Third Trimester Checklist: What to Do in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Congratulations you made it to the third trimester of pregnancy! You are on the homestretch, the excitement is palpable, and your baby’s arrival is just around the corner. To help you have a smooth transition, we’ve compiled a comprehensive third trimester checklist just for you.
Go here to see our First and Second Trimester Checklists.
1. Stock up on household essentials.
Once the baby is here you will have your hands full and need time to rest and recuperate from birth. Leaving the house to go shopping with a newborn in the first few days is a big event with many preparations required. Zero stars, do not recommend it. So, now is the time to stock up on regular household essentials. Things like: Toilet paper, shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, sponges, light bulbs, pantry staples and all of your favorite foods. Keep your fridge full. You’ll appreciate having these items stocked up during those initial chaotic weeks.
2. Schedule a house cleaning.
Is your nesting instinct kicking in? Most of us experience a strong urge to prepare our homes in the third trimester. Channel that energy into a sparkling clean home. Schedule a professional house cleaning to ease your mind and create a serene environment for the arrival of your little one. Another option is to plan a day to do it yourself with help. Just don’t over do it! Your baby won’t notice the dust bunnies and all she or he really needs when she first arrives is you. You certainly won’t have time to do any deep cleaning once your baby is here.
3. Attend your baby shower or baby welcoming party/ceremony.
It’s time to celebrate! Your baby is almost here and you deserve to be showered with love, gifts and fun. Enjoy your special day and cherish these moments with your family and friends. Don’t forget to send thank you notes.
4. Finish getting all the baby gear.
Is there anything left on your list or registry that you didn’t get? The third trimester is the time to select and get any remaining baby items that you were hoping for. Fill and organize your diaper bag with the essentials for on-the-go convenience.
5. Prepare for feeding and diapering with stations throughout the house.
Newborn babies eat frequently and often while their tiny tummies are growing. It is helpful to understand that you will spend a lot of time feeding your baby. Set up stations throughout the house where you might spend most of your time feeding your baby. Imagine holding and feeding your baby in one spot and not being able to get up for 30 mins to an hour. In addition to the feeding supplies you’ll want to have all of the diaper changing essentials too. This way you don’t have to walk across the house just to change a diaper. You’ll be happy to have everything you need within arm’s reach.
Things you may need include:
- Breastfeeding pillow
- Nursing pads
- Nipple cream
- Hakaa (to catch the milk that is coming out of the breast your baby is not nursing from)
- Breastfeeding book
- Reusable water bottles
- Snacks for mom
- Burp cloths
- Breast pump & parts
- Breast milk storage bags
- Bottles and nipples
- Formula
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Rash cream
- Changing Pad or towel
- Baby outfits
- Diaper bin
6. Make freezer meals and/or set up a meal train.
Save your future self from kitchen duties by preparing freezer-friendly meals that you and your family like. If you’re not the cooking type, consider organizing a meal train with friends and family. It’s a practical and heartwarming way to receive support. People want to help and they’ll be glad to have been assigned a useful job.
7. Set up your nursery.
It can be fun to design the baby’s nursery. Baby boutiques and mommy blogs are full of cute ideas to make your baby’s space adorable and unique. But in reality, babies don’t really need a fancy space to be comfortable and safe. So, try not to get overwhelmed with preparing the nursery and focus on the essentials as you approach your last month of pregnancy.
Get the bassinet, crib or sleep space established. Put your rocking chair right where you want it. Wash and put away tiny clothes, crib sheets, blankets, burp cloths, bibs, swaddles and all the adorable essentials. Your heart will swell each time you peek into this sweet space.
8. Meet with and stay in touch with your birth doula team.
Your birth doula team is your support squad during labor and beyond. As you get closer to your due date they will want to meet with you to ensure you are feeling ready and prepared. To learn more about what is covered in these meetings check out this article: The Prenatal Meeting with Your Birth Doulas. During the third trimester you’ll want to stay connected, share your thoughts, and discuss any last-minute concerns. Your doulas experience and guidance will be invaluable during the birthing journey.
