September 5, 2025 • 13 mins
EP 111:
You made it, bestie—you’re 36 weeks pregnant! 🎉 The finish line is in sight, but let’s be real… these last few weeks can feel like a rollercoaster on turbo speed. From tight hips and weird dreams to knowing when contractions are “just practice” and when it’s go-time—this episode spills it all.
In this week’s guide, I’ll walk you through:
✔️ What’s really happening in your body at 36 weeks
✔️ Surprising hacks to survive the final month without losing your mind
✔️ How to prep for labor (mentally and physically) so you feel confident walking into the big day
✔️ Breastfeeding prep you can start before baby arrives
PLUS: a bonus tip most OBs don’t even mention that can actually make labor smoother. 👏
👉 Grab my Bump To Bundle Blueprint course to get the exact tools, tips, and step-by-step guidance for labor, birth, and breastfeeding prep. It’s like having a doula, lactation consultant, and best friend in your pocket.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
- Get the Bump To Bundle Blueprint
- How NOT To Tear During Birth
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel for new weekly episodes
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 are 36 weeks pregnant.
(00:48):
Oh my goodness.
Congratulations mama.
You are officially in the homestretch, but let me tell you,
this last month can actuallyfeel like a whole roller coaster
on Fast Forward.
And here's the thing, nobodyreally tells you what it's
actually like right now, likehow to manage your super tight
(01:11):
pelvis, what those crazy dreamsmight mean, or how to prep your
body for labor without stressingyourself out.
Stick with me because by the endof this video you are gonna know
the real signs.
Your body is gearing up forlabor and what's normal versus
when to call your provider.
(01:32):
We're gonna talk about littleknown hacks to survive the last
four weeks without losing yourmind.
And how to prep forbreastfeeding before your baby
even arrives so that you don'tpanic later.
Oh, and I've got a bonus tipthat most OBEs never mention,
and it's a total game changerfor making your labor smoother,
(01:54):
so you're not gonna wanna missthis one.
Now.
With that being said, let's hopright in.
Let's start by talking aboutwhat's happening in your body
right now.
At 36 weeks, your baby ispractically ready to make their
debut.
They're about 18 to 19 incheslong and way around six pounds.
(02:16):
Basically something like a smallwatermelon.
Your pelvis is looser thanks toa hormone called relaxin, which
is prepping your joints andligaments for labor.
This is why you might bewaddling a little or feeling
that extra achy sensation inyour hips and lower back.
Now let's talk about somethingthat I've mentioned before,
(02:39):
which is the Braxton Hickscontractions, and you're gonna
hear me talk about it over thenext few weeks because we are in
the home stretch.
So you're gonna likely see themstarting to creep in if you
haven't already.
In fact, they're probablyshowing up more frequently.
So remember, these are practicecontractions, not the real deal,
(03:03):
but they do help your uterus getready for labor.
Now, here's a pro tip.
If these contractions startfeeling regular, painful, and
intense, or if you notice yourwater breaking, don't wait.
Call your provider immediately.
Timing.
These contractions can save youstress later.
(03:23):
And by the way, I have acontraction timer, PDF, that is
free to download.
I'll leave it linked in thedescription box below, so be
sure to check that out.
Now coming up next, I'm going toshow you three things that your
doctor might not mention thatcan actually speed up your labor
naturally.
(03:43):
And one thing you should nevertry on your own.
Stay tuned for tip three becauseit's a total game changer.
All right.
Now, before we jump into all ofthat, goodness, let's start by
just talking about somepractical hacks for these last
few weeks.
First up is the pelvic floorprep.
(04:07):
Now you might be wondering whatis that?
I'm so glad you asked.
It is things like gentlestretches, squats and perineal
massage.
And here's a spoiler alert.
I do have a mini course thatwill be dropping.
Very soon.
If you want exclusive access atan exclusive price, you
(04:30):
definitely wanna check thedescription below to learn more.
All right.
