I’m In My “Due Window” Around the Holidays…

A love letter to my mamas who are due between October 25th 1st and February 18th:

(Yep- that includes Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, New Years, and Valentines Day)

If your due date is near or past, and you’re feeling the weight of the holidays, family plans, and endless to-dos, I want to share a story that might resonate with you.

When I was pregnant with my third, her due date landed right on Thanksgiving Day. And while I loved having family in town and all the holiday energy, it felt like there just wasn’t any room for me to have a baby.

At our core, we are mammals. To give birth, we need to feel safe, grounded, and supported.

But my in-laws were in town to care for our two older kids when the baby came, and I just started to notice that I couldn’t find that sense of calm I needed.

Instead, there was this subtle pressure: meals to prepare, plans to make, people to please.

Then came the moment of clarity. I was 40 weeks and 4 days, and my mother-in-law—who had been staying with us since 39 weeks to make sure the older two felt safe when I was in labor—said, “You know, I can’t stay forever. I have to leave soon to take care of my mom…”

And I remember thinking:

Come on! I don’t really have control over this! And also the pressure is making it impossible for me to have a baby! My cervix says no! 

It was like the universe tapped me on the shoulder and said:

"You need everyone to leave you the heck alone."

There’s a magic to birth—a shift where your body and baby communicate exactly what you need. For me, that meant isolating, creating space, and letting go of outside expectations.
So if you’re feeling the pressure of the season—or just from well-meaning family members—remember this: it’s okay to step away. To say no. To let people know that you need quiet, peace, and safety to welcome your baby into the world.

You deserve to feel supported, not rushed. Let the magic of birth happen in its own time.

Your baby knows exactly when to arrive. 

With love and understanding,
Emily

P.S. I love my mother-in-law more than most and we have talked about this moment many times- no shade on her ;) The holidays are stressful. It’s really easy in pregnancy to just feel like “NOBODY UNDERSTANDS ME!” And I am so lucky to have her in my life. 

P.P.S. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. As we step into this fresh chapter, I hope it brings you a sense of renewal—like the deep, cleansing breath you didn’t realize you needed. May this year meet you with grace, bring you moments of peace, and remind you of the strength and beauty already within you. Here’s to new beginnings and the quiet magic they hold. ✨

P.P.P.S. Book a call with me if you want to see how supported you could feel in the new year.