Third Trimester Checklist: 10 Faith-Filled Steps for a Peaceful Birth
Hey mama! If you're carrying around what feels like a watermelon these days and finding yourself googling "is this normal?" at 2 AM, this post is exactly what you need. Those final weeks of pregnancy bring such a mix of emotions—excitement to meet your baby and anxiety about all the preparations. Today, I'm sharing 10 faith-filled steps to help you prepare both practically and spiritually, because you've got this—not in your own strength, but because God's got you.
🎧 Listen to the Episode
The Heart Behind Your Third Trimester Preparations
When I reached the third trimester with both my pregnancies, I felt this interesting mix of emotions. In one sense, I was SO happy to be so close to meeting my baby—counting down the weeks, maybe even the days. But I also felt anxious and overwhelmed at times, wondering what last-minute things I still needed to take care of.
Maybe you're feeling that same tension right now?
Here's what I want to challenge and encourage you with today: There's a temptation to muscle through these preparations, letting stress and anxiety creep in with each item on your to-do list. Instead, let's invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and mind as you navigate this last trimester.
1. Preparing for Breastfeeding: Building Your Foundation
The third trimester is a great time to lay the groundwork for breastfeeding success—and I mean that both practically and spiritually.
If you haven't already, I'd encourage you to listen to Episode 20 where I walk through breastfeeding basics and what to expect in those early days. I also teach breastfeeding foundations inside my Faith Over Fear Online Childbirth Education course.
Something I didn't know until after I became a doula: some lactation consultants will actually meet with you before the baby is born. I wish I'd known this! A prenatal consult can relieve so much stress and help you feel equipped rather than scrambling in those tender first days postpartum.
Your action step (yes, pause and do this now!):
Find a lactation consultant you trust (ask friends/family or post in local mom groups)
Ask if they offer virtual or in-home visits
Check what your insurance covers (you might be pleasantly surprised!)
Having this support ready to go makes such a difference. It's like having a friend on speed dial who actually knows what they're talking about when you're sitting there at 3 AM wondering if what you're experiencing is normal.
2. Cervical Ripening Methods: Stewarding Your Body with Wisdom
Let's talk about something that often gets overlooked but can make a real difference: cervical ripening.
Cervical ripening is simply your cervix softening, thinning, and preparing to open—it's your body doing exactly what God designed it to do. When your cervix is more favorable (what providers call a "ripe cervix"), labor tends to start more spontaneously and unfold more smoothly.
I personally followed the cervical ripening methods protocol with both my pregnancies, and both times my cervix was very favorable—soft, thin, and already dilated 3-4cm—before labor even began. Now, this doesn't guarantee any specific outcome, but it's a beautiful way to steward your body with the wisdom God has given us.
For a deep dive into these methods, check out Episode 3. You'll also find a free Cervical Ripening Methods handout in the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library.
3. Finish or Refresh Your Childbirth Education
Let's have a heart-to-heart about childbirth education. If you've already started a class, now's the time to finish it. If you haven't started yet—it's not too late! I've had mamas join my class at 38 weeks and still feel so grateful they did.
My Faith Over Fear Online Childbirth Education course is about four hours of instruction—short enough to complete in a weekend, but thorough enough to give you a solid foundation.
When I teach this class, the number one word moms and dads use to describe how they feel afterward is "empowered." But here's the thing—it's not because I'm some amazing teacher. It's because the Lord is invited into every part of the teaching.
Take a moment right now and ask yourself: Do I feel equipped both practically and spiritually for my birth? If the answer is no, or even "I'm not sure," then investing in education now will serve you well. And if you're signed up for the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library, you'll find a special discount code for my online class!
4. Finalize Your Birth Support Team
Your birth team matters deeply—these are the people who will surround you in one of the most vulnerable and powerful moments of your life. This is the time to finalize who will be supporting you.
I had a mama reach out to me around 38 weeks, wondering if it was "too late" to hire a doula. We connected, she signed her contract, and just a few hours later… her water broke! Talk about God's perfect timing. So no, it's never too late to get the support you need.
If you're curious about virtual doula support, listen to Episode 26 where I explain exactly what this looks like. It's been such a beautiful way to support more families while empowering partners to step confidently into their support role.
Here's what needs to happen in these final weeks:
Review your birth preferences with your partner
Share them with your provider at your next appointment
Talk through what early labor at home looks like
Clarify everyone's roles—who's doing what?
Discuss postpartum support (yes, think beyond the birth!)