Now this pelvic floor prep isreally important because as I
mentioned before, it can reallyhelp to reduce tearing and also
making your pushing a loteasier.
So definitely you want to get inon, preparing your pelvic floor.
(04:53):
The next thing I wanna cover isenergy management.
This is not the time tomarathon.
Clean your house.
Focus on just short bursts ofactivities like walking or light
prenatal stretches to keep yourcirculation up without overdoing
it.
Now let's move quickly tosleeping tips.
(05:16):
Using pillows to prop betweenyour knees or under your belly
can really help reduce thatsciatic nerve pain that can kick
up in these last few weeks asyou are carrying around a little
bit more weight because of thebaby growing at such a rapid
pace, using pillow.
To prop up during this timereally helps your sleep to be
(05:39):
more tolerable, even if you'restill waking up every two to
three hours.
So definitely keep that in mind.
Okay, so you guys know that Ilove to include fun facts about
pregnancy and birth and all thethings, right?
So check this out.
Studies show that women whopractice those gentle prenatal
(06:00):
stretches that I mentionedbefore and the perineal prep,
they actually report less laborpain and fewer tears.
So.
I'm not just telling yousomething to give you something
to do to as busy work.
No.
These things are evidence-basedand have been found to improve
the labor and birth experience,so keep that in mind.
(06:24):
All right.
Now let's talk about a fewsymptoms that I want you to
watch out for.
And I want to kind of cover whatyou could potentially be seeing
and what you should reach out toyour doctor for.
So you could potentially seelight spotting, or you could
have some pelvic pressure oreven some increased discharge.
(06:48):
All of that is usually normal atthis stage, right?
There is a possibility that youcould see some of those things,
however.
If you see a sudden gush offluid, if you notice any heavy
bleeding or severe pain, I wantyou to reach out to your doctor
(07:10):
asap.
Now, let me also say, if younotice anything that feels off
to you that we didn't talk abouthere, or maybe we talked about
it, right?
Maybe you're feeling that pelvicpressure and although it is
something that.
Women notice at this stage, ifanything about that pelvic
(07:31):
pressure feels off to you, Iwant you to reach out to your
provider.
Mama, that is what they arethere for, and they can help to
assess where you are based onyour medical history, and I
always prefer with my ownclients to err on the side of
(07:52):
caution.
I am very cautionary when itcomes to my one-on-one in-person
clients.
I, I, I don't like to try andstretch it with them.
I like for them, all of us, tobe on the same page and for mom
and baby to be well.
And sometimes that meansreaching out to your provider
for things that just.
(08:12):
Feel a little off, so don'thesitate on calling your
provider if anything feels offto you or if you notice any of
those symptoms that I'vementioned previously.
All right.
Now, I promised a tip that obsrarely mention.
Later in the video, I'm going toreveal a simple five minute
(08:33):
daily routine that can actuallyhelp your baby get into the best
position for birth.
And trust me, you'll wanna startthis today if you haven't
already.
Now, before we dive into all ofthat, let's talk about preparing
your mind and body for labor.
There's a few different waysthat you can actually do this.
(08:53):
First up is visualization andbreathing.
Spend 10 minutes a day imaginingyour ideal birth.
Use deep, slow breathing torelax your muscles and calm your
mind.
Also, now is a good time to packyour hospital bag, which spoiler
(09:14):
alert, there's a free PDF in thedescription box.
Y'all is stuffed.
Just packed full down there.
So don't skip the descriptionbox.
Be sure to check it below.
All right, so pack your hospitalbag and you want to finalize
your birth plan as well.
I mean, at 36 weeks it's.
(09:34):
Pretty much go time.
Go time can be anytime,actually.
So make sure that your bag ispacked, snacks included, and
your birth preferences arewritten down.
Even if things don't go exactlyas planned.
Having a plan reduces anxiety,so it's worth putting some
(09:55):
things on paper or.
In your notes app, right?
