voice loud music or your partner's laugh. I remember at my MFM appointment, my maternal fetal medicine with Grayson, we were about 23 to 25 weeks.

I don't know. It just was one of those moments I'll probably remember till the day I die, like on my death bed. I'm gonna remember Sweet Little Grayson. Okay, so now that we're all crying, let's get back. They're moving a lot, and you might be learning their patterns now like they're getting established.

And next week we're gonna start talking about fetal kick counts and really dive into that around week 27. So really start paying attention to movement patterns, but don't stress yet. No formal kick counts yet. Just tune in. Baby is starting to create their own little rhythm, which is probably not the same as yours.

We're gonna link to our Amazon shop in the show notes and you can find my second trimester shopping list, but also for aches and pains. So round ligament pain is sharp tugs. When you move quickly, lower back pain or even sciatica nerve might be bothering you as well.

And there's things you can do to relieve them. And we have some episodes on that, but we also have some information for you as well in on the blog. So check out Labor nurse WMA dot. Com and go to the blog. Shortness of breath might be kicking up a more discharge. It's totally normal unless it's foul smelling or a weird color, then you need to get it checked out.

Again, that's gonna help you distinguish between the real deal and Braxton Hicks. Now, another thing that a lot of people don't talk about that kicks up right around this time is insane hunger. Like digestively, you are going through so much drama, whether it's. Tons of hunger bloat, gas reflux, all the things

some of the ladies inside the membership recommend papaya enzymes, so you can check that out. So if you're having some digestive issues, again, increase your fluids. Check out papaya enzymes, eat healthy balance of foods, and if you're having gas, talk to your doctor.

Girl, you are amazing and I 100% recommend rub that belly. Say thank you to your body, 'cause your body is doing something so incredibly amazing right now. If you feel just exhausted and touched out and like you have nothing left to give, it's okay to tell people that you are building a human.

You are building a human, so you don't have to carry it all, and you don't have to perform and stay up to the standards that you did before you were pregnant. Maybe like you went hiking every weekend or you went out on the boat, or you did all these things and now you're like, I can't even get off the couch.

Talking through concerns, cramps movements, they're gonna be going over preterm labor signs, or if anything just seems off at this stage, like consistent cramping or backache or vaginal pressure, your provider may do a fetal fibronectin test to check it's called an FFN, and to check for the risk of early labor.

I'd rather you be wrong. Regular cramping or tightening. If you have any bleeding or spotting, that is concerning. I would always recommend just telling your provider if you have any intense pelvic pressure, especially that comes and goes. You are not being annoying. You're advocating. I'm gonna say this to you guys.

Tone. I'm blue in the face. Not annoying. Advocating. During this stage of pregnancy, a lot of women feel like they're in between their old self and their new self. Like on the outside, you're working, you're managing home life, you're running errands, but on the inside, you know you're Googling baby gear at home, prepping for birth, wondering if your partner gets it.

But you're still expected to have sex and be intimate, or you may feel like you're carrying this entire pregnancy and all the planning. This is, again, we talked about it last week, but you need to have the hard conversations, like start practicing it now, exercise that muscle and just, you know, if you need some pointers, send us a DM on Instagram.

We'll, we'll chat it out with you. If you're inside the membership, talk to the other moms. 'cause I know we've had really deep conversations about this. Even a small emotional shift can really be a game changer for you right now, and sometimes just saying it out loud will release the anxiety and the pressure that it has on you.

Just because your mom did or your sister did, or your friend does, doesn't mean you have to. Like, you're allowed to have your own. Feelings. If you are feeling disconnected to the baby or the pregnancy, just rub your belly and talk to the baby. Start every day, like practice like, hi baby, and like have a little convo with the baby and journal.

Journal. What's coming up for you emotionally, physically, the fears. Join a pregnancy community like mine. Call Mama Society Girl. It is $19 a month. You cannot beat that. It's like two cups of coffee at Starbucks and so much more powerful. You will feel so supported and loved on. You'll have the immediate access to answers to your questions.

I say this every week, so you should have that one down Pat. Write down anything weird you're feeling and track it. And if you need to talk to your provider, talk to them. Start observing movement. Just get curious. You don't have to start tracking it. I would start preparing your postpartum support plan.

It is time for that. Like I know it seems early, but God forbid you have this baby earlier. We want to have a support plan in place. Check in with your partner or your support person about how you're feeling emotionally and. Physically.

Okay, mama. I hope you enjoyed this episode. Go back, binge all the episodes. Go to the birth experience. Listen to the birth experience episodes. You are growing a life. And you're still out here working, parenting, navigating. That's not small, and that's not easy. That's freaking incredible, and you are a superhero to me.

We are. So happy you're here. We love you, we adore you, and we're so proud of you. I will see you again next Wednesday. Bye for now.