Ready to explore working together? Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call with me—I'd love to connect and see how I can support you!
5. Make Padsicles for Postpartum Recovery
Okay, let's talk about something super practical that your immediate postpartum self will thank you for: padsicles.
I know it might seem strange to be making frozen pads while you're still pregnant, but trust me—these can feel like absolute heaven in those first 24–48 hours after birth. They help with swelling, tenderness, and overall comfort when sitting feels like an Olympic sport.
You don't need to go overboard here. Make 8–10, and that should be perfect. I've created a detailed step-by-step padsicles tutorial on my blog that walks you through the entire process—it only takes about 15 minutes!
6. Practice Labor Positions & Build Muscle Memory
Here's something I wish every mama understood: labor positions and comfort measures work best when they feel familiar. You wouldn't run a marathon without training, right? Same principle here.
Inside the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library, you'll find my Labor Positions Cheat Sheet. But don't just download it and forget about it—actually practice these positions with your partner!
I remember practicing squats and lunges with my husband, feeling a bit silly at first. But when I was in labor and he confidently suggested different positions and knew exactly how to support me? That practice paid off big time.
Tools to have on hand:
A birth ball (check my Instagram post about finding the right size for your height!)
A peanut ball (or rolled blankets work too)
A yoga block (or small step stool)
A bolster or firm pillows
Spend even just 10 minutes this week going through different positions together. Your body will remember what to do when the time comes.
7. Refresh on Signs of Labor (Without Obsessing)
As we get closer to the end, it's natural to analyze every twinge, every cramp, every unusual feeling. "Is this it? Is labor starting?"
It's helpful to review the signs of labor—you'll find a clear guide in the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library—but here's my gentle warning: don't obsess. I learned this the hard way. I spent so much mental energy analyzing every sensation that those final weeks felt like they dragged on forever.
Instead, when you notice something, acknowledge it ("Okay, I'm feeling some cramping"), take a deep breath, and remind yourself: "God's timing is perfect. My body and baby know what to do."
8. Pack Your Hospital Bag with Intention
Let's approach packing your birth bag with intention rather than stress. You'll find a complete Hospital Bag Packing List in the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library, but here's what I always emphasize:
Pack good snacks! Labor is hard work, and you need quality fuel:
Honey sticks for quick energy
Coconut water or electrolyte drinks (I love LMNT!)
Protein bars
Dried fruit and nuts
Keep it simple. Pack what brings you comfort and peace.
9. Prep Postpartum Meals
I know meal prep might feel like the last thing on your mind, but hear me out. Even just a few freezer meals will feel like a miracle that first week home.
You don't need to become a meal prep expert:
Double a recipe you're already making and freeze half
Buy pre-made freezer meals from the store
Accept help when people offer to bring food!
I've written an entire blog post about postpartum meal prep with simple ideas and tips to make this easy on yourself.
10. Simple Finishing Touches
A few quick but important tasks:
Wash baby's 0-3 month clothes only (I made the mistake of washing everything with my first—you really don't need to!)
Install the car seat (many fire departments check installations for free)
Confirm your pediatrician (and if it matters to you, ask about their vaccine policy)
These little things might seem minor, but checking them off brings peace of mind.
📖 Scripture to Anchor Your Heart
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
– Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Friend, sit with that for a moment. Perfect peace doesn't come from having every item checked off your list. It doesn't come from having the nursery Pinterest-perfect or knowing exactly how your labor will unfold.
Perfect peace comes from fixing your mind on the One who is completely trustworthy.
🙏 A Prayer for Your Birth Journey
Father God, I lift up the precious mama reading this today.
In these final weeks, when her body feels heavy and her mind races with preparations, be her peace. When she wakes at night unable to get comfortable, remind her that You neither slumber nor sleep—that You're watching over her and her baby every moment.
Give her confidence in the body You've designed for this work. Give her clarity in her decisions without the weight of perfection. Give her a calm mind that trusts in Your sovereignty over every detail.
Help her prepare well in the areas You've given her influence, but more importantly, help her rest in the areas that belong to You alone.
We don't trust in our preparations, Lord. We don't trust in our plans. We trust in You—the Author of life, the Sustainer of all things, our ever-present help.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
The Serenity Prayer for Birth
Before we close, I want to share the Serenity Prayer with a special application for birth:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
In this third trimester:
Serenity for the parts of labor you can't control
Courage to prepare in the ways He's given you influence
Wisdom to tell the difference—and to trust Him deeply with the rest
📎Resources & Links Mentioned
✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more
✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course
📞 Free 15-Minute Discovery Call: Schedule your no-obligation consultation with me today! I would LOVE to connect with you.
