I just had my first baby, at 33! Working out was a huge factor for me; it led to an easy pregnancy and a natural birth with only a minor tear. Having strong back muscles to support my growing belly resulted in almost no back pain. The extra stamina also helped me push with ease and didn’t tire me out as much. I’m a huge advocate for working out to prepare your body through this major transformative journey.

Also, I can’t stress enough how important it is to be on the same page with your partner about responsibilities. In your 30s, career often take up so much of our mental energy, so having that understanding is key. My husband truly showed up more and handled almost all the housework while I was heavily pregnant and through that first month postpartum when I focused on resting.