All right, now let's talk aboutthat baby position.
In order to encourage an optimalfetal position, you can try
sitting on your birthing ball,opening up your pelvis really
allows your baby to come downand get into the optimal
(10:18):
position.
Also, lean forward over somepillows or the birthing ball,
and also do gentle hip circles.
Actually, there's evidence thatshows that babies in an anterior
position, which means chin tochest facing your spine, often
have shorter labor and fewerinterventions.
(10:42):
So if we can get baby into thatoptimal fetal position, then you
are positioning yourself for asmoother birth.
Now if you think that.
This is it.
Hold up.
You know me.
I like to bring the heat, soI've got a bonus hack at the end
of this video that's gonna beperfect for first time moms who
(11:05):
is terrified of breastfeedingbecause yes, you can start
before your baby.
Even arrives.
Now, with that being said, let'stalk about how you can really
start preparing forbreastfeeding.
So one of the first things thatyou can do to start prepping for
your breastfeeding journey is tosimply harvest colostrum.
(11:28):
You can gently express yourcolostrum if your provider
approves.
It's a small but powerful way toget your body ready.
The next thing that you can dois a little nipple prep, and
that simply means justmoisturizing and gentle
massages, which can reducenipple soreness in the first few
(11:50):
days.
The next thing is for you to domindset prep.
The more you know ahead of time,the less stressed you'll be.
So take a peek at some of thebreastfeeding positions, some
latch techniques and commonnewborn behaviors before your
baby comes.
So here's a quick recap.
(12:11):
Your body is almost ready.
Your baby is in home stretch,and a few small hacks like
gentle stretching, positioning,and mental prep can actually
make a huge difference.
If you want a full step-by-stepguide for these last four weeks
covering labor, birth, andpostpartum, I've got you covered
(12:34):
with Bump To Bundle Blueprint.
It's like having a doula, andcheerleader in your pocket.
Click the link below to check itout and you can start practicing
all of these hacks today so thatyou're confident.
Calm and ready when baby decidesit's time.
And don't forget to commentbelow.
What's your biggest worry at 36weeks?
(12:57):
I read every comment and I lovechatting with you.
So go ahead and drop it below sowe can have a quick chat.
All right, I'll see you in thenext video.
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.
So you are 36 weeks pregnant.
(00:48):
Oh my goodness.
Congratulations mama.
You are officially in the homestretch, but let me tell you,
this last month can actuallyfeel like a whole roller coaster
on Fast Forward.
And here's the thing, nobodyreally tells you what it's
actually like right now, likehow to manage your super tight
(01:11):
pelvis, what those crazy dreamsmight mean, or how to prep your
body for labor without stressingyourself out.
Stick with me because by the endof this video you are gonna know
the real signs.
Your body is gearing up forlabor and what's normal versus
when to call your provider.
(01:32):
We're gonna talk about littleknown hacks to survive the last
four weeks without losing yourmind.
And how to prep forbreastfeeding before your baby
even arrives so that you don'tpanic later.
Oh, and I've got a bonus tipthat most OBEs never mention,
and it's a total game changerfor making your labor smoother,
(01:54):
so you're not gonna wanna missthis one.
Now.
With that being said, let's hopright in.
Let's start by talking aboutwhat's happening in your body
right now.
At 36 weeks, your baby ispractically ready to make their
debut.
They're about 18 to 19 incheslong and way around six pounds.
(02:16):
Basically something like a smallwatermelon.
Your pelvis is looser thanks toa hormone called relaxin, which
is prepping your joints andligaments for labor.
This is why you might bewaddling a little or feeling
that extra achy sensation inyour hips and lower back.
Now let's talk about somethingthat I've mentioned before,
(02:39):
which is the Braxton Hickscontractions, and you're gonna
hear me talk about it over thenext few weeks because we are in
the home stretch.
So you're gonna likely see themstarting to creep in if you
haven't already.
In fact, they're probablyshowing up more frequently.