🟣 Birth Ball Height - Discover the correct ball size for you height and weight
📚 Episode 3 – Deep dive into Cervical Ripening Methods
🤱 Episode 20 – Breastfeeding basics and what to expect
💻 Episode 26 – All about virtual doula support
❄️ Padsicles Blog Post – Step-by-step instructions for postpartum comfort
🍲 Meal Prep Blog Post - Learn how to easily make some nourishing meals for the postpartum time
🧂 LMNT - My favorite clean electrolyte drink for pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period
📣 Let’s Stay Connected
If this episode encouraged you:
Hit subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Text a friend and share the show with a fellow mama.
Grab your free birth prep tools at the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library.
Meet Your Host —
Natalie is a certified birth doula and childbirth educator in Jacksonville, FL. She's trained through DONA International, certified as a Body Ready Method Pro, and an advanced VBAC doula. Through Faith Over Fear Birth, she equips Christian women to experience peaceful, faith-filled births through both virtual and in-person support.
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📄 Full Episode Transcript
Hey friend, welcome back to Faith Over Fear, the Christian Pregnancy and Birth Podcast. If you are in your third trimester right now, you might be feeling like you are carrying a watermelon, googling "is this normal?" at 2:00 AM, and wondering if you will ever feel ready for what's ahead. I remember at the end of both my pregnancies feeling this mix of emotions.
In one sense, I was so happy to be so close to meeting my baby, counting down the weeks, maybe even the days. But I also felt very anxious and overwhelmed at times, wondering what last-minute things I still needed to take care of. And you might really be relating to this right now.
So today we're continuing our trimester series with part three: your third trimester checklist. But here's what I want you to know right from the start. This is not about doing everything in your own strength. I know that there's such a temptation to muscle through these preparations, and then you let stress and anxiety creep in with each item on your to-do list. But instead, I want to challenge and encourage you to invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and mind as you navigate this last trimester because, friend, you've got this because God's got you.
So the first thing on our checklist is preparing for breastfeeding. The third trimester is a great time to start laying the groundwork for breastfeeding success, and I mean that both practically and spiritually. So speaking of foundations, if you haven't yet listened to this episode, go back to episode 20 where I walk through the basics of breastfeeding and what to expect in those early days.
I also teach breastfeeding basics inside my Faith Over Fear Online childbirth education course. So if you are taking that course, you are already building that solid foundation. Something that I didn't know until after I became a doula is that some lactation consultants will actually meet with you before your baby is born, and I wish I'd known this because a prenatal consult can relieve so much stress and anxiety because they'll help you feel equipped before you get into those tender first days where there can just be a lot of challenges and missed expectations.
So here's an action step. Find a lactation consultant that you trust. Say you don't have family or friends' recommendations, you can even go on like Facebook mom groups, local mom groups, and ask for recommendations for lactation consultants. If you're in the Jacksonville, Florida area, if you go to my website, this is for like local Jacksonville moms, but it's belovedbirthandbeyond.com. Go to the resources page. There I have a list of our recommendations for lactation consultants in our area.
And then something else that's cool to know is that some lactation consultants now offer virtual or even sometimes in-home visits. So that's something else to explore based on what your family's needs are, what your budget is for that, what your insurance covers, which that's something else to look into. Is going to your insurance and seeing what is covered. You might be pleasantly surprised how much coverage there could be for lactation consultant visits.
So having the support ready to go really does make such a difference. It's like having a friend that you just know you can talk to when you inevitably encounter some sort of breastfeeding challenges. I also like to let my birth doula clients know that I am available for them to help them navigate that breastfeeding journey. I've personally breastfed my two babies, hopefully three upcoming, and I've also had professional training as a doula and a childbirth educator. So something else to keep in mind.
Number two on our list is cervical ripening methods. And so this is something that I have spoken to in depth on episode three of this podcast. And so cervical ripening, basically what that means is it is helping your cervix become more soft, thin and start to open. And so this is just helping your cervix become more favorable is what we call it, or ripe, so that labor can start more spontaneously and unfold more smoothly.
I personally did a lot of these cervical ripening methods with both of my pregnancies and my cervix at the start of labor was very favorable, very soft, thin, and I was already dilated three to four centimeters before labor even began. And of course, this is not a guarantee of any sort of specific outcome with your labor. It is a beautiful way to steward your body with the wisdom God has given us. So again, go back to episode three. If you want to listen to all of those steps including how to access the handout for all of those methods inside the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library, which you can sign up at faithoverfearbirth.com. I'll also have the link for all of that in the show notes. And that's totally free. It's a totally free resource.
