If you’re in the late third trimester, chances are you feel like you’re functioning on 90% emotion, 10% logic—and maybe that’s being generous. I could cry over pretty much anything right now. The combination of hormones, the impending reality of giving birth, and the anxiety of preparing for baby is a lot.
Third Trimester Emotions Are No Joke
It’s wild—when I first found out I was pregnant, I thought I knew what we were getting ourselves into. But honestly? It’s like my brain was in denial for most of the journey. And now, with my due date right around the corner, it’s all hitting at once.
If you’re anything like me and struggle with perfectionism, the final stretch of pregnancy can feel especially overwhelming. I want to know everything—how to do it all, and how to do it perfectly. But the truth? There are a million things I still don’t know.
For example:
- What’s the proper way to put baby in the car seat?
- Should I be sterilizing bottles and pacifiers before going to the hospital?
- When can you start combo feeding if you’re breastfeeding?
- When do you give baby their first bath?
And don’t even get me started on the internet opinions. We’ve done all the birth classes, read the books, watched the videos—and they all say something different. Everyone has a take, and they’re all confident their way is the right way. It’s maddening.
As a first-time mom and a perfectionist, I’m learning the hardest (but most important) lesson of all: I can’t control everything.
Letting Go in the Third Trimester
My brain wants to control what it can—packing the hospital bag, setting up the nursery, even choosing the perfect nursing sweatshirt. But obsessing over every little detail isn’t helping anymore. It’s draining me.
So here’s what I’m practicing:
Letting. Go.
I know it sounds simple, but it’s a daily, intentional practice. I’m reminding myself constantly: if it’s not life or death, it’s probably not worth spiraling over.
Something that really helps me stay grounded (and this might sound silly) is picturing women in the Stone Age. They didn’t have five types of pacifiers, sterilizers, or Pinterest-perfect nurseries. They had nothing but instinct and love—and they raised perfectly healthy babies. We are so lucky to have access to modern knowledge and tools, but we don’t need all the things to be good moms.
What our babies really need is us. That’s it. Love, warmth, and presence.
You’re Not Alone in the Chaos
If you’ve been walking the fine line between “I’ve got this” and “I’m coming unglued,” just know you’re not alone. So many of us feel this way in the final weeks. Hormones, fear of the unknown, pressure to “get it right”—it’s a perfect storm.
So when your brain starts spiraling, take a step back. Breathe. Focus on what makes you feel calm, grounded, and at peace.
And if you need a little extra support, I put together this blog post with 5 simple habits to feel more grounded—it’s full of small but mighty things that have helped me when I’m feeling overwhelmed.You got this, mama.
And if you ever forget that—you’ve got me reminding you. ❤️
Leave a Reply