Ep. 421: 3rd Trimester Update Solocast with HeHe Stewart

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, makers of luxuriously soft bamboo sheets, blankets, and sleep essentials. Because your rest matters, mamas. Cozy Earth makes it easier to get the cozy, breathable sleep your body (and your little one) deserve. Use code HEHE at https://cozyearth.com/ for 20% off your order and treat yourself to the sleep you’ve been dreaming of.   In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe shares her personal journey through the final weeks of her pregnancy. As she eagerly anticipates the arrival of her baby, she details her physical and emotional experiences, including her decisions on newborn resuscitation training, gestational diabetes testing, and preparation for labor. HeHe discusses the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy, counting kicks for fetal monitoring, and the importance of having a supportive birth team. Follow along as she provides insights into staying active, managing pregnancy symptoms, and preparing for the big day.   00:00 Introduction and Podcast Welcome 01:05 Pregnancy Reflections and Preparations 05:27 Third Trimester Experiences 09:35 Gestational Diabetes Testing 11:38 Baby Gear and Nursery Planning 28:22 Unexpected Pregnancy Symptoms 33:45 Final Preparations and Reflections 41:11 Conclusion and Farewell SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience — all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Want prep delivered straight to your phone?Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy The Secret Sauce to Pushing course gives you step-by-step guidance on how to push effectively — whether you have an epidural or not — so you can reduce tearing, labor faster, and feel in control from start to finish. HeHe teaches which muscles to engage, how to position your body, and the techniques that actually work, giving you the confidence and tools to achieve your best birth possible. Learn more: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/SSP LINKS MENTIONED: Check out our episode on pushing her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZrzPyJLu50   Check out our episode on Gestational Diabetes here: https://youtu.be/rgRyNfOOgKU?si=DjdOM21A_yqhw0lr    Listen to our episode about counting kicks here: https://youtu.be/0nBT2FxZJfA?si=prnyGCdjwzXUZXfc   Listen to our episode about choosing a stroller with Hip Baby Gear: https://youtu.be/ljVnpZwhKlk?si=eTiU16-XHlzVnvMy Check out Dr.