You’re so loved, mama.
Valentine’s Day is a sweet excuse to build oxytocin with your partner as a way to prepare for labor. Think of when y’all made the baby. Those moments use the same hormones as when you give birth. The love hormone, oxytocin, is used in made in our bodies when we orgasm, give birth, and breastfeed. In the postpartum period, oxytocin supports maternal recovery and bonding. It promotes calming effects, reduces stress, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode) while dampening the sympathetic "fight-or-flight" response.
There are activities we can involve ourselves in and together with our partner to allow that hormone to flow with ease:
cuddling
massages
kissing
connecting with each other emotionally too
The ultimate act of love:
the birth of your beloved baby
Oxytocin contributes to feelings of well-being, euphoria, and reduced anxiety by interacting with brain reward centers alongside dopamine. It lowers stress hormone levels and promotes positive emotions towards the baby. In breastfeeding mothers, it often induces a calming, meditative state. Oxytocin triggers the milk to let-down by causing contractions in breast tissue and then releasing milk during nursing. Oxytocin stimulates stronger uterine contractions after birth, aiding uterine involution (shrinkage back to pre-pregnancy size) and reducing postpartum bleeding risk. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and growth-promoting properties that support tissue repair. In the broader body, it enhances healing processes and pain tolerance.
We all have different Love Languages.
Ways we feel most seen, cherished, and loved. Go over this together with each other so you’re all on the same page.
Words of affirmation: Verbal encouragement is very supportive during the vulnerable time of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. You might enjoy hearing someone tell you what a good mama you are already. How lucky your baby is to have you as a mama. How cute you are, even when you’re working hard laboring.
Quality time: Be fully present with each other as you walk uphill, doing your spinning babies exercises, attending prenatal appointments, and taking childbirth classes. Without distractions, making eye contact, and deep conversations take these activities to the next level.
Acts of service: Ease the burdens off of the shoulders of the one carrying the weight of the baby. It’s so thoughtful to brew herbal teas, cook steaks, and run errands together. Find out what the nursery needs done and either do it or hire someone else to do it. Learn about how to best support her during labor and make sure you’re good at it and know what to expect during the labor process. Practice changing a baby’s diaper, babywearing, and how to support breastfeeding.
Physical touch: Stay in relaxed physical contact with each other, even when there’s tension in the uterus or tension in the mind. Can you still touch each other in a way to invites oxytocin to soar? This is a great skill to have for labor. My class about Labor Sensations is a great way to learn all of these things.
Receiving gifts: Thoughtful gifts isn’t about the amount of money spent. It’s about the symbolism and effort behind the gift. I have the perfect gift for an expecting mama to build oxytocin in all of these ways.
Pregnancy Gift guide for valentines day:
When the woman you love is growing a baby or recovering postpartum, the most meaningful gifts say: “I see you. I honor this sacred season. I’m right here with you.” Here’s a heartfelt gift guide filled with ideas that nourish her body, calm her mind, and celebrate her journey into motherhood: all from my perspective as a wife, mother of 4 children, and a student midwfe.
Placenta encapsulation
Secure placenta encapsulation services for the ultimate oxytocin builder for her when she’s postpartum and feeling low. This is truly the most unique postpartum gift. I’ll transform her placenta organ into easy-to-take capsules that may help balance hormones, boost energy, improve mood, and support milk supply. Gift the placenta encapsulation service to her and she’ll thank you when those early weeks postpartum feel a little gentler and maybe even a little milkier.
Special Valentines Day Offer:
This Valentines Day basket is in honor of the deep love you have for your growing family. I’ve curated each item to nurture your body, soothe your spirit, and invite the natural flow of oxytocin so you’ll flow with ease in each phase motherhood. This is a limited offer! TThis is an easy, meaningful upgrade that’ll light up every single love language this Valentine’s Day. If you’re working on building your birth kit, each of these items will work great for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
Each basket contains:
Muslin blanket that she can cover up with throughout pregnancy as she Rests Smart, laboring at home and/or hospital, and as she lays in bed nursing the baby postpartum. Beautiful, soft, and 100% cotton. The backdrop in your memories of these precious moments will include this blanket.
