Welcome to week 27 of pregnancy â the official start of the third trimester. đ At this point, your baby is busy growing, your body is shifting in new (and sometimes strange) ways, and you might be feeling the pressure to "get everything ready." But letâs be real â most first-time moms feel a little unsure right now.
So hereâs your real talk guide to whatâs going on in your body, your babyâs development, and how to actually start preparing for labor and breastfeeding.
At 27 weeks, your baby is about the size of a head of cauliflower â around 15 inches long and 2 pounds in weight. But the most exciting change? Brain development.
Babyâs brain is building billions of neural connections
REM sleep (and even dreaming) begins this week
Baby can now recognize your voice â talk and sing away!
These changes are laying the foundation for learning, bonding, and early attachment. Itâs the perfec...
If youâre 26 weeks pregnant and wondering if that sudden belly pop or weird rib ache is normal⊠youâre not alone. This week isnât just another milestone â itâs a major turning point in your pregnancy.
Letâs dive into the unexpected truths, expert tips, and must-do actions to make this week count.
At 26 weeks, your baby is about the size of a head of kale or a long zucchini doing flips in a water balloon (yep, thatâs the vibe).
Whatâs happening inside:
Blinking & eyelashes! Your baby can now blink and even react to light.
Lung development: Tiny branches and surfactant are forming to help your baby breathe air after birth.
Amniotic fluid breathing: Yep, your little one is practicing those first big breaths.
This is when your body really starts shifting to prepare for labor and postpartum.
Here ar...
Welcome to week 25, mama! If youâre wondering whatâs normal (and whatâs just plain weird) this week, youâre in the right place. From achy backs and vivid dreams to surprising changes in your gums and boobs â your body is working overtime right now. Letâs break down exactly what to expect.
Your baby is now around 13-14 inches long and weighs about 1.5 pounds â about the size of a full cauliflower! Hereâs whatâs happening developmentally:
Fat layers are forming to help regulate temperature after birth
Lung development continues as surfactant production begins
The startle reflex (Moro reflex) kicks in â baby can react to loud noises
Voice recognition begins â baby can start to recognize your and your partnerâs voices!
Out of breath easily? Your uterus is pushing up against your lungs
You're officially six months in, and this week is a BIG milestone â viability week! That means your baby would now have a chance of survival if born early. đ And while you're not planning on that, it's still a powerful reminder of how far youâve come, mama.
In this weekâs guide, weâre sharing evidence-based, week-by-week pregnancy tips that go beyond the generic info â because you deserve the full picture.
Size: About 1.3 pounds and the length of an ear of corn đœ
Whatâs developing: Lungs are maturing, taste buds are forming, and your babyâs face is fully formed!
Kicks are stronger now, and you may even notice a little routine â like baby being more active at night (because of course đ ).
Round Ligament Pain: That sharp, stretchy feeling in your lower belly? Totally normal as your
...
If youâre 23 weeks pregnant, congrats!
Youâre more than halfway through your pregnancy journey, and whether youâre feeling like a glowing goddess or a tired hot mess (both are valid!), this week brings some big changes for both you and baby.
Letâs break it down.
At 23 weeks, your uterus is around the size of a soccer ball and sitting above your belly button. You might start feeling:
More consistent baby movements (those fluttery kicks are now full-on jabs!)
Round ligament pain
Increased appetite
Slight swelling in your feet or hands
A stronger need for support garments or belly bands
đĄ Doula Tip: A belly support band can make a huge difference in easing lower back and ligament pain. Trust meâyouâll thank yourself.
Your baby is about 11 inches long and just over a pound. Their lungs are developing rapidly (though not quite ready for the outside world just yet), and thei...
Youâre officially 22 weeks pregnant, and trust meâyouâre doing amazing. As a doula and lactation consultant, Iâve walked with so many mamas through this week, and Iâm here to break it all down for you in a way thatâs actually helpful (and not full of medical jargon that leaves you more confused than before).
