Here's what I've been doing in my third trimester, including working out, supplements, postpartum prep and my midwives protocol the last few weeks of pregnancy to help with an easier labor.

I can't believe I'm in the final stretch of my second pregnancy. Things are definitely getting real. Overall I've still been feeling good.

Working out 

I'm not working out like I was in my second trimester as I just don't have the energy and strength. There are so many benefits for staying active during pregnancy so I'm doing my best, but definitely listening to my body and only doing what feels good.

At this point (38 weeks) I'm mostly just walking and doing prenatal yoga from the Peloton app every day I feel up to it, which has been at least 5 days a week. Yoga is a must for me, even if it's just 10 minutes. I wake up so sore in my hips and lower back and this helps me SO much.

Midwives Protocol

I want this baby to come exactly when he wants to come so I'm doing all the remedies to avoid induction. I was induced with Ro and I don't want to do that again. The midwives I've been working with have a protocol that helps baby come on time. I want to say again I'm not giving medical advice. I'm just sharing what I'm doing.

They had me start this protocol around 35-36 weeks. One of the things is to drink red raspberry leaf tea, but I actually started that in my second trimester as I've researched it being safe and very beneficial to have a faster labor on time!

At 36 weeks I started taking evening primrose oil. I take one by mouth and two vaginally at night. According to American Family Physician, evening primrose oil can help soften the cervix which will help labor start on time. It's also shown to help shorten labor time.

My midwives also recommend taking this Gentle Birth Tincture. This tincture contains natural herbs that are supposed to help have an easier, shorter and more comfortable labor and delivery. I take it according to the directions on the package. My midwives told me they've seen a lot of success with this especially to help women to give birth by 42 weeks.

Postpartum Prep

I'm getting all the things ready for the 4th trimester and postpartum recovery. Since this is my second go around at postpartum I know the things that I need this time… I had no idea I'd basically be wearing a diaper myself the first time I had a baby.

I've made a bunch of “padcicles” with these organic pads. I pour witch hazel on them and then place them in a bowl and freeze them. I put them in a bowl because it gives them that curve shape to help them easily fit in panties.

Witch Hazel is a plant that contains all kinds of healing benefits. It's shown to help with things like bleeding, itching, tearing, swelling.

You can also use witch hazel in a sitz bath, which is another one of my must haves especially if you have tearing. I use this herbal sitz bath mixture that helps with natural pain relief and healing.

I also highly recommend this Peri Bottle which helps so much during the first couple of weeks after delivery when going to the bathroom!

That's all for now. The next post I'll be sharing will be my birth story!

To see more of my pregnancy journey you can check out these posts. I also share a lot on my Instagram stories and have saved a lot of this journey in my pregnancy highlights on my Instagram profile.