Raise your hand if you had a breakdown thinking about birth plans, birth options and preparing for birth and labour… raises hand. Yeah sis, that was me earlier this week and I’m talking about it all in episode 17 of Oh Mama. I had a reaaaaal moment of feeling like it was all a bit much - and literally bawled my eyes out to James in the carpark of Woolies. So if you’re feeling a little anxious or overwhelmed in your pregnancy as you get closer to birth, you’re not alone.

Now don’t get me wrong, overall I’m actually loving being pregnant and I’m excited to give birth, but I definitely have my moments, and this was one of them! I feel like there’s a lot of noise online about what to do or what not to do, and this week I had a day where it all felt too much. But as always, there’s a lesson in it - and after speaking to family and some close friends, as well as my obstetrician and women’s health physio, I’m feeling a LOT better, and sharing some of my biggest takeaways to help you navigate the overwhelm you might be feeling too as you get closer to labour.

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• 22 weeks pregnancy update
• Seeing my obstetrician for the first time
• Getting support from a women’s health physio with pelvic girdle pain & my pelvic floor
• Feeling overwhelmed at all the options with birth and labour
• Making sure you’re in the right headspace and selective about what birth stories you listen to
• How I’m getting informed so I know my options and what I’m consenting to in labour
• Steps I’m taking to reduce anxiety and overwhelm around birth
• My gradual approach to learning and preparing for labour and birth for the second half of this pregnancy
• Creating a great support team for my birth & labour
• Having boundaries to support your mental health around birth

OH MAMA MANTRA: “I am prepared to meet whatever turns my birthing takes”

How are you feeling in the lead up to labour? DM me @ohmamapod and let me know!

Send us your favourite parts, share your stories or submit a question by emailing heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

**Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.