Between checkups, packing my hospital bag, and finishing last-minute errands — I felt something deeper start to shift. I was about to be born as a mother. My body was getting ready, but so was my heart.

For me, preparing for birth wasn’t just about logistics — it was emotional. It was about reflection, grounding, and transition. These simple personal rituals helped me pause between who I was and who I was becoming.

A Letter to Myself

I wrote a letter to myself — as if I were talking to a close friend who’s about to go through something big.
I asked:

• What do I want to remember when contractions begin?
• What would give me strength in a hard moment?
• What has this pregnancy already taught me?

I tried to write words of courage, kindness, and trust — even if I didn’t fully believe them at the time. I tucked that letter into my birth bag. I ended up reading it, and it helped.

Saying Goodbye to Pregnancy

Especially as a first-time mom, pregnancy became its own