In this episode of True Birth, we explore late preterm birth which are deliveries that occur between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, and why this window matters more than it is often given credit for. Late preterm babies are frequently described as "almost term," yet that framing can obscure the very real physiologic differences that exist in these final weeks of gestation.

We begin by defining what late preterm birth actually means and why it occupies a unique clinical and emotional space. Babies born in this window often look mature and strong, which can make it easy to underestimate the developmental work still happening in the brain, lungs, feeding reflexes, and metabolic systems during the final weeks of pregnancy.

From there, we talk about why late preterm births happen. This includes spontaneous preterm labor, preterm rupture of membranes, and medically indicated deliveries due to maternal or fetal conditions. We discuss how these decisions are made, the balance between continuing a pregnancy and intervening for safety, and why timing can be one of the most nuanced clinical judgments in obstetrics.

A central part of this episode focuses on outcomes, not to create fear, but to offer clarity. We discuss the most common challenges late preterm babies may face, including feeding difficulties, temperature instability, low blood sugar, jaundice, and breathing issues. We also talk about how these risks compare to earlier preterm births and why many late preterm babies do very well with appropriate monitoring and support.

We then shift to the postpartum experience for families. Late preterm birth often comes with unexpected separations, longer hospital stays, or feeding plans that look different than anticipated. We explore the emotional impact of this liminal space when a baby is not critically premature, but not quite ready in the way parents expected and how families can be supported through that adjustment.

Throughout the conversation, we emphasize the importance of preparation and communication. Understanding the possibility of late preterm birth, even in otherwise healthy pregnancies, can help families feel more grounded if plans change. We also discuss how care teams can better frame expectations, provide anticipatory guidance, and avoid minimizing the experience simply because a baby is "close to term."

This episode is about honoring the complexity of late preterm birth: medically, emotionally, and developmentally and recognizing that those last weeks of pregnancy matter, even when outcomes are ultimately positive.

For more episodes and resources, visit truebirthpodcast.com and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Got something you want to share or ask?
Keep it coming. We love hearing from you. Email us or send a voice memo, and you might just hear it on the next episode.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe—your questions could be featured in our next episode.

For additional resources and information, be sure to visit our website at Maternal Resources:
https://www.maternalresources.org/

You can also connect with us on our social channels to stay up-to-date with the latest news, episodes, and community engagement:

• YouTube: youtube.com/maternalresources

• Instagram: @maternalresources

• Facebook: facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

• TikTok: NatureBack Doc on TikTok

Grab Our Book: The NatureBack Method for Birth—your guide to an empowered pregnancy and delivery.
Shop now at naturebackbook.myshopify.com

In this episode of True Birth, we take a closer look at pelvic rest in pregnancy, what it actually means, when it is medically indicated, and when it may be unnecessarily prescribed. Pelvic rest is one of the most commonly given recommendations in pregnancy, yet it is often poorly explained and widely misunderstood. This conversation is about bringing clarity, nuance, and context to a topic that can feel confusing and anxiety-provoking for many families.

We begin by unpacking what providers typically mean when they recommend pelvic rest. For many people, the phrase immediately triggers fears of strict limitations or complete inactivity. We explain what pelvic rest usually involves, what it does not, and why the language itself can create more stress than clarity when it is not carefully defined.

From there, we discuss the situations in which pelvic rest is clinically appropriate. This includes conditions such as placenta previa, certain cervical changes, unexplained bleeding, or the presence of a cerclage. We explore the reasoning behind these recommendations and how pelvic rest is used as a precaution in specific, higher-risk scenarios to reduce cervical or placental irritation.

Just as importantly, we talk about when pelvic rest is not routinely necessary. In uncomplicated pregnancies with normal placental placement and no concerning symptoms, pelvic rest has not been shown to improve outcomes. We address how pelvic rest has often been carried forward out of habit rather than evidence, and why many people are advised to restrict sexual activity or vaginal contact without a clear medical reason.

This episode also explores the emotional and relational impact of pelvic rest. Recommendations around intimacy can affect connection, body image, and a person's sense of normalcy during pregnancy. We discuss how couples can navigate these changes with communication and flexibility, and why understanding the "why" behind a recommendation matters just as much as the recommendation itself.

Throughout the conversation, we emphasize the importance of individualized care. Pelvic rest is not a one-size-fits-all prescription, and pregnant people deserve clear explanations, shared decision-making, and the ability to ask questions about risks, benefits, and alternatives.

This episode is an invitation to move away from blanket restrictions and toward thoughtful, evidence-informed guidance, care that respects both physiology and the lived experience of pregnancy.

For more episodes and resources, visit truebirthpodcast.com and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Got something you want to share or ask?
Keep it coming. We love hearing from you. Email us or send a voice memo, and you might just hear it on the next episode.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe—your questions could be featured in our next episode.

For additional resources and information, be sure to visit our website at Maternal Resources:
https://www.maternalresources.org/

You can also connect with us on our social channels to stay up-to-date with the latest news, episodes, and community engagement:

• YouTube: youtube.com/maternalresources

• Instagram: @maternalresources

• Facebook: facebook.com/IntegrativeOB

• TikTok: NatureBack Doc on TikTok

Grab Our Book: The NatureBack Method for Birth—your guide to an empowered pregnancy and delivery.
Shop now at naturebackbook.myshopify.com

In this episode of True Birth, we share more birth stories. As always, stories are honest, nuanced, and deeply human. Some are empowering, some are complicated, some are unexpected, and all of them are real.

Birth is often spoken about in extremes. Perfect or traumatic. Natural or medical. Success or failure. But lived experience is far more layered than that. These stories remind us that birth unfolds within bodies, families, systems, and moments we can't always predict and that meaning is often found in how supported, informed, and heard someone feels along the way.

If you are pregnant, postpartum, planning a future birth, or simply holding space for others, this episode is a reminder that your story matters too. There is wisdom in sharing it and healing in being heard.

We want to hear from you.
Have a birth story, a question, or something you're still processing? Send us an email or a voice memo. Your message may be featured in an upcoming episode.

If this episode resonated, please like, comment, and subscribe. Your engagement helps us continue these conversations and bring more voices into the space.

For additional resources, education, and support, visit our website at Maternal Resources:
https://www.maternalresources.org/

You can also connect with us across our social channels:
YouTube: youtube.com/maternalresources
Instagram: @maternalresources
Facebook: facebook.com/IntegrativeOB
TikTok: NatureBack Doc

And if you want to go deeper, explore The NatureBack Method for Birth, our guide to an informed, empowered pregnancy and delivery:

naturebackbook.myshopify.com