So remember, these are practicecontractions, not the real deal,
(03:03):
but they do help your uterus getready for labor.
Now, here's a pro tip.
If these contractions startfeeling regular, painful, and
intense, or if you notice yourwater breaking, don't wait.
Call your provider immediately.
Timing.
These contractions can save youstress later.
(03:23):
And by the way, I have acontraction timer, PDF, that is
free to download.
I'll leave it linked in thedescription box below, so be
sure to check that out.
Now coming up next, I'm going toshow you three things that your
doctor might not mention thatcan actually speed up your labor
naturally.
(03:43):
And one thing you should nevertry on your own.
Stay tuned for tip three becauseit's a total game changer.
All right.
Now, before we jump into all ofthat, goodness, let's start by
just talking about somepractical hacks for these last
few weeks.
First up is the pelvic floorprep.
(04:07):
Now you might be wondering whatis that?
I'm so glad you asked.
It is things like gentlestretches, squats and perineal
massage.
And here's a spoiler alert.
I do have a mini course thatwill be dropping.
Very soon.
If you want exclusive access atan exclusive price, you
(04:30):
definitely wanna check thedescription below to learn more.
All right.
Now this pelvic floor prep isreally important because as I
mentioned before, it can reallyhelp to reduce tearing and also
making your pushing a loteasier.
So definitely you want to get inon, preparing your pelvic floor.
(04:53):
The next thing I wanna cover isenergy management.
This is not the time tomarathon.
Clean your house.
Focus on just short bursts ofactivities like walking or light
prenatal stretches to keep yourcirculation up without overdoing
it.
Now let's move quickly tosleeping tips.
(05:16):
Using pillows to prop betweenyour knees or under your belly
can really help reduce thatsciatic nerve pain that can kick
up in these last few weeks asyou are carrying around a little
bit more weight because of thebaby growing at such a rapid
pace, using pillow.
To prop up during this timereally helps your sleep to be
(05:39):
more tolerable, even if you'restill waking up every two to
three hours.
So definitely keep that in mind.
Okay, so you guys know that Ilove to include fun facts about
pregnancy and birth and all thethings, right?
So check this out.
Studies show that women whopractice those gentle prenatal
(06:00):
stretches that I mentionedbefore and the perineal prep,
they actually report less laborpain and fewer tears.
So.
I'm not just telling yousomething to give you something
to do to as busy work.
No.
These things are evidence-basedand have been found to improve
the labor and birth experience,so keep that in mind.
(06:24):
All right.
Now let's talk about a fewsymptoms that I want you to
watch out for.
And I want to kind of cover whatyou could potentially be seeing
and what you should reach out toyour doctor for.
So you could potentially seelight spotting, or you could
have some pelvic pressure oreven some increased discharge.
(06:48):
All of that is usually normal atthis stage, right?
There is a possibility that youcould see some of those things,
however.
If you see a sudden gush offluid, if you notice any heavy
bleeding or severe pain, I wantyou to reach out to your doctor
(07:10):
asap.
Now, let me also say, if younotice anything that feels off
to you that we didn't talk abouthere, or maybe we talked about
it, right?
Maybe you're feeling that pelvicpressure and although it is
something that.
Women notice at this stage, ifanything about that pelvic
(07:31):
pressure feels off to you, Iwant you to reach out to your
provider.
Mama, that is what they arethere for, and they can help to
assess where you are based onyour medical history, and I
always prefer with my ownclients to err on the side of
(07:52):
caution.
I am very cautionary when itcomes to my one-on-one in-person
clients.
I, I, I don't like to try andstretch it with them.
I like for them, all of us, tobe on the same page and for mom
and baby to be well.
And sometimes that meansreaching out to your provider
for things that just.
(08:12):
Feel a little off, so don'thesitate on calling your
provider if anything feels offto you or if you notice any of
those symptoms that I'vementioned previously.
All right.
