August 20, 2025 • 9 mins
EP 109:
Sis… you’ve officially hit week 34, and things are getting real. But what if I told you there’s a lot happening right now that your OB isn’t talking about?
In today’s episode, we’re diving into what’s going on in your body behind the scenes—like how your brain is being rewired to bond with baby, how your breast tissue is prepping for breastfeeding, and even how your gut health is impacting your baby’s future immune system. Yep… it’s that deep.
🎧 Listen in to learn:
- What your hormones are secretly doing to prep for labor
- The surprising science behind third trimester brain fog (and why it’s actually brilliant)
- How your baby’s lungs trigger your milk supply
- Why 34 weeks is the perfect time to mentally prepare for labor
- One trap most pregnant moms fall into—and how to avoid it
👉 Ready to prepare for birth and breastfeeding before baby comes?
Grab my Bump to Bundle Blueprint Course
and feel confident, calm, and actually ready.
🔗 Resources & Links:
- ✨ Grab the Bump to Bundle Blueprint here:
- 💛 Watch this episode on YouTube
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Birth hormones (oxytocin, relaxin, prostaglandins)
- Synaptic pruning in pregnancy
- Gut flora and baby’s microbiome
- Surfactant production and milk signaling
- Birth visualizations and neuroplastic prep
Let’s prep your mind and your body—because you deserve to go into birth fully informed and fully supported. 💛
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.
So you're 34 weeks pregnant andfeeling like a walking
(00:49):
watermelon, except instead ofrolling downhill, you are
somehow supposed to just glideinto motherhood like a glowing
goddess.
Yeah, not so much.
Let's talk about what's actuallyhappening right now that no one
really explains.
Like the sneaky signs that yourhormones are prepping for labor
(01:11):
behind the scenes, how yourbreast tissue is remodeling
already to support your milkflow why your brain is doing
something called pruning.
And a wild but importantconnection between your gut
bacteria and your baby's futureimmune system.
It's weird but crucial, andwe're gonna talk about it in
(01:33):
just a moment.
Trust me, by the end of thisvideo, you're gonna feel way
more ready for birth than youdid just 10 minutes ago.
Now with that being said, let'shop in.
Now let's start with yourhormones.
Estrogen and relaxin are nowsurging, but not just to make
you flexible or in some casesclumsy.
(01:56):
In fact, new studies show thataround 34 weeks relaxing softens
not just your joints, but alsoinfluences your cervical
remodeling and pelvic nervesensitivity.
Okay, so translation.
That just means that the weirdpelvic heaviness or pressure
that you're feeling is not justthe baby.
(02:17):
It's literally your bodyloosening and prepping the birth
canal.
Now, here's something extra toblow your mind, prostaglandin.
Right, which is the same hormonethat's used in medical
inductions.
Well, they are now naturallybeing produced by your body to
help thin and ripen your cervix.
(02:38):
So yes, your body alreadystarted the process without you
even realizing it.
Now here's a tip.
A 2020 study showed that walking30 minutes a day at this stage
can really help improve fetalposition and enhance natural
prostaglandin release, not powerwalking, just intentional
(03:00):
upright movement.
So definitely be sure to aim for30 minutes a day to really get
that benefit Now.
If you feel forgetful,overwhelmed, or just not like
yourself, I've got some goodnews for you.
You're not broken, baby.
You are just being rewired.
Neuroscientists have discoveredsomething pretty wild.
(03:24):
They've discovered that duringlate pregnancy, your brain
literally undergoes a processcalled synaptic pruning.
Remember I talked about pruningin the intro, right?
Well.
Okay, here's what it means.
It just simply means that it'strimming away mental clutter so
that you can focus better onemotional connection, facial
(03:46):
recognition, and infant cues inthe postpartum.
Your brain isn't getting worse.
It's getting smarter in a momway.
It's prioritizing your bondingover remembering where you put
the keys.
Okay.
Here's something that nobodyreally talks about at your OB
visit, but it's key to yourbaby's health.
(04:08):
At 34 weeks, your body'smicrobiome, especially in your
gut and vagina, is activelypreparing to seed your baby's
immune system during birth.
Emerging research shows that thebacteria that the baby is
exposed to during vaginaldelivery and breastfeeding
really helps to shape theirimmune system for years to come.
(04:32):
One study even found that babiesborn to moms with diverse,
balanced gut flora had lowerrisk of eczema, asthma, and even
allergies.
So here's a tip.
Talk to your provider about safeprobiotics.
Things that occur naturally infermented foods and iron levels.
(04:54):
Even right now, your gut healthin the next four to six weeks
is.
Looking to be very foundationalto baby's long-term immune
health, so it's worth having aconversation about.
Alright, now this is wherescience meets miracles.
Right around 34 weeks, yourbaby's lungs produce a protein
(05:17):
called surfactant.
Now this helps them to breatheafter birth, but get this when
this protein hits a certainlevel.