Pregnancy coloring book with a pen and markers. She’ll journal her experiences, meditate on the present, and plan for the future in this keepsake. The journal starts with a postitive pregnancy test and goes through the 4th trimester, which is the first 3 months of the baby’s life. Everyone will enjoy this coloring book for years as a special memento.
Canvas bag with a handstamped crowing baby and floral design. Unique and beautiful way to keep birth and baby supplies together where you can find it.
Massage oil to keep her rubbed down and lubed up. Soft skin. Comforting aroma. Safe for mama and even baby massages one day in the future! The massage oil is contained in a fancy glass bottle that’ll look beautiful displayed on the nightstand and in your birth supplies. Ingredients in the oil blend: coconut oil, coriander, geranium, palmarosa, lavender, ylang ylang, roman chamomile, bergamot (furocoumarin-free), lemon, jasmine, and rose. These combine for a soft, comforting scent that's often described as tranquil and nurturing. May help release negative emotions and ease mental exhaustion from overwork or imbalance. Great for pregnancy bellies and postpartum skin!
Roller bottle with essential oil aromatherapy. Frankensince smells amazing. It’s grounding and smells woodsy. Many mamas roll it on temples, wrists, or belly for calm and centering and my favorite oil for anointing the baby as you welcome and bless the new life in your hands. Such a powerful moment for the entire family.
MAMA bracelet with pearl beads for her to wear and remember her how much she’s loved and cherished in this role as a mother.
Herbal tea to nourish her body and uterus during pregnancy and postpartum. Herbs come in a 4oz Mason jar with instructions on how to make an infusion.
Silk scrunchie to reduce hair frizziness. There becomes a point in labor where we’re working so hard that the hair HAS to go up. The silk scrunchie is so pretty and so will mama’s hair be even when she’s in the midst of hard labor.
Tea light candles. These are battery operated, so they’re safe to turn on and not have to worry if they get forgotten about. Mood lighting is lovely for making babies. For enjoying your Valentine’s Day evening as a couple. And, for birthing a baby. You’ll hopefully use these candle several times to help boost the flow of oxytocin.
I’ll deliver your basket with your placenta transport kit to your front porch on Friday, February 13. Payment for the basket is due when you book the service. Payment for the placenta pills is due when I deliver your placenta pills to you postpartum. Book the placenta encapsulation service and let me know you want to add-on the ($100) gift basket. Fill out this form below to secure the service + basket:
2. childbirth classes
Give her confidence in what to expect in the childbirth process and tools to build her birth plan. You can schedule private childbirth classes at your convenience in your home. The gift that keeps giving! Evidence-based, empowering, indepentant childbirth preparation. Bundle any classes for savings. Message me and I’ll create a beautiful gift certificate for you to give her as a gift . Talk about Love Languages!!! This demonstrates your acts of service, you’ll spend quality time together, we’ll talk about birth affirmations, and I’ll make sure your physical touch for labor support is just how she likes it. You can’t go wrong with booking private childbirth classes to learn about all of your options, goals, and possibilities.
3. Additional gift ideas list
Living houseplant purifies the air and grows alongside her growing family. Choose a low-maintenance beauty like a snake plant, peace lily, or pothos. All symbols of life, growth, and fresh beginnings. It’ll be a beautiful natural addition to your baby’s nursery.
Silk pillowcases are gentle on hair, reduces friction, and feels like indulgence. Look for 100% mulberry silk.
Her favorite pregnancy snacks that would make great for labor fuel too: dates, red raspberry leaf tea, meat sticks, almond butter, fruit leathers, honey sticks, electrolytes.
Wool socks to keep her feet cute and cozy.
Button-up pajamas that are postpartum friendly to make breastfeeding effortless. Loose-fitting pants accommodate the healing belly beautifully.
Heating pad for lower back pain during pregnancy, keeps towels warm for the homebirth, and great for afterpains on the postpartum belly.
Essential oil roller bottles for relaxation during pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, and infant massages.
Pregnancy journal to help her plan and keep track. You can purchase the download so you can print and bind it yourself. Or gift her the ones that are spiral bound. Starts with a postiive pregnancy test and goes to 3 months postpartum so it doubles as a baby book too.
“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children.” 1 John 3:1 TPT
With love and baby dust,
Chelsey Taylor
YOUR childbirth educator, student midwife, and placenta specialist