Number three on the checklist is finishing or refreshing your childbirth education. So if you have not already started a childbirth education class, now is the time to start one, or go ahead and wrap it up. It is not too late in the third trimester to do childbirth education. I've had mamas join my class at 38 weeks, and they are so thankful that they did.
My Faith Over Fear Online Childbirth education course is about four hours of instruction. Just short enough to be completed in a weekend, but also thorough enough to give you a really good foundation so you feel prepared. When I teach this class in person, which is the same content, the number one word that moms and dads come away with is they feel so empowered. And that feedback is just, it means the world to me because that is my hope and my prayer is that you come away from that experience feeling excited and empowered for all that the Lord has in store for your birth instead of feeling like there is endless knowledge to know, and I cannot possibly know it.
I don't attribute this feedback as oh, I'm such a great instructor. I'm such a great teacher, but that it is because the Lord is invited into every aspect of what I'm teaching. That I feel that is what makes it so powerful. So inside the class you'll learn practical things like the stages of labor, comfort measures, the ins and outs, pros and cons of medical procedures. But more importantly, you're gonna be building a spiritual foundation that actually matters when you're in the thick of labor. Because knowing how to breathe, of course, is important, but knowing how to lean into the Lord and his strength. That's going to really carry you through this journey ahead.
So take a moment and ask yourself, do I feel equipped both practically and spiritually for my upcoming birth? And if the answer is no, or maybe, then definitely look into investing into some form of childbirth education, even if that's not with me. I just want you to have a good foundation of education. And if you're signed up for the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library, I have a special discount code in there that you can apply at checkout for my online class. My goal when I made this course was that this information would be more accessible to more people, but also digestible. Like just the content amount is not overwhelming. But then also affordable. So that is my goal with offering the online childbirth education course.
Number four, finalizing your birth support. So your birth team matters so much more than you can possibly realize. These are the people who will surround you in one of the most vulnerable and powerful moments of your life. So I want you to take the time to really finalize who will be supporting you.
One time I had a mama reach out to me at, I think she was like 38 weeks, and she was like, is it too late to hire you? And I was like, oh no, absolutely not. That day, she signed my contract, paid the deposit, and then literally a few hours later her water broke. And we were like laughing about it, like I ended up meeting her at the hospital right after she signed with me. That's the beauty of just trusting in the Lord. And the way that he works is that if you are still pregnant, you still have the opportunity to get the support that you need.
So if you are at all curious about doula support with me, virtual doula support with me, I have an episode dedicated to what virtual support looks like with me specifically. And that's episode 26. If you're interested in exploring that option. And that really has been such a beautiful way that I've seen the Lord allow me to support more families and then also to allow Dad to really step up in the calling that he feels is his, right? As a husband and as a father to come in and love and support mama. So even ask your husband like, "Hey honey, would you want to be more involved in the labor and birth experience? And if so, there's this virtual doula option where Natalie will walk you through how to support me, when to support me, all the things." And it's just a beautiful way to invite your husband into this journey in a way that maybe hasn't really been on your radar. So check out that episode. I think it's really helpful for you and for just the whole birth experience in general.
Number five is make some padsicles for postpartum recovery. So this is something that is obviously very practical and your immediate postpartum self will absolutely thank you. I made these padsicles for both of my postpartum recovery times, and they are incredible. So it might sound a little bit strange to be making frozen pads while you're still pregnant, but trust me, they are just absolutely amazing.
And so having padsicles, which basically involves taking witch hazel, I add essential oils to mine, squirting that on a big pad, and then putting a little bit of aloe, wrapping them back up, putting them in the freezer, and then using those in the immediate postpartum time. The first 24 to 48 hours after you've given birth, every time you use the bathroom, you swap out a new padsicle. The properties inside the witch hazel and the aloe and the essential oils are gonna help not only soothe swelling and just discomfort, but also help with healing the perineum and the vaginal area. Very simple to make. Very cheap to make. And if you're interested in making those yourself, which I highly recommend because it's so simple to do, I have an entire blog post where I went through it step by step. How to make those yourself takes 10, 15 minutes to make, very simple to do.
Number six is practice labor positions and comfort measures. So here's something I wish every mama understood, that labor positions and comfort measures work best when they feel familiar. So you wouldn't go and just run a marathon without training. Like same principle when it comes to preparing for labor and birth.
