Made with Love: How Valentine’s Day Can Lead to a November Birth Story
Ah, Valentine’s Day—the annual celebration of love, overpriced chocolates, and, for some, a very special kind of celebration that leads to a brand-new family member about nine months later. If your romantic evening results in two pink lines a few weeks from now, congratulations! You just might be cooking up a November baby—a club I personally belong to, with a birthday smack in the middle of the month (November 19, in case you want to send cake). 🎂
Now, before we dive into what this means for your pregnancy journey, let’s address the elephant in the delivery room: holiday-induced inductions. Yep, if your due date lands anywhere near Thanksgiving, you might hear some friendly suggestions about “just scheduling an induction to get it over with before the holiday rush.” But let’s save the how-to-say-no-to-that conversation for another post.
For now, let’s focus on the fun part: what to do when you see those two pink lines and realize Cupid just sent you on the wildest ride of your life.
Why Valentine’s Day = A November Due Date
First, a little math (don’t worry, no pop quiz). Pregnancy typically lasts around 40 weeks, and if conception happens mid-February, that puts your estimated due date somewhere between mid to late November. Perfect timing for:
🍂 A cozy fall maternity wardrobe (leggings and oversized sweaters for the win).
🦃 The very real possibility of giving birth during Thanksgiving dinner (hope someone saves you a plate).
🎉 Having a baby whose birthday will forever be sandwiched between holiday madness (sorry, kiddo).
But before we get ahead of ourselves planning autumn-themed baby showers, let’s talk about what you should actually do the moment you realize a tiny human is officially on the way.
First Things to Do After Seeing Two Pink Lines
1. Take a Deep Breath (or Five)
Yes, this is big. Whether you’ve been planning for this moment or it caught you completely off guard, it’s okay to feel excited, overwhelmed, thrilled, terrified, or all of the above. There’s no one right way to react to a positive pregnancy test—so give yourself a second to process.
2. Confirm the Pregnancy
While a home pregnancy test is pretty accurate, a blood test can confirm your hCG levels. Call your provider (or find one if you don’t have one yet) and schedule that first appointment.
3. Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin (Like, Yesterday)
If you haven’t already, grab a prenatal with folic acid (or methylfolate), iron, and DHA to help support early development. Bonus points if it doesn’t make you gag (the real test of pregnancy strength).
4. Forget the “Due Date” Hype—It’s Not Even Evidence-Based
Here’s the thing: that magical due date your provider (or an online calculator) gives you? It’s not actually evidence-based. It’s based on an outdated 280-day model that assumes a perfectly regular 28-day cycle (which, spoiler alert, not everyone has). In reality, normal pregnancy lengths vary by about two weeks in either direction—meaning your baby could arrive anywhere from early November to early December, and it would still be totally normal.
So, while it’s fun to estimate when your baby might arrive, just know that no app, doctor, or internet calculator can predict it with precision. And if anyone starts pressuring you to induce before Thanksgiving “because your due date says so,” just remember—your baby didn’t get the memo.
5. Hydrate Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Kind of Does)
Your blood volume is about to increase dramatically, and staying hydrated helps with nausea, digestion, and overall energy. If plain water isn’t doing it for you, try adding lemon, ginger, or a splash of juice.
6. Start Thinking About Your Birth Team
This is a big one. The provider you choose can have a huge impact on your birth experience. Do they actually listen to you? Respect your preferences? Support the birth experience you want? If you get meh vibes, don’t be afraid to keep looking. And yes, doulas can help with this (hi, nice to meet you!).
7. Give Yourself Permission to Set Boundaries Early
From unsolicited advice to pushy family members, pregnancy has a way of attracting opinions. A November baby means navigating holiday gatherings while also dealing with nausea, exhaustion, and the emotional rollercoaster of growing a human. Start practicing phrases like:
“We’re keeping some details private for now.”
“Thanks for your input! We’ll do what feels right for us.”
“No, Grandma, I don’t need to drink castor oil to speed things up.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
If your baby was conceived on Valentine’s Day, just know that in 18 years, you’ll have to answer some very awkward questions. But for now? Enjoy the ride, hydrate, and maybe start dropping hints about that really good pregnancy pillow.
And if you love fun, insightful blog posts about pregnancy, birth, and everything in between, be sure to join my email list! You’ll get evidence-based info, real talk, and the occasional witty take on the wild world of birth.
✨ Sign up here, and let’s make sure your November baby’s birth story is one you feel empowered by. ✨
