In episode 29 of Oh Mama, we’ve officially made it past the 40 weeks pregnant mark! We’re here - actually, we’re four days over, and that’s what I want to talk about in today’s episode.

See, there’s a lot that comes both mentally and physically with hitting the official "40 week" mark. There’s big mindset shifts, there can be a lot of pressure from hospitals to try and “speed things up” and you can be starting to feel a little impatient as you wait for your little one to arrive.

And if you’re feeling any of that - you are totally not alone. I feel like the last few days have been a whirlwind of ups and downs, trying to ‘surrender’ and let go of expectations while also being wildly aware of every labour symptom that I feel might be the start of something. It’s a ride, let me tell you. So I want to share my experience honestly so that if you’re going through it, or getting close to your estimated due date, you hopefully feel a little less alone.

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• 40 weeks pregnant update
• Why your due date is actually just an estimation
• Mindset around hitting your "due date"
• How to feel less stressed about going into labor
• The importance of being informed around labour and birth
• Why evidence based research is CRITICAL through pregnancy and birth (including resources that have helped me)
• My experience at my 40 week antenatal appointment
• Pressure I felt around induction and how I navigated that as a first time mum
• Natural methods to try and start labour
• Things you can try to dilate naturally
• What you can do to naturally induce spontaneous labor

OH MAMA MANTRA: My baby is on their way to me in perfect timing

Connect on TikTok: @thisistayrae

Connect on Instagram: @thisistayrae

Follow the podcast on IG: @ohmamapod

Wanna be fancy and email? You got it: heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

*Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.

It’s episode 28 and can you believe I’m still pregnant? Wowee people. I didn’t know if we’d get another episode together before baby arrived, but we’ve done it! Officially 39 weeks pregnant (and four days!) and baby girl seems very cozy and content in there for now!

It’s been a beautiful, slow week, where I’ve just been enjoying the lead up to birth - ticking off a last few things like postpartum meal prep and collecting colostrum in the lead up to birth. That, and trying to get in as much rest as possible before labour kicks off - cause ya girl is TIRED. I know every day could be “the day” so we’re just enjoying it all as it comes and trusting that baby will make her way when she’s ready.

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• 39 weeks pregnant update
• Feeling tired in the third trimester
• Has my baby dropped?
• Colostrum harvesting and when to do it
• Why I’m collecting colostrum
• What’s helped me with colostrum collection
• Hand expressing colostrum vs using a pump or haaka
• Learning as we go and relying on support from others
• Why community is so important as a new mum

OH MAMA MANTRA: As a mum, I am doing my best, and my best is good enough.

Connect on TikTok: @thisistayrae

Connect on Instagram: @thisistayrae

Follow the podcast on IG: @ohmamapod

Wanna be fancy and email? You got it: heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

*Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.

Okay, so episode 27 has to be my favourite episode of Oh Mama to-date. Seriously, the emotional outpour was unexpected this week people, but it happened and honestly I’m so glad I was recording when it did. I guess the old pregnancy hormones are hitting hard this week!

We’re getting all kinds of deep together as we discuss how I’m feeling a mere couple of weeks (or days, who knows!) away from becoming a mother, and the emotions, excitement and overall identity shift that comes with that.

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• Update at 38 weeks pregnant
• How I’m preparing my postpartum meal prep
• Birth and labour affirmations I’m using daily to help keep a positive mindset
• How I’m feeling as I get ready to meet our daughter for the first time
• Why I know I need to rest and look after myself as much as possible before baby comes
• Using a TENS machine for the first time and why I wanted it for labour
• What my Mother’s Blessing Ceremony was like
• Why you might want to do a Blessingway instead of a baby shower
• Am I feeling Braxton Hicks at night or is it nothing?
• Things I didn’t know about pregnancy, like birthing the placenta!
• Waiting for contractions and why everything seems like the start of labour
• When I went on maternity leave and how it’s going so far
• Things I’m doing in the last few weeks before baby arrives
• Oxytocin release and things to help go into spontaneous labour

OH MAMA MANTRA: I can do anything for one minute

Connect on TikTok: @thisistayrae

Connect on Instagram: @thisistayrae & @ohmamapod

Wanna be fancy and email? You got it: heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

*Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.

In episode 26 of Oh Mama, I’m coming at ya from almost fully cooked! That’s right people, not long to go now! Being officially 36 weeks + 6 days when recording this, baby girl could make her debut in a few days, or hang out in there another month yet. Who knows, only time will tell!

Bumpdate wise for you, lots has been going on over the last couple of weeks. The nursery is coming together sooo nicely, pram is set up, cot is built, bassinet is up in our room, and all here gorgeous little clothes, socks, beanies and other baby things are washed, folded and patiently waiting her arrival.

