Congrats, mama! You’re almost to the finish line! The third trimester is by far the busiest time of your pregnancy, but it’s also the most exciting. There’s no reason to get overwhelmed, though. With everything going on, I wanna help you out with this simple third-trimester checklist that I created and followed for my own baby.
These last 14 weeks will be filled with plenty of shopping, planning, doctor visits, and all the finishing touches. And if you ask me, it’s all a blast! Seeing things like the nursery come together and all my baby’s clothes hanging in his closet makes it feel so real.
Make sure you also check out the to-do lists I made for the first trimester and second trimester if you haven’t already. If you follow along with these three posts, I can basically guarantee that you’ll be ready for your baby’s arrival!
Order your breast pump
I’m pretty sure that it’s required for all insurance providers to give pregnant women a 100% free breast pump — at least I haven’t heard of anyone who hasn’t gotten one this way. You can ask your doctor/midwife to write a prescription and handle it for you or you can call your insurance company yourself. Some insurances might not let you choose your pump’s brand, though. So be prepared for that.
Finish the nursery
Whatever is left to do, now’s the time! Just remember that the nursery is mostly just for looks in those first few months. So don’t stress if there are a few last-minute touches that don’t get done. Your baby won’t know if you don’t get a certain picture hung in time. Just worry about the big stuff like painting walls and assembling furniture.
Prepare “stations” around your home
Not only will the nursery need to be ready for baby’s arrival, but the rest of your house is also going to need a slight overhaul. Think of the areas where you spend the most time — probably your bedroom, living room, and kitchen. Make sure these spaces have all the necessities for feeding, diaper changes, and naps so you’re not constantly running to the nursery. For more ideas, I wrote a whole post about prepping your home for a new baby.
Create a birth plan
Creating a birth plan is somewhat of a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. Just google a few templates and you’ll get an idea what other women include in their plans. This is a great time to research all the different options for pain management, labor positions, and hospital procedures. Just remember, your plan is not guaranteed. Your end goal should be a healthy baby, no matter how he gets here.
Have your baby shower
One of the most exciting parts of late pregnancy is having your baby shower! Especially if this is your first baby, you should expect lots of fun gifts and memories. If you’re not having a baby shower, that’s okay too! Invite some of your closest friends out to a restaurant and just celebrate your baby.
Take free classes offered by your hospital
Almost every hospital offers some sort of childbirth, newborn care, and breastfeeding classes. Maybe if your hospital is very small or rural, this isn’t an option. If these aren’t available to you (or even if they are), an incredibly helpful resource is this video on Youtube. It’s a real prenatal class that was recorded and uploaded as a three-part series.
Stockpile household goods
Once baby gets here, it’s going to be about 100x harder to make a quick trip to the store for toilet paper or shampoo. To avoid any hassle, create a small stockpile of things like cleaning supplies, toiletries, and easy food options. I made a full list of things to stockpile if you need some inspiration.
Install baby’s car seat
At about 36 weeks, you should start prepping as if baby will show up tomorrow — because at that point it’s totally possible! Getting the car seat installed is really important to ensure your baby will be safe on their first trip home. A lot of fire stations offer “car seat checks” where they’ll make sure everything is installed correctly and show you how to use it. Your OB/midwife should have some resources on this.
Finish any household projects
Nows the time to finish up anything around the house that needs to be done. They might not ever get done if you wait until baby is here. Even if you aren’t in the middle of projects or renovations, it’s a good idea to deep clean as much as you can. I scored a deal on this carpet shampooer on Black Friday and I’m SO glad I decided to do this since baby will inevitably spend some time on the floor.
Wash baby’s clothes and linens
When you bring home baby clothes from the store, they’re covered in chemicals and starches to keep them looking nice on a hanger. These aren’t good for a baby’s sensitive skin, so make sure you wash everything that your little one will come in contact with. Don’t forget crib sheets, swaddle blankets or boppy covers, too! Wash things with any detergent labeled “free and clear” is safe for babies, you don’t need to splurge on a baby-specific brand.
Find a pediatrician
Making arrangements with a pediatrician before baby’s arrival is super important. When you go into labor, your hospital is going to ask for your pediatrician’s info so they can schedule an in-hospital visit. I’d suggest getting two or three recommendations and then interview them on things like breastfeeding, circumcision, and vaccinations to pick your favorite.
Finalize any arrangements with work
Make sure you and your employer are on the same page when it comes to maternity leave, returning to work, delegating tasks in your absence, or whatever may be needed. Get details about your maternity leave in writing so there’s no possibility of being screwed over later — it’s unlikely to happen, but something you definitely want to avoid.
Tour your hospital or birth center
Get signed up for a scheduled tour or just give labor and delivery a call and ask if you can be shown around. Make sure you can see an actual room, check out the bathroom and elevator situation, ask about food options or anything else you’re curious about. If you haven’t yet, register at your hospital, too! This will speed up the check-in process, which you’ll be thankful for later on.
Have a maternity photoshoot
But only if you want! The third trimester is the best time for pictures because you obviously look the most pregnant. If you don’t want to have a full-scale photoshoot, I suggest at least taking some mirror selfies to show off the bump or trying to DIY some photos with your partner. Even if the last thing you want to do is be in front of a camera, you’ll probably be happy to have the memories later on.
Plan for child and/or pet care during labor
If you’ve got other kids or pets that will need to be taken care of while you’re away, don’t put this off! Make prior arrangements with family or friends to watch over your home and family. Maybe even have a backup option in case these people could be at work or unavailable when they’re needed most.
Finish buying any needed baby products
After your baby shower, you should have a pretty good idea of what you still need to buy. Prioritize the big stuff like a bassinet or swing if you still don’t have these things. Also, the little things you’re more likely to overlook — like first aid supplies or feeding accessories. Once our baby is here for a few months, I plan to come out with a list of our favorite newborn essentials, so stay tuned!
Pack your hospital bag
Once you’re about 36 weeks (or sooner if you’re a planner like me), you should have your hospital bag packed and ready to go. And don’t forget a bag for your partner and baby! It’s hard to know exactly what you’ll want and need if you’ve never given birth before, so you can see what I’ve packed in my hospital bag for some ideas.
Gather supplies for postpartum
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new baby, but you can’t forget the slight downside to it all, which is the pain and discomfort of postpartum. It’s going to be a rough few weeks, so stock up on some large pads and supplies for pain management. Making a basket of postpartum essentials will save you later on.
Plan your birth announcement
You can go the traditional route and send cards or keep it simple with a social media post. Either way, look into some options and figure out how you’d like the world to know your baby’s made his arrival. Even if you just post a photo on Facebook, consider what outfit baby will be wearing and if you want any accessories like a letter board.
Download a contraction timer app
Even if you’re at the beginning of your third trimester, it’s never too early to find an app you like. I’d suggest looking at the one called “Contraction Timer – Time labor” in the app store. It’s simple, straight forward and creates graphs and averages for you. This will be really helpful when determining when it’s to head to the hospital.
Hopefully, this list helps calm your nerves and gets you on the right track. Prepping for a baby, especially when it’s your first, can seem like a never-ending job where you don’t even know what you’re doing. Learn from my experience, and follow the checklists I’ve made and I promise you’ll be ready for your baby’s big arrival!
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