June 5, 2025 • 10 mins
EP 98:
This week on Oh Baybee!, we’re diving into week 27 of pregnancy — a MAJOR milestone as you step into the third trimester! 🎉 If you’ve been feeling a little foggy, itchy, emotional, or just plain confused about what’s normal — this episode is for you.
We’re talking all things:
- 👶🏾 Baby’s brain glow-up (it’s wild, y’all!)
- 🤰🏾 Pregnancy symptoms that actually make sense once you know why
- 📋 What to start doing right now to feel ready for birth and breastfeeding
- 😵💫 Emotional prep for the transition into motherhood (nobody prepares you for this part!)
This episode is packed with real, evidence-based info that’ll leave you feeling informed, empowered, and less alone. And if you’re wondering how in the world you’re supposed to prep for labor and breastfeeding before baby even arrives — I’ve got you covered.
🎯 Join my Bump To Bundle Blueprint course — your step-by-step roadmap for birth, breastfeeding, and everything in between.
👉🏾 Click here to enroll now
📝 Resources & Links Mentioned:
→ Enroll in Bump to Bundle Blueprint
→ Watch the “How To Prep For Birth Like A Boss!” video
→ Download your free hospital bag checklist
📩 Let’s connect!
Birth Prep Academy YouTube
Website: www.birthprepacademy.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founderand CEO of Birth Prep Academy.
I'm on a mission to helppregnant moms prepare for their
first hospital birth.
I'm sharing revealingconversations about what it
really takes to successfullytransition into motherhood.
So join me.
Here to discover things likewhat to expect in childbirth,
(00:27):
how to prepare for your birth.
We'll also talk aboutbreastfeeding and so much more.
I'm so grateful to share it allwith you right here on Oh Baby,
the podcast created for pregnantmoms preparing for their first
hospital birth.
Let's get started.
Hey there, and welcome back tothe channel, or if you're brand
(00:50):
new here.
I'm Stephanie Poole, a certifieddoula and lactation consultant.
But more importantly, I helppregnant moms just like you feel
confident and ready to givebirth like a boss.
And I'm talking.
Even if it's your very firsttime.
Okay.
Now that we've gotten that outthe way, can we just pause for a
(01:11):
second and say, oh my goodness,you are 27 weeks pregnant.
Like what?
You are officially in the thirdtrimester, But also you're
probably thinking, what the heckis happening to my body right
now?
Because this is where things getreal.
And I'm talking real, real inthis episode.
(01:35):
I'm giving you the real talk.
On what's happening at 27 weeksfrom weird symptoms.
Yes, the itchy belly is a thing.
We're gonna get into it.
So sit tight to what's happeningwith your baby's brain to
exactly what you should be doingright now to get ready for labor
and breastfeeding because.
(01:57):
The countdown is on my friend,so make sure you watch to the
end, because I'm dropping mygo-to strategy to avoid that
wild newborn chaos and how youcan totally get ahead of the
game when the baby gets here.
So with that being said, let'sgo.
(02:17):
All right, let's talk aboutbaby.
At 27 weeks, your baby is around15 inches long and weighs about
two pounds, which is about thesize of a head of cauliflower or
a big bunch of bananas dependingon the app that you're using.
But here's what's reallyexciting.
(02:38):
Your baby's brain is goingthrough a serious glow up.
Right now.
We're talking billions ofneurons.
They're just firing off.
They're also learning how toregulate temperature and even
starting to dream during REMsleep.
So yeah, your baby's having aglow up, for sure.
(03:00):
Now, I know we talked about thisbefore, but in case you're new.
Did you know that research showsyour baby will start to
recognize your voice?
Now, I've gone over this partbefore, but it's so super
important.
I love to hit it as much as Ican, and that is that your baby
is starting to recognize yourvoice.
(03:21):
So if you've been talking orsinging, right, if you've done
your homework because I've givenit as homework in my previous
episodes, then your baby willlikely get to know your voice so
much so that they will know you.
Even after they're born, they'llbe able to recognize you and
your partner's voice that istalking so strongly to them.
(03:45):
Even now, this is a great timeto start bonding and, and doing
those things like talking to thebaby, playing music, rubbing
your belly.
It actually helps with earlyattachment and brain
development, which means it's awin win.
All right.
I'm off my soapbox about that.
