Hey mama,
Even though I had taken courses, read everything I could, and talked to other mums, I still felt restless most days during the last stretch of my pregnancy.
I knew I was preparing for birth the best way I could — but my mind was always busy.
“Did I forget something?”
“What if labour starts earlier than expected?”
“Will I remember everything they taught me when it actually happens?”
No matter how much I learned, I still had days where I felt totally ungrounded.
And honestly? That’s normal.
One thing that helped me feel more calm — even in the middle of all that overthinking — was getting practical.
I started writing lists.
What to pack.
What to wash.
What to freeze for postpartum.
What music I might want in the hospital.
Every small detail helped me feel a little more steady.
But the real turning point was preparing my hospital bag.
Folding those little clothes. Picking a blanket. Adding a charger and snacks. It made everything feel real, but also manageable.
Like, “Okay. I’m ready — or at least, I’m close enough.”
I used the Baby Ollie “CarryNest” Travel Duffel Bag as my hospital bag — and I loved that it was lightweight, roomy, and actually fit everything without turning into a black hole.
Plus, it felt nice knowing I’d keep using it later for weekends away or visits to Nan’s.
No frills — just a bag that did the job, and looked good doing it.
If you’re in that phase of waiting, feeling a bit restless and unsure — maybe try writing it out. Start your hospital bag. Do the small things.
They’re not just tasks… they’re your way of telling your body and your mind:
“I’m doing this. I’ve got this.”
You don’t have to feel 100% ready.
You just need a few things that help you feel a little more grounded, one day at a time.
With love,
Renata (Ollie’s mum)
💛