It actually sends a chemicalsignal to your placenta that
says, Hey, hey, we're ready.
That signal actually kicks off ahormone cascade that also tells
(05:37):
your breasts start ramping up.
We're gonna need milk soon.
That's why some moms suddenlyfeel fuller, heavier, or even
notice tingling in their breastsaround this week.
Colostrum production canactually increase and your body
begins preparing for the letdownreflex, even if you're not
consciously doing anything.
(05:58):
So here's a tip for that.
Gentle massages, not pumping ofthe breast, right?
Just gentle breast massages canactually help to increase
oxytocin, which supports thisnatural process, especially if
you're feeling disconnected toyour body.
Now again, I just wanna add tobe extra careful not to
(06:21):
overstimulate.
If you're high risk, youdefinitely wanna talk to your
doctor or provider before doingthis, but generally speaking, a
light hand massage, again, notpumping.
Pumping is too aggressive and wedon't wanna kick you into labor,
right?
We don't wanna do that.
We want baby to cook as long aspossible, so just a gentle
(06:42):
massage is all you need to helpincrease that oxytocin.
Okay, now I'm all about givingyou real strategies, not just
fluffy affirmations, but here'sa big truth.
Studies show that pregnant womenwho spend even just five minutes
daily visualizing a positivebirth labor experience are more
(07:04):
likely to feel in control duringbirth.
They're more likely to avoidunnecessary interventions and to
recover faster in postpartum.
It's called the NeuroplasticPrep.
You're literally training yourbrain to interpret labor as
powerful instead of terrifying.
(07:25):
So here's something I want youto try today.
Close your eyes and picture yourbody opening.
Picture your baby working withyou.
And use mantras like my bodyknows what to do or say
something like, each wave bringsmy baby closer.
(07:45):
And yes, I do walk you throughguided visualizations and
affirmations that you can use toreally optimize that
neuroplastic prep inside of mybump to bundle blueprint so that
you can see yourself being thepowerful mama that you already
are in your labor and birthstory.
(08:05):
all right, mama.
This is the part that gets real.
The biggest mistake that I seepregnant moms making is when
they think, well, I'll justfigure out birth and
breastfeeding once I'm closer tomy due date.
Uhuh Nosis.
At 34 weeks, you've got theperfect window to lock in your
(08:26):
birth preferences.
Learn how to protect your milksupply in the hospital and prep
your mind and body before thechaos hits because once baby is
here, you'll be too tired tolearn.
And you'll be in survival modeby then.
That's why I built the Bump Tobundle blueprint to kind of give
you everything you need nowbefore overwhelm kicks in.
(08:48):
So if you're 34 weeks pregnantand tired of piecing together
tiktoks and Google rabbit holes.
Come learn the real stuff withme inside of Bump Tob bundle
blueprint.
It walks you through birth,breastfeeding and postpartum
step by step in a judgment freeway and in a way that's actually
(09:09):
doable.
Plus there's some juicy bonusesincluded as well.
All right.
The link is in the description,so grab your spot today and drop
a comment telling me what's theweirdest part of 34 weeks for
you.
I wanna hear all of it.
Let's prep together.
I'll see you in the nextepisode.
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.
So you're 34 weeks pregnant andfeeling like a walking
(00:49):
watermelon, except instead ofrolling downhill, you are
somehow supposed to just glideinto motherhood like a glowing
goddess.
Yeah, not so much.
Let's talk about what's actuallyhappening right now that no one
really explains.
Like the sneaky signs that yourhormones are prepping for labor
(01:11):
behind the scenes, how yourbreast tissue is remodeling
already to support your milkflow why your brain is doing
something called pruning.
And a wild but importantconnection between your gut
bacteria and your baby's futureimmune system.
It's weird but crucial, andwe're gonna talk about it in
(01:33):
just a moment.
Trust me, by the end of thisvideo, you're gonna feel way
more ready for birth than youdid just 10 minutes ago.
Now with that being said, let'shop in.
Now let's start with yourhormones.
Estrogen and relaxin are nowsurging, but not just to make
you flexible or in some casesclumsy.
(01:56):
In fact, new studies show thataround 34 weeks relaxing softens
not just your joints, but alsoinfluences your cervical
remodeling and pelvic nervesensitivity.
Okay, so translation.
That just means that the weirdpelvic heaviness or pressure
that you're feeling is not justthe baby.
(02:17):
It's literally your bodyloosening and prepping the birth
canal.
Now, here's something extra toblow your mind, prostaglandin.
Right, which is the same hormonethat's used in medical
inductions.
Well, they are now naturallybeing produced by your body to
help thin and ripen your cervix.
(02:38):
So yes, your body alreadystarted the process without you
even realizing it.
Now here's a tip.
A 2020 study showed that walking30 minutes a day at this stage
can really help improve fetalposition and enhance natural
prostaglandin release, not powerwalking, just intentional
(03:00):
upright movement.