Now let's talk about what'sgoing on with you Because this
(04:07):
week can feel like arollercoaster.
Let's break it down with somereal symptoms that you might be
feeling.
Okay.
Number one, brain fog.
you may be walking into a roomand forgetting why.
Well, that's not just you.
Pregnancy brain is real.
Estrogen and progesterone arechanging how your brain
(04:29):
processes info.
So just give yourself a littlegrace here.
All right.
Number two, heartburn.
Your baby's pushing everythingup, so if you're feeling like a
fire breathing dragon afterdinner, you are not alone, my
friend.
I want you to try smaller meals.
(04:49):
Avoid spicy food before bed, anddon't lie down right after
eating.
Give yourself time to reallydigest your food well.
okay, number three is bellyitching or dry skin.
Your belly is stretching likecrazy and your skin is trying to
keep up.
So I want you to lather on somecoconut oil or a good
(05:13):
fragrance-free belly butter thatwill really help your skin to
stay hydrated.
All right.
Number four is Braxton Hicks.
Now, Braxton Hicks, I've spokeabout this one previously as
well, but I wanna do a quickrecap just to let you know that
they are practice contractions.
(05:33):
And you may actually start tosee them starting to show up
from now until you actually givebirth.
they may look like you, yourbelly is getting tight, maybe a
little bit uncomfortable, but itshouldn't be painful.
And all of this is totallynormal.
Remember, if they get superregular or painful, then you
(05:58):
should definitely call yourprovider.
Now here's a pro tip.
Start tracking these whensymptoms start showing up.
Not only does it help you toprep for what's next, but it
gives your provider morecontext, if anything off.
Okay, now let's talk prep,because the biggest thing that I
(06:19):
hear from new moms is I wish Ihad known sooner what to expect
when giving birth.
So at 27 weeks, here's what Iwant you to start doing.
First up, I want you to startyour birth prep plan now.
Not the cute Pinterest version.
I mean, really leaning into whatactually happens during labor,
(06:43):
how to advocate for yourself andunderstanding what your body
will do.
That's exactly what I break downinside of Bump to Bundle
Blueprint, which I'll talk alittle bit more about in just a
little bit.
Alright, the next thing I wantyou to do is learn about
breastfeeding before your babygets here.
Waiting until your baby is.
(07:03):
Born to figure out breastfeedingis like waiting until a final
exam to open the textbook.
Your hormones will be on a wildpostpartum ride.
And trying to learn everythingin the moment can be
overwhelming.
In fact, there was a recentstudy that showed that women who
(07:24):
prepare for birth prenatally bygetting childbirth classes and
breastfeeding classes actuallyhave a better birth experience.
This is not just my opinion, itis evidence-based and research
backed.
So you definitely wanna learnabout breastfeeding.
before your baby gets here.
(07:46):
Alright, now step three is toprep your questions for your
next prenatal visit.
Ask about your provider's birthphilosophy.
What happens if you go past yourdue date and when they typically
recommend interventions, themore you ask now, the more
confident you'll feel, then,okay, this is the part most
(08:09):
people skip over, but we don'tdo surface level here.
In fact, I want to really talkabout how you are feeling.
You might actually start to feelemotionally overwhelmed.
I mean, you are at 27 weeks, youmight start feeling like
everything is happening toofast, and I'm just here to tell
(08:30):
you that's normal.
You're growing a human and youridentity is shifting.
That's a big deal.
So I want you to save space forthat.
Also, you might be feeling alittle lonely, even with people
around.
It is possible, especially if noone's checking in on you and how
you're feeling about this hugelife change.
(08:53):
So here's your permission.
Slip to talk about it.
Ask for support, and take careof your mental health.
Now, before postpartum hits likea ton of bricks, and let me just
say this, that may mean that itstarts to look like you setting
boundaries or perhaps evenpracticing saying no now, so
(09:15):
that it's easier later.
Also try journaling.
Journal how you want your birthand early motherhood to feel
this matters just as much aswhat's on your registry.
Alright, mama.
Now you've got the inside scoopon what's really going on at 27
weeks and what to do about it.
(09:36):
But listen, if you're watchingthis and thinking, I just don't
feel ready yet.
Well girl, that's totally okaybecause you don't have to figure
all of this out on your own.
That's exactly why I have thebump to bundle blueprint.