So letâs get into itâhereâs whatâs going on with your baby, your body, and your brain at 22 weeks.
Your baby is about the size of a papaya (around 11 inches long and just under a pound!)
Those little eyelids and eyebrows? Fully formed now.
Babyâs starting to develop a sense of touch, and they might even be grabbing onto the umbilical cord.
Movements might feel more definedâthink flips, stretches, and kicks!
You might be noticing more backaches or round ligament painâtotally normal but super annoying.
Stretch marks may start to pop up around your belly, boobs, or hips.
You could be fee
...
Are you 21 weeks pregnant and feeling all the feelings? Letâs talk about it!
As a doula and lactation consultant, I love walking alongside first-time moms through every beautiful (and sometimes weird) part of pregnancy. And week 21? This is such an exciting milestone!
Hereâs whatâs happening inside your body â and what to expect from your baby right now.
Baby is about 10.5 inches long â about the size of a banana!
Theyâre swallowing amniotic fluid (and tasting what you eat!)
Babyâs digestive system is practicing for life outside the womb
Movements may feel stronger & more rhythmic now
Tiny eyebrows, eyelashes & facial features are becoming more defined
Round ligament pain (ouch!)
Stretching belly & itchy skin
Trouble sleeping
Braxton Hicks contractions (practice contractions!)
Increased hunger â your baby is growing fast!
Are you worried about your milk supply? Youâre not alone! Milk supply concerns are the #1 stressor for new momsâbut hereâs the truth: most moms actually make enough milk!
So why do so many moms panic about low supply? Because of misinformation, myths, and unrealistic expectations. In this post, Iâll break down:
â How to know if your milk supply is actually low
â The biggest milk supply myths you need to stop believing
â What actually causes low milk supply (and how to fix it!)
Â
Before you stress, hereâs what actually matters:
â
Wet diapers: At least 6+ wet diapers per day after the first week = a healthy supply.
â
Babyâs weight gain: Back to birth weight by 2 weeks and gaining 4-7 ounces per week.
â
Content baby: If your baby is alert, active, and nursing well, youâre likely making enough!
đ« What doesnât mean low supply?
Soft breasts (thatâs normal!)
Frequent n
...
Breastfeeding is supposed to be natural, right? Then why do so many moms struggle with low milk supply from the start? The truth is, most of the time, itâs not because their body canât make enough milkâitâs because they were set up for failure without even realizing it.
If youâre a first-time mom and planning to breastfeed, you need to avoid these three costly mistakes that can tank your supply before you even get started. Letâs dive in!
Your baby is born with a strong instinct to latch, but that instinct fades quickly. If you wait too long to start breastfeeding, your baby might get too sleepy or frustrated to latch properly, which means your body wonât get the signals it needs to produce milk.
đĄ Solution: Aim to nurse your baby within the first hour after birth (a.k.a. âThe Golden Hourâ). This kickstarts milk production and sets you up for long-term breastfeeding success.
Breastfeeding is NaturalâSo Why Is It So Hard?
If youâre struggling with breastfeeding, let me tell youâyou are NOT alone. So many new moms start their journey expecting it to come naturally, only to be met with sore nipples, latching issues, and endless self-doubt.
But hereâs what no one tells you: breastfeeding is a learned skill. Just like walking, talking, or riding a bike, it takes practice and the right information to get it right. And unfortunately, many moms are set up to fail before they even begin.
Lie #1: Your body will just know what to do. Breastfeeding is instinctual for babies, but itâs still a learning process for both mom and baby. A good latch doesnât always happen automatically, and positioning takes practice.
Lie #2: If youâre struggling, just push through the pain. Pain is NOT normal. If breastfeeding hurts, thereâs likely an issue with the latch, positioning, or even a tongue tie. You donât have to sufferâthe...
This FREE cheat sheet will walk you through 3 evidence-based strategies to boost your breastfeeding confidence and increase your milk supply.