So inside the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library, I do have a handout called the Labor Positions Cheat Sheet. And I don't want you to just download it and then forget that it ever exists. I want you to actually practice these positions and the key here being that you practice these with your partner or your birth team.
So I remember practicing squats and lunges and we had the TENS unit and all these things with my husband, and it felt a little silly. We're practicing for something that is not really happening right now. But when I was actually in labor, we both felt more confident actually doing the different positions and that practice really paid off.
So here are some tools that I recommend you have on hand when you take out the labor positions cheat sheet. So have a birth ball, which I will link to a post that I made on Instagram on finding the right size ball for your height and weight. A peanut ball, or if you don't have a peanut ball, 'cause obviously most people don't. I do because I'm a doula. But most people don't. So like having some rolled up blankets or pillows, those work as well. Having a yoga block or even like a step stool, if you have a little step stool that works as well. Or if you have stairs in your home, that works great too. And then having a bolster or firm pillows, that's gonna be helpful for some of the positions that we go over in that guide.
But even if you spend 10 minutes this week going over a few of those positions at a time, your body will remember when it comes time to actually doing them. And like I said, your partner's going to feel so much more confident supporting you. Clients of mine, we go over these different labor positions in like our virtual meetings so that we can have that practice round and you can ask me any questions or I can make some critique of like, "Hey, try moving your hips a little bit more this way, or your leg this way a little bit more." So that is again, just super helpful.
Number seven, refresh yourself on the signs of labor. So as you get closer to the end, I know it is very natural to start like analyzing every sensation, every twinge, cramp, unusual feeling, and you're like, "Oh, is this labor?" And it is helpful to review the signs of labor just so that you do have a clear guide of what to maybe expect. This is also a free guide inside the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library, but I really want you to not obsess over these signs.
And I learned that the hard way. I spent so much mental energy and physical energy analyzing all of the sensations that I felt in those final weeks. With both of my pregnancies, I had a lot of like warmup labor, a lot of labor signs, and so it just became really exhausting. Have a sense of, okay, I'm seeing these signs. I'm noticing these signs and I'm seeing them on this little handout, but I'm not going to obsess. I'm just going to see this as, okay, my body is gearing up for labor. I'm excited for that. I have no expectation, or I'm not going to try to analyze when labor will actually begin. You're just gonna spin your wheels out doing that. So trust yourself. Trust your body and trust the Lord more than anything else. But really just trust that He will begin this labor in his perfect timing, and that it's not up to you to make anything happen.
Number eight, pack your hospital bag with intention. And so whether you plan to give birth at a hospital or a birth center, or even a home birth, you may want to consider having like your go bag, your birth bag packed and ready to go just in case. Especially if you're in like the home birth category. But instead of stressing about having the perfect bag packed and just having everything that you need perfectly ready to go, I want you to not obsess again over all of the details, but take a peek at the hospital bag packing list inside my Christian Mama Birth Prep Library.
I cover a lot of the essential things without going overboard because I don't think that you need to have a trillion outfits for baby. It's just not helpful. But just having a good range of things that will be helpful. And because I did have a hospital birth with my first, I feel like that has also helped me curate what I'm putting in that checklist.
One thing I always like to emphasize is packing really good snacks. Labor is hard work and you really need quality fuel to get you through that. And for your partner, your birth team as well. So think of easy to eat items that are not going to upset your stomach. Some things for you to include or maybe things like honey sticks or like little honey packets. Coconut water or another electrolyte drink. My favorite is of course, LMNT. And so I can put the link for LMNT in the show notes. Protein bars, things like dried fruits or dried nuts. Those are all things that are portable, but also are providing you good nourishment and energy for the labor and birth.
Some hospitals do have, or even birth centers have refrigerators, and so ask about that ahead of time. Do you have the ability to bring some perishable things and put it in a refrigerator? That can also be helpful. You can pack like full blown meals and things like that.
Number nine is preparing your postpartum meals. And I know that meal prep can feel like, especially if it's not been on your mind throughout the pregnancy, but it can feel like it sneaks up on you. But even just a few freezer meals are going to go such a long way when you are home with your baby.
A couple things that I like to recommend is just double a favorite recipe. My favorite go-tos are things that I make in the crockpot. Things like chili or beef stew or like a really hearty soup. Those are so easy to double. And then you just automatically freeze half of it, and then you have a whole other meal for down the road. Just make sure you're labeling the date so that you're not keeping it in there for like a year or something.