Now, I promised a tip that obsrarely mention.
Later in the video, I'm going toreveal a simple five minute
(08:33):
daily routine that can actuallyhelp your baby get into the best
position for birth.
And trust me, you'll wanna startthis today if you haven't
already.
Now, before we dive into all ofthat, let's talk about preparing
your mind and body for labor.
There's a few different waysthat you can actually do this.
(08:53):
First up is visualization andbreathing.
Spend 10 minutes a day imaginingyour ideal birth.
Use deep, slow breathing torelax your muscles and calm your
mind.
Also, now is a good time to packyour hospital bag, which spoiler
(09:14):
alert, there's a free PDF in thedescription box.
Y'all is stuffed.
Just packed full down there.
So don't skip the descriptionbox.
Be sure to check it below.
All right, so pack your hospitalbag and you want to finalize
your birth plan as well.
I mean, at 36 weeks it's.
(09:34):
Pretty much go time.
Go time can be anytime,actually.
So make sure that your bag ispacked, snacks included, and
your birth preferences arewritten down.
Even if things don't go exactlyas planned.
Having a plan reduces anxiety,so it's worth putting some
(09:55):
things on paper or.
In your notes app, right?
All right, now let's talk aboutthat baby position.
In order to encourage an optimalfetal position, you can try
sitting on your birthing ball,opening up your pelvis really
allows your baby to come downand get into the optimal
(10:18):
position.
Also, lean forward over somepillows or the birthing ball,
and also do gentle hip circles.
Actually, there's evidence thatshows that babies in an anterior
position, which means chin tochest facing your spine, often
have shorter labor and fewerinterventions.
(10:42):
So if we can get baby into thatoptimal fetal position, then you
are positioning yourself for asmoother birth.
Now if you think that.
This is it.
Hold up.
You know me.
I like to bring the heat, soI've got a bonus hack at the end
of this video that's gonna beperfect for first time moms who
(11:05):
is terrified of breastfeedingbecause yes, you can start
before your baby.
Even arrives.
Now, with that being said, let'stalk about how you can really
start preparing forbreastfeeding.
So one of the first things thatyou can do to start prepping for
your breastfeeding journey is tosimply harvest colostrum.
(11:28):
You can gently express yourcolostrum if your provider
approves.
It's a small but powerful way toget your body ready.
The next thing that you can dois a little nipple prep, and
that simply means justmoisturizing and gentle
massages, which can reducenipple soreness in the first few
(11:50):
days.
The next thing is for you to domindset prep.
The more you know ahead of time,the less stressed you'll be.
So take a peek at some of thebreastfeeding positions, some
latch techniques and commonnewborn behaviors before your
baby comes.
So here's a quick recap.
(12:11):
Your body is almost ready.
Your baby is in home stretch,and a few small hacks like
gentle stretching, positioning,and mental prep can actually
make a huge difference.
If you want a full step-by-stepguide for these last four weeks
covering labor, birth, andpostpartum, I've got you covered
(12:34):
with Bump To Bundle Blueprint.
It's like having a doula, andcheerleader in your pocket.
Click the link below to check itout and you can start practicing
all of these hacks today so thatyou're confident.
Calm and ready when baby decidesit's time.
And don't forget to commentbelow.
What's your biggest worry at 36weeks?
(12:57):
I read every comment and I lovechatting with you.
So go ahead and drop it below sowe can have a quick chat.
All right, I'll see you in thenext video.
I.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The Charlie Kirk Show
Charlie is America's hardest working grassroots activist who has your inside scoop on the biggest news of the day and what's really going on behind the headlines. The founder of Turning Point USA and one of social media's most engaged personalities, Charlie is on the front lines of America’s culture war, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of students on over 3,500 college and high school campuses across the country, bringing you your daily dose of clarity in a sea of chaos all from his signature no-holds-barred, unapologetically conservative, freedom-loving point of view. You can also watch Charlie Kirk on Salem News Channel