I’ve reached the final month of my pregnancy and have slowed down a lot. Between contractions, cramps, waddling, naps and deliberate rest, I’m doing as much relaxing as possible before our baby arrives. I also packed my hospital bag and I’m sharing what’s inside.
For more pregnancy updates, see my earlier recaps: first trimester recap, weeks 13–20, weeks 20–24, second trimester recap, weeks 28–32, weeks 32–35 (preterm contractions and false labor), our babymoon and my prenatal supplement routine. All recommendations are based on personal experience. I know pregnancy posts can be triggering for some, so this is simply a recap of my experience in case it helps someone else.
I can’t believe this will be my final pregnancy update. The past eight months have flown by. Before we told family and friends, time seemed like it would drag, but now everything has moved so quickly. For Mother’s Day my husband made a photo album of the pregnancy journey and I absolutely cried — it was the sweetest gift and a vivid reminder of how fast this season passes.
The photos below are each spaced nearly ten weeks apart and the progression is incredible.
I’m officially in the final countdown and could go into labor at any moment. After experiencing contractions for many weeks, I kept expecting this baby to arrive early. Now that I’m approaching 38 weeks, anything can happen — sometimes you go early, and sometimes you make it to full term. At my last ultrasound, around 37 weeks, the baby was estimated at about 7 pounds, 4 ounces. Ultrasound estimates are not exact, but it was a surprise to see that size so soon. Babies can gain a lot in the last weeks of pregnancy, so anything is possible if I carry to 40 weeks.
How I’m Feeling – Physically
The last month of pregnancy feels intense. For anyone working full-time while pregnant, I admire your stamina — I wrapped up one-on-one client work a few weeks ago because I was running out of energy. My workdays have become gentler: I’m planning recipes for the summer, preparing content for after maternity leave, and trying to work ahead. I’m usually last-minute, so this pace feels unusual but welcome.
Lately I’ve been taking more half days, naps and occasional days off when my body needs it. Listening to my body has become a priority. The past two weeks brought stronger Braxton Hicks contractions and more cramping than before, which felt new and made me think labor might be starting. Several of those moments turned out to be false alarms — contractions that didn’t progress. At a nearly 37-week checkup I was surprised to find no dilation yet, so I’ll see how things go this week.
How I’m Feeling – Mentally
Along with the physical changes, the mental side has been significant. The uncertainty of labor day and delivery is the hardest part for me right now. As someone who likes to plan and control many details, not knowing when labor will start and what the experience will be like has been challenging. Any new sensation or contraction prompts me to ask, “Is this it?”
I’m working on a simple mantra: surrender to what you cannot control. I can plan certain things, but I can’t control timing, pain or whether interventions become necessary. For this reason, our birth plan is intentionally simple: prioritize a safe, as smooth as possible delivery. I expect I may want an epidural and that’s okay. Beyond that, I’m intentionally keeping expectations flexible because birth seldom follows a strict script.
Hearing others’ stories about labor, coping with uncertainty, or strategies for staying calm has been comforting — if you have insights, I’m always open to hearing them.
My Hospital Bag
There are countless suggestions about what to pack for the hospital, so I kept my list focused on essentials. I’ll update this after the birth to note what I actually used.
- Toiletries for me: toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, body wash and any medications, including prenatal vitamins
- Lavender essential oil for relaxation
- Towels and flip-flops
- Nursing pajama set and robe (many first-time moms end up wearing the hospital gown, but I packed a set just in case)
- Nursing bras and reusable nursing pads
- Peri bottle for postpartum care
- Chargers, phone and tablet
- A sturdy insulated water bottle to stay hydrated
- Easy-to-eat snacks for after labor: energy bars, crackers, nut or seed butters and light savory snacks
- Sweets like hard candy or lollipops for early labor if helpful
- Comfortable sweatpants, a loose T‑shirt and a simple outfit to come home in
- Diaper balm for the baby and belly oil or moisturizer for me
- Coming-home outfit for the baby, washed and ready (my mom offered to help with this)
We live a short drive from the hospital, so my partner can quickly retrieve anything we forget. That makes packing a little less stressful.
What We’ve Done Lately to Prepare
- Installed blackout curtains in the nursery and finalized the nursery setup
- Moved and arranged furniture to make the space functional
- Washed bassinet sheets, swaddles and a few newborn garments
- Revisited our name choices to make sure we still love them
- Enjoyed extra date nights together
- Prioritized sleep and rest while possible
- Indulged in nightly banana “ice cream” and felt no guilt about it
Now it’s almost go time—any day now. We’re excited and a little nervous to meet the newest member of our family. Any guesses: girl or boy? XO