Lisa Everett, RN

The second that test turns positive, everything shifts. Your hands shake a little. Your mind starts racing through a hundred what-ifs before you’ve even told anyone. 😳

I’ve sat with thousands of moms in that exact moment — and here’s what I always tell them first: you don’t have to know everything today. You just have to know what matters.

As a certified maternal-newborn nurse with 28+ years of experience, I’ve seen the same fears come up again and again. So let’s clear a few of them up together. 🩺

Here are 8 things worth stepping away from right now, mama:

1️⃣ Holding your p*e too long — it raises your UTI risk more than you’d think.

2️⃣ Skipping meals when nausea hits — small, frequent bites actually calm it down.

3️⃣ Lying flat on your back for long stretches — after the first trimester, this can compress major blood vessels.

4️⃣ Overdoing the caffeine — aim for under 200mg a day, about one small cup.

5️⃣ Reaching for retinol or salicylic acid skincare — set those aside for now.

6️⃣ Eating undercooked meat, eggs, or sushi — this one’s non-negotiable.

7️⃣ Brushing off spotting, sharp cramping, or less movement — always worth a call.

8️⃣ Lifting anything heavy alone — your joints are looser right now, so let someone help. 🫶

None of this means you’ve been doing it wrong. It just means nobody handed you the real list yet — until now. 🤍

Comment “MATTERS” and I’ll send you my free guide to what truly matters this pregnancy. 🤰✨

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as personalized medical advice.

No one really talks about how your body prepares for birth, leaving so many first-time moms feeling anxious and unprepared.

Your body doesn’t always give loud, obvious signs before labor begins.

Sometimes it whispers first.

With 28+ years of clinical experience as a maternal newborn nurse, I want to help you cut through the internet noise with real, calm guidance.

Here are 8 signs your body may present before going into labor:

✅ SIGN 1: A sudden emotional shift. Feeling unusually sensitive, reflective, or withdrawn. Many women describe an internal “turning inward” right before labor begins as you become calmer and more focused.

✅ SIGN 2: Loose stools or digestive changes. Your body naturally starts clearing itself out to make room for baby. It is not glamorous, but it is very real.

✅ SIGN 3: A noticeable drop in appetite or very specific cravings. Your body is quietly shifting its energy focus away from heavy digestion.

✅ SIGN 4: Increased vaginal pressure or “lightning crotch.” These are sharp, sudden nerve-like sensations that mean your baby is engaging deeper into your pelvis.

✅ SIGN 5: Changes in sleep patterns. Experiencing sudden, overwhelming exhaustion or waking up completely alert at odd hours.

✅ SIGN 6: Continuous lower or upper back ache. A constant, dull pressure that does not fully go away with position changes.

✅ SIGN 7: An unexpected sense of calm. A quiet, biological wave of acceptance and readiness that is deeply rooted in our genes.

✅ SIGN 8: A subtle feeling that “something is about to happen.” Hard to explain clinically, but many mothers look back and realize they just knew it was close.

Be patient with yourself, mama. Your body knows exactly what to do. 🤍

Save this post so you can reference it whenever you need it! ⬇️

▪ Follow for honest guidance through your pregnancy and motherhood journey. . . AND

▪ Comment “READY” below and I will send you the link to my digital Guide for Moms-to-Be, packed with calm, trustworthy tools to simplify your pregnancy! 🤰✨

The best birth prep has nothing to do with your birth plan. 🤍

I’ve been a Maternal Newborn nurse for 28 years.

I’ve supported thousands of women through labor and delivery.

And here’s what I’ve learned:

The moms who have the most positive birth experiences aren’t the ones with the longest birth plans.

They’re the ones who learned to trust themselves.

Because here’s the thing about birth plans…

They’re helpful. They’re important.

But they can also become a source of anxiety.

“What if my body doesn’t cooperate?”

“What if things don’t go according to plan?”

“What if I fail?”

And that’s the counterintuitive truth:

The best preparation isn’t about controlling everything.

It’s about trusting your body and staying flexible.

Your body was designed for this.

Your instincts are powerful.

And the “perfect” birth isn’t the one that goes exactly as planned—it’s the one where you feel supported, informed, and empowered.

So yes, make a birth plan.

Know your preferences.

Advocate for yourself.

But also?

Give yourself permission to let go of perfection.

Because the most important thing you can bring into that delivery room isn’t a perfect plan.

It’s trust in yourself. 🤍

If you’re pregnant and want to feel truly prepared (not just planned), I created something for you.

It’s called “5 Truths Every First-Time Mom Needs To Hear Before Baby Arrives” - and it will help you prepare your mind, not just your checklist.

Comment “PREPARED” and I’ll send it to you. 💫

You’re more ready than you think. 🤍

After 28 years as a maternal-newborn nurse, here’s what I watched new moms burn energy worrying about — that honestly didn’t need that much of it in those first 12 weeks:

1️⃣ Getting them on a strict nap schedule right away.
Newborn sleep is chaotic by design. Their circadian rhythm hasn’t developed yet, so short unpredictable naps aren’t a sign you’re doing something wrong — it’s just where they are developmentally.

2️⃣ Worrying your milk supply isn’t “enough” from day one.
Supply regulates over the first few weeks, not the first few days. Frequent feeding is what builds it — it’s not proof something’s failing.

3️⃣ Feeling like you have to entertain them every waking minute.
In the newborn stage, staring at your face, hearing your voice, and feeling held is the entertainment. You don’t need flashcards or a schedule of activities yet.

4️⃣ Panicking over baby acne, p*eling skin, or cradle cap.
These are common and temporary — leftover hormones and adjusting skin, not a reflection of your care.

5️⃣ Trying to teach “self-soothing” before they’re developmentally ready.
Newborns regulate through you first. That’s not a bad habit forming — that’s exactly how their nervous system is supposed to work right now.

6️⃣ Thinking a daily bath is necessary.
Two to three times a week is plenty for a newborn. Over-bathing can actually dry out their skin.

7️⃣ Worrying that a snug swaddle is too tight.
A proper swaddle should feel snug around the chest and loose at the hips — that’s not restrictive, that’s what mimics the womb and helps them settle.

The first 90 days aren’t about doing it perfectly. They’re about learning each other. Give yourself the same patience you’d give any first-time learner. ❤️

Comment VILLAGE and I’ll send you my FREE guide — 5 Things Every New Mom Needs to Hear (Especially in the First 90 Days).

Know a mom in her first 90 days? Tag her below. 👇