It's actually a complete course.
To help you prep for labor,birth and breastfeeding with
(10:00):
zero guesswork, big fat gooseegg, zero guesswork.
It's packed with real talk.
Practical videos andstep-by-step support to help you
walk into birth feelingconfident and know exactly what
to do.
Once baby is here, just clickthe link in the description to
(10:21):
join now and start learningbefore your baby arrives because
trust me, that knowledge is yoursuperpower.
And if you love this kind ofreal no fluff support, just hit
that subscribe button and checkout my next video.
I'll have it linked here.
Remember, you've got this mama,and I'm cheering you on every
(10:44):
step of the way.
I.
Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founderand CEO of Birth Prep Academy.
I'm on a mission to helppregnant moms prepare for their
first hospital birth.
I'm sharing revealingconversations about what it
really takes to successfullytransition into motherhood.
So join me.
Here to discover things likewhat to expect in childbirth,
(00:27):
how to prepare for your birth.
We'll also talk aboutbreastfeeding and so much more.
I'm so grateful to share it allwith you right here on Oh Baby,
the podcast created for pregnantmoms preparing for their first
hospital birth.
Let's get started.
Hey there, and welcome back tothe channel, or if you're brand
(00:50):
new here.
I'm Stephanie Poole, a certifieddoula and lactation consultant.
But more importantly, I helppregnant moms just like you feel
confident and ready to givebirth like a boss.
And I'm talking.
Even if it's your very firsttime.
Okay.
Now that we've gotten that outthe way, can we just pause for a
(01:11):
second and say, oh my goodness,you are 27 weeks pregnant.
Like what?
You are officially in the thirdtrimester, But also you're
probably thinking, what the heckis happening to my body right
now?
Because this is where things getreal.
And I'm talking real, real inthis episode.
(01:35):
I'm giving you the real talk.
On what's happening at 27 weeksfrom weird symptoms.
Yes, the itchy belly is a thing.
We're gonna get into it.
So sit tight to what's happeningwith your baby's brain to
exactly what you should be doingright now to get ready for labor
and breastfeeding because.
(01:57):
The countdown is on my friend,so make sure you watch to the
end, because I'm dropping mygo-to strategy to avoid that
wild newborn chaos and how youcan totally get ahead of the
game when the baby gets here.
So with that being said, let'sgo.
(02:17):
All right, let's talk aboutbaby.
At 27 weeks, your baby is around15 inches long and weighs about
two pounds, which is about thesize of a head of cauliflower or
a big bunch of bananas dependingon the app that you're using.
But here's what's reallyexciting.
(02:38):
Your baby's brain is goingthrough a serious glow up.
Right now.
We're talking billions ofneurons.
They're just firing off.
They're also learning how toregulate temperature and even
starting to dream during REMsleep.
So yeah, your baby's having aglow up, for sure.
(03:00):
Now, I know we talked about thisbefore, but in case you're new.
Did you know that research showsyour baby will start to
recognize your voice?
Now, I've gone over this partbefore, but it's so super
important.
I love to hit it as much as Ican, and that is that your baby
is starting to recognize yourvoice.
(03:21):
So if you've been talking orsinging, right, if you've done
your homework because I've givenit as homework in my previous
episodes, then your baby willlikely get to know your voice so
much so that they will know you.
Even after they're born, they'llbe able to recognize you and
your partner's voice that istalking so strongly to them.
(03:45):
Even now, this is a great timeto start bonding and, and doing
those things like talking to thebaby, playing music, rubbing
your belly.
It actually helps with earlyattachment and brain
development, which means it's awin win.
All right.
I'm off my soapbox about that.
Now let's talk about what'sgoing on with you Because this
(04:07):
week can feel like arollercoaster.
Let's break it down with somereal symptoms that you might be
feeling.
Okay.
Number one, brain fog.
you may be walking into a roomand forgetting why.
Well, that's not just you.
Pregnancy brain is real.
Estrogen and progesterone arechanging how your brain
(04:29):
processes info.
So just give yourself a littlegrace here.
All right.
Number two, heartburn.
Your baby's pushing everythingup, so if you're feeling like a
fire breathing dragon afterdinner, you are not alone, my
friend.
I want you to try smaller meals.
(04:49):
Avoid spicy food before bed, anddon't lie down right after
eating.