The other thing you can do is just buy really great quality freezer meals from the store. Or you can even accept help from people that are asking you like, "Hey, how can we help you prepare for baby?" and just send some recipes to family or friends and just say, "Hey, would you mind preparing this meal? And I'm gonna freeze it for the postpartum time." Very simple ways to just have some meals on the ready. After baby's here, I'm gonna link in the show notes a blog post that I wrote about how to prepare those postpartum meals and just some tips and tricks there.
Number 10, the final stretch here, but here are just a few important tasks that I would recommend you do at this point. Number one, just washing zero to three month clothes. I know that sounds like it doesn't sound like enough clothes, but I made the mistake the first time when we had Ellie of wanting to have every single piece of clothing that we had for her cleaned and organized and all the things. But babies when they're newborn are not gonna be wearing six month to one year clothes, so you don't need to have every single outfit ready to go, just have zero to three months washed and organized. And then as they grow out of that set of clothing, you can then wash and organize that next set.
Another thing is to install the car seat. Even if you are planning a home birth, you will want to make sure you have the car seat ready to go, just in case there is a transfer that's needed at any point during the labor or just after the birth. And if you are not sure if your car seat is installed correctly, many fire departments actually can check the installation of your car seat for free. So take advantage of that if that's something that would be a helpful resource for you.
And then also confirm the pediatrician that you're picking out. A quick phone call just to make sure that your pediatrician's office is accepting new patients can go a long way. And then not to bring in too much controversy here, but also if it's important for you to delay or possibly omit certain vaccines, check that your provider is okay and comfortable doing that. There are so many providers here in Jacksonville that are okay with that. And then we have others that are like, "Hey, if you are not following the CDC schedule, we will kick you out of our practice," essentially. So just make sure that you're on the same page with your pediatrician in that regard, especially if that's an important aspect of the pediatrician that you are choosing.
And then we're gonna wrap up today's episode with some scripture and I wanted to ground us in Isaiah 26:3 and it says, "You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you." And I want you to sit in that for a moment because perfect peace does not come from having everything on your to-do list checked off and perfectly executed. It doesn't come from having the Pinterest nursery or just knowing exactly how everything's going to unfold with the birth and the postpartum time. Perfect peace comes from fixing your mind on the one who is completely trustworthy, that the Lord holds this pregnancy and he holds the birth story and he holds your precious baby in perfect submission to his will.
And I came across the Serenity Prayer and it says, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference." And so I wanted to practically incorporate the Serenity Prayer for the birth. So in this third trimester: serenity for the parts of labor that you can't control, like when you go into labor or exactly how it unfolds, and the courage to prepare in the ways that he's given you influence and stewardship. So these practical steps that we talked about today, and then the wisdom to know the difference between the two.
And so now I just want to close out this episode with praying over you as we get to the end of this episode. Okay, Father God, I just lift up the precious mama that's listening right now in these final weeks when her body feels heavy and her mind races with preparations, I ask, Lord that you would just be her peace and that if she's waking up at night uncomfortable, I pray that you would just remind her that you don't sleep or slumber, and that you are watching over her and her baby every single moment.
Lord Jesus, I pray that you would just give her confidence in her body and her mind, and her spirit that comes from you. And I ask that you would just give her clarity in her decisions without the weight of perfection. I pray that you would give her a calm mind that trusts in your sovereignty over every single detail.
I pray that you would help her prepare in the areas that you have given her influence, but more importantly, I pray that you would help her to rest in the areas that belong only to you. I pray that you would go before her in her birth and you would surround her birth space with your presence. I pray that you would give wisdom to her and her birth team, strength to her body, and peace to her mind. I pray that you would protect her precious baby and bring this baby safely into the world in your perfect timing, and I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
So thank you so much for sticking around for this third trimester checklist, and as we wrap up, just wanted to give you a few things as reminders. So number one, download all these free resources that I mentioned in the episode inside the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library, and that's at faithoverfearbirth.com or just check the link in the show notes.
And then number two, I would love to connect with you. If you are seeking more personalized support, I would love to just hop on a 15 minute discovery call with you to see if we're a good fit for how I can support you during this time. Click the link in the show notes for scheduling that discovery call.
And then I would ask number three that you would just pray specifically over one aspect of your birth that's been on your heart, and that you would just completely surrender that to the Lord, especially as you're getting so close to the end. And just remember ultimately that you are not walking this journey alone, that you've got this because God's got you. And until next time, keep choosing faith over fear and I will see you next time.
