I can’t believe we’re just a few weeks away from meeting our baby.
It’s wild how fast the time has flown. It feels like just yesterday we found out we were expecting, and now here we are—crib is here, baby clothes washed, go bag packed(ish)—doing our best to prepare for the biggest change of our lives.
Like many first-time parents, we’ve done what we can to learn as much as possible. We’ve read books. We’ve taken classes. We’ve talked to other parents. And we’ve shared a lot of it here on the blog—partly to help others, and partly to calm our own anxious hearts.
Here’s a look back at some of the most important lessons we’ve picked up (so far) on the road to becoming parents.
1. Labor Isn’t Just One Big Event—It Comes in Stages
Through our labor and delivery class, we learned that labor comes in three main stages:
- Early labor (0–6 cm)
- Active labor (6–8 cm)
- Transition (8–10 cm)
Each stage brings its own intensity and symptoms. We also learned about the 5-1-1 rule (contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour) as a guideline for when to head to the hospital.
👉 Read our full post on the 3 stages of labor and what to expect »
2. Postpartum Anxiety Is Real—And Different from Normal Worry
One of the most eye-opening topics we’ve explored is the difference between normal new parent anxiety and postpartum anxiety. While some level of worry is totally expected, we now know what red flags to look for—and how important it is to reach out for professional help if things feel off.
👉 Postpartum Anxiety vs. Normal Worry: How to Tell the Difference »
3. Infant CPR Can Be Life-Saving
This one was scary to think about but felt necessary. We wrote about what we learned regarding infant CPR, just in case the worst ever happens. It’s one of those things you hope you never need—but if you do, you’ll be glad you took the time to learn it.
👉 Infant CPR: What Every Anxious Parent Needs to Know »
4. Sickness Is Inevitable—But Panic Doesn’t Have to Be
Babies get sick. And as new parents, our first instinct might be to panic. But after researching common symptoms and when to take action, we feel a little more grounded. Having a plan helps.
👉 What to Do If Your Baby Gets Sick: A Calm Parent’s Guide »
5. Packing the Hospital “Go Bag” Isn’t Just a Trend—It’s a Lifesaver
Everyone kept telling us to pack a hospital bag early. Now we know why. From comfy clothes to chargers to baby’s first outfit, it’s the little things that can make a big difference during delivery day chaos.
👉 What to Pack in Your Hospital Go Bag »
6. You’ll Never Know Everything—And That’s Okay
If there’s one big lesson we keep learning again and again, it’s this: you’ll never be “fully ready.” Every time we feel like we’ve got a handle on one thing, we discover five more questions.
But that’s okay.
We’re not professionals. We’re not experts. We’re just parents-in-training, doing the best we can with the time we have—and sharing what we learn along the way.
Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Be an Anxious Parent
Being just weeks away from our baby’s due date is exciting, surreal, and—yes—anxiety-inducing. But if you’re in the same boat, just know that you’re not alone. Every article we’ve written has helped us feel a little less overwhelmed and a little more prepared.
If you’re also navigating the confusing world of first-time parenting, feel free to explore the posts linked above—or reach out and share what you’ve learned. We’re in this together.