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• My go-to recommendations for maternity clothes
• Swollen hands and feet in the third trimester
• Practicing perineal massage with my partner
• Packing my hospital bag (+ the best tip I’ve been given for how to pack)
• What I’ve done to prepare for baby’s arrival so far
• Why I hired a TENS machine to support me in labour
• What our hypnobirthing experience was like
• Why I decided a hypnobirthing course was right for me and my partner
• Is hypnobirthing all woo-woo? Or are there practical skills too?
• Things I’m leaning on for labour: breathing techniques, pain management, accupressure, affirmations, meditations, self hypnosis, light touch massage, anchor points
• How I’ve prepared to be informed with what we consent to in hospital
• Why I wrote a birth plan and how it’s helping me feel ready for labour and birth
• Birth plan vs birth preferences and what it means to me
• What can go in a birth plan: environment, communication, birthing positions, intervention preferences, emergency plans, golden hour

**OH MAMA MANTRA: “**Labour pain is healthy pain”

Connect on TikTok: @thisistayrae

Connect on Instagram: @thisistayrae & @ohmamapod

Wanna be fancy and email? You got it: heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

*Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.

In episode 25 of Oh Mama, we are coming in hot at 33 weeks pregnant. There’s been a real shift this week where I’m no longer nervous about taking time-off post baby, and instead am actually really looking forward to maternity leave and allowing myself to be fully immersed in that newborn bubble without guilt of needing to be “doing more”.

And while the postpartum phase is certainly on its way, there’s a BIG important piece we need to go through first: labour and delivery. That’s right - the birth of baby. And one of the things I’m doing to get ready for that is organising my hospital bag for labour.

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• Update at 33 weeks pregnant
• Similarities between the first and third trimester
• Nursery shopping and preparing for baby
• What I’m packing in my hospital bag for labour
• The four sections of your hospital bag prep: labour, mama, baby, other

OH MAMA MANTRA: “My body and my baby are working together”

Connect on TikTok: @thisistayrae

Connect on Instagram: @thisistayrae & @ohmamapod

Wanna be fancy and email? You got it: heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

*Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.

In episode 24 of Oh Mama, nesting mode is in full swing as we prepare for the arrival of our first baby. At 32 weeks pregnant, it really feels like this weird paradox where it’s like there’s still so much time, but also like no time at all until baby joins us (anyone else feel me?).

As your self-appointed pregnant BFF, I’m breaking down all the things I’m doing to get the nursery ready, and some of the prep I’ve done to get ready for labour, birth and postpartum. We chat about some of the things no one tells you about pregnancy, why baby shopping can be very overwhelming (and what I’m doing instead) and why nesting is legit a response to chemical changes going on in our pregnant bods (this blew my mind).

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• 32 weeks pregnant update (baby brain is a real thing, people)
• Strangers touching and commenting on the bump
• Transforming the office into the nursery
• How I’m feeling now I’m officially “very pregnant”
• How I’m organising things for the last bit of pregnancy into postpartum
• Things I’ve bought to prepare for baby
• Googling how many nappies does a newborn need in a day and other things I had no idea about until now
• Online shopping vs in store shopping for baby
• The one thing I wish I’d done differently to get ready for birth & baby
• Lightning crotch, extra discharge and other unspoken pregnancy things

OH MAMA MANTRA: “I am built for birth. My body and my baby know what to do.”

Connect on TikTok: @thisistayrae

Connect on Instagram: @thisistayrae & @ohmamapod

Wanna be fancy and email? You got it: heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

**Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.

In episode 23 of Oh Mama, we’re officially at 30 weeks pregnant! Wowee, things are definitely feeling very real as we head down the final ten weeks (if she stays in there the full time!) Nesting vibes are in full swing, baby brain is in full force, emotions have been a little all over the place and some of those delightful first trimester symptoms like reflux & exhaustion have started to appear yet again - yay.

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• Update at 30 weeks pregnant
• Why pregnant mums nest
• Preparing for labour and birth
• Pregnancy appointments
• What is the midwifery group practice (MGP)
• Hypnobirthing classes

OH MAMA MANTRA: I trust my body and I trust my baby

Instagram + TikTok: @thisistayrae

Instagram: @ohmamapod

Wanna be fancy and email? You got it: heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

**Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.

In episode 22 of Oh Mama, we’re chatting all about tight pelvic floors and how to prepare for labour and birth. I recently had a pelvic floor examination with my women’s health physio, and found out that I have a VERY tight pelvic floor, so now I’m on a mission to relax “down there” and get prepared for what will hopefully be a natural and uncomplicated delivery.

Okay mama, here’s all the things we’re talking about:

• 28 weeks pregnancy update
• What to do in the last trimester
• Third trimester checklist to prepare for baby
• How to prepare for labour and birth (what I’m doing)
• How I’m relaxing my pelvic floor
• Exercise restrictions in the third trimester
• Things starting to feel very real with only 12 weeks to go

OH MAMA MANTRA: “Open, relax, release”

I love to hear from you! DM me: 

TikTok: @thisistayrae

Instagram: @thisistayrae & @ohmamapod

Wanna be fancy and email? You got it: heyohmama@gmail.com. Love you!

**Please note: this podcast is not medical advice. Instead, think of it as having a pregnancy chats with your BFF, where we keep things wildly honest, and we share what we're really thinking and experiencing as we grow a tiny human. If an episode is helpful, amazing, but it's in no way here to tell you what to do or how to be/feel/act/think. Your experience is unique and perfect to you. No comparison necessary here, but we hope hearing the experiences we share makes you feel a little less alone in the moments when you might wonder if it's only you that's going through it. I promise you mama, it isn't. You're not alone, and we're in this together - one big mama squad.