Give yourself time to reallydigest your food well.
okay, number three is bellyitching or dry skin.
Your belly is stretching likecrazy and your skin is trying to
keep up.
So I want you to lather on somecoconut oil or a good
(05:13):
fragrance-free belly butter thatwill really help your skin to
stay hydrated.
All right.
Number four is Braxton Hicks.
Now, Braxton Hicks, I've spokeabout this one previously as
well, but I wanna do a quickrecap just to let you know that
they are practice contractions.
(05:33):
And you may actually start tosee them starting to show up
from now until you actually givebirth.
they may look like you, yourbelly is getting tight, maybe a
little bit uncomfortable, but itshouldn't be painful.
And all of this is totallynormal.
Remember, if they get superregular or painful, then you
(05:58):
should definitely call yourprovider.
Now here's a pro tip.
Start tracking these whensymptoms start showing up.
Not only does it help you toprep for what's next, but it
gives your provider morecontext, if anything off.
Okay, now let's talk prep,because the biggest thing that I
(06:19):
hear from new moms is I wish Ihad known sooner what to expect
when giving birth.
So at 27 weeks, here's what Iwant you to start doing.
First up, I want you to startyour birth prep plan now.
Not the cute Pinterest version.
I mean, really leaning into whatactually happens during labor,
(06:43):
how to advocate for yourself andunderstanding what your body
will do.
That's exactly what I break downinside of Bump to Bundle
Blueprint, which I'll talk alittle bit more about in just a
little bit.
Alright, the next thing I wantyou to do is learn about
breastfeeding before your babygets here.
Waiting until your baby is.
(07:03):
Born to figure out breastfeedingis like waiting until a final
exam to open the textbook.
Your hormones will be on a wildpostpartum ride.
And trying to learn everythingin the moment can be
overwhelming.
In fact, there was a recentstudy that showed that women who
(07:24):
prepare for birth prenatally bygetting childbirth classes and
breastfeeding classes actuallyhave a better birth experience.
This is not just my opinion, itis evidence-based and research
backed.
So you definitely wanna learnabout breastfeeding.
before your baby gets here.
(07:46):
Alright, now step three is toprep your questions for your
next prenatal visit.
Ask about your provider's birthphilosophy.
What happens if you go past yourdue date and when they typically
recommend interventions, themore you ask now, the more
confident you'll feel, then,okay, this is the part most
(08:09):
people skip over, but we don'tdo surface level here.
In fact, I want to really talkabout how you are feeling.
You might actually start to feelemotionally overwhelmed.
I mean, you are at 27 weeks, youmight start feeling like
everything is happening toofast, and I'm just here to tell
(08:30):
you that's normal.
You're growing a human and youridentity is shifting.
That's a big deal.
So I want you to save space forthat.
Also, you might be feeling alittle lonely, even with people
around.
It is possible, especially if noone's checking in on you and how
you're feeling about this hugelife change.
(08:53):
So here's your permission.
Slip to talk about it.
Ask for support, and take careof your mental health.
Now, before postpartum hits likea ton of bricks, and let me just
say this, that may mean that itstarts to look like you setting
boundaries or perhaps evenpracticing saying no now, so
(09:15):
that it's easier later.
Also try journaling.
Journal how you want your birthand early motherhood to feel
this matters just as much aswhat's on your registry.
Alright, mama.
Now you've got the inside scoopon what's really going on at 27
weeks and what to do about it.
(09:36):
But listen, if you're watchingthis and thinking, I just don't
feel ready yet.
Well girl, that's totally okaybecause you don't have to figure
all of this out on your own.
That's exactly why I have thebump to bundle blueprint.
It's actually a complete course.
To help you prep for labor,birth and breastfeeding with
(10:00):
zero guesswork, big fat gooseegg, zero guesswork.
It's packed with real talk.
Practical videos andstep-by-step support to help you
walk into birth feelingconfident and know exactly what
to do.
Once baby is here, just clickthe link in the description to
(10:21):
join now and start learningbefore your baby arrives because
trust me, that knowledge is yoursuperpower.
And if you love this kind ofreal no fluff support, just hit
that subscribe button and checkout my next video.
I'll have it linked here.
Remember, you've got this mama,and I'm cheering you on every
(10:44):
step of the way.
I.
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