So definitely be sure to aim for30 minutes a day to really get
that benefit Now.
If you feel forgetful,overwhelmed, or just not like
yourself, I've got some goodnews for you.
You're not broken, baby.
You are just being rewired.
Neuroscientists have discoveredsomething pretty wild.
(03:24):
They've discovered that duringlate pregnancy, your brain
literally undergoes a processcalled synaptic pruning.
Remember I talked about pruningin the intro, right?
Well.
Okay, here's what it means.
It just simply means that it'strimming away mental clutter so
that you can focus better onemotional connection, facial
(03:46):
recognition, and infant cues inthe postpartum.
Your brain isn't getting worse.
It's getting smarter in a momway.
It's prioritizing your bondingover remembering where you put
the keys.
Okay.
Here's something that nobodyreally talks about at your OB
visit, but it's key to yourbaby's health.
(04:08):
At 34 weeks, your body'smicrobiome, especially in your
gut and vagina, is activelypreparing to seed your baby's
immune system during birth.
Emerging research shows that thebacteria that the baby is
exposed to during vaginaldelivery and breastfeeding
really helps to shape theirimmune system for years to come.
(04:32):
One study even found that babiesborn to moms with diverse,
balanced gut flora had lowerrisk of eczema, asthma, and even
allergies.
So here's a tip.
Talk to your provider about safeprobiotics.
Things that occur naturally infermented foods and iron levels.
(04:54):
Even right now, your gut healthin the next four to six weeks
is.
Looking to be very foundationalto baby's long-term immune
health, so it's worth having aconversation about.
Alright, now this is wherescience meets miracles.
Right around 34 weeks, yourbaby's lungs produce a protein
(05:17):
called surfactant.
Now this helps them to breatheafter birth, but get this when
this protein hits a certainlevel.
It actually sends a chemicalsignal to your placenta that
says, Hey, hey, we're ready.
That signal actually kicks off ahormone cascade that also tells
(05:37):
your breasts start ramping up.
We're gonna need milk soon.
That's why some moms suddenlyfeel fuller, heavier, or even
notice tingling in their breastsaround this week.
Colostrum production canactually increase and your body
begins preparing for the letdownreflex, even if you're not
consciously doing anything.
(05:58):
So here's a tip for that.
Gentle massages, not pumping ofthe breast, right?
Just gentle breast massages canactually help to increase
oxytocin, which supports thisnatural process, especially if
you're feeling disconnected toyour body.
Now again, I just wanna add tobe extra careful not to
(06:21):
overstimulate.
If you're high risk, youdefinitely wanna talk to your
doctor or provider before doingthis, but generally speaking, a
light hand massage, again, notpumping.
Pumping is too aggressive and wedon't wanna kick you into labor,
right?
We don't wanna do that.
We want baby to cook as long aspossible, so just a gentle
(06:42):
massage is all you need to helpincrease that oxytocin.
Okay, now I'm all about givingyou real strategies, not just
fluffy affirmations, but here'sa big truth.
Studies show that pregnant womenwho spend even just five minutes
daily visualizing a positivebirth labor experience are more
(07:04):
likely to feel in control duringbirth.
They're more likely to avoidunnecessary interventions and to
recover faster in postpartum.
It's called the NeuroplasticPrep.
You're literally training yourbrain to interpret labor as
powerful instead of terrifying.
(07:25):
So here's something I want youto try today.
Close your eyes and picture yourbody opening.
Picture your baby working withyou.
And use mantras like my bodyknows what to do or say
something like, each wave bringsmy baby closer.
(07:45):
And yes, I do walk you throughguided visualizations and
affirmations that you can use toreally optimize that
neuroplastic prep inside of mybump to bundle blueprint so that
you can see yourself being thepowerful mama that you already
are in your labor and birthstory.
(08:05):
all right, mama.
This is the part that gets real.
The biggest mistake that I seepregnant moms making is when
they think, well, I'll justfigure out birth and
breastfeeding once I'm closer tomy due date.
Uhuh Nosis.
At 34 weeks, you've got theperfect window to lock in your
(08:26):
birth preferences.
Learn how to protect your milksupply in the hospital and prep
your mind and body before thechaos hits because once baby is
here, you'll be too tired tolearn.
And you'll be in survival modeby then.
That's why I built the Bump Tobundle blueprint to kind of give
you everything you need nowbefore overwhelm kicks in.
(08:48):
So if you're 34 weeks pregnantand tired of piecing together
tiktoks and Google rabbit holes.
Come learn the real stuff withme inside of Bump Tob bundle
blueprint.
It walks you through birth,breastfeeding and postpartum
step by step in a judgment freeway and in a way that's actually
(09:09):
doable.
Plus there's some juicy bonusesincluded as well.
All right.
The link is in the description,so grab your spot today and drop
a comment telling me what's theweirdest part of 34 weeks for
you.
I wanna hear all of it.
Let's prep together.
I'll see you in the nextepisode.
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