9. Attend childbirth, breastfeeding, newborn care & infant CPR classes.
Knowledge is power. Arm yourself with as much evidenced based information as possible. Attending classes will help you to reduce anxiety, build confidence and prepare for the challenges of parenthood. We also recommend you get baby & breastfeeding books for easy reference when you have simple questions and need reliable answers.
10. Finalize and write your birth plan.
Now that your birth classes are done you should have a good idea of your preferences for labor and birth. Putting your birth plan together will help you to finalize these wishes and communicate them effectively to your birth team (care providers, nurses and doulas.) Make your birth plan simple but personal, ensuring your unique wishes are known. Your doulas can help you ensure you’ve covered all important aspects.
You may also want to think about your preferences for updating family and visitors regarding your labor progress. Do you want to keep things to yourselves until the baby is here, or will you tell family right away? Are they coming to the hospital to visit or waiting until you’re home?
11. Register and tour the hospital or birth center.
Familiarize yourself with the birthing environment by doing a dry run of getting to the birth facility. Pre-register and take a tour. This will help ease any anxieties you might have about the logistics of the big day.
12. Pack your birth bag. If you’re having a homebirth, put together your home birth kit.
Whether it’s a hospital or birth center, ensure your birth bag is packed with the essentials. If you are planning a homebirth, your midwife will have a recommended list of items you’ll need to have at home. Don’t forget the comfort items that make you feel at ease (socks, pillows, blankets, twinkle lights, etc.)
13. Choose and confirm your pediatrician.
The pediatrician will likely come see your baby the day they’re born, or soon after while you’re still at the hospital, so you’ll need one lined up in advance. You’ll want to take some time to select a pediatrician that you feel comfortable with and who supports your parenting choices. Read more about our recommendations on how to go about this process: Finding a Pediatrician. Most pediatricians will allow you to come in for a meet and greet to get to know them before making a decision. During your third trimester, choose your pediatrician so you feel confident in the medical provider who will oversee your baby’s health and well-being.
14. Book your postpartum doula services.
Going it alone during the postpartum period can be overwhelming. Everything you were doing before (cooking, eating, cleaning, laundry, sleeping, caring for other children, etc) still needs to get done, but now you have a baby to care for 24/7 too. Having the support of family, friends or a postpartum doula is highly recommended to ease the transition to life with your new baby. Postpartum doulas can provide day or overnight care to ensure that you are rested and supported. They can answer newborn care questions, give you emotional support and guidance, care for your baby to give you a much needed break, do light housekeeping and more. Postpartum doulas are in high demand and are often booked up months in advance. If you’re planning to use a postpartum doula, now is the time to get her booked if you haven’t already!
15. Get your car seat safely installed.
Safety first! Install your car seat early to avoid any last-minute stress. Seek professional help if needed. At Buddha Belly we have a team of certified passenger safety technicians that offer car seat education sessions to help you learn how to use and properly install your car seat.
16. Take maternity photos and schedule a newborn photo session.
Pregnancy is such a fleeting miracle and you may miss this time once it’s over. Maternity photos are something you can treasure forever to remember this special experience. To capture those precious early moments you may want to have a newborn photographer selected and scheduled. Take time to find one that fits your style and get them booked in advance so you don’t miss out on the opportunity. Your baby will only be this tiny for a little while. These memories will be cherished for a lifetime.
17. Prepare for maternity leave.
If you’re working, now is the time to start implementing your maternity leave plan that you’ve been putting together during the 2nd trimester. You’ll need to start training your replacement or delegating responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition during your absence. It is also time to get solid plans in place to support your transition back to work with a baby to care for as well. Will you work from home? Will family help or will you hire a child caregiver?
Even if you aren’t working, you’ll still want to have a restful time once your baby is here. If you have older children, you can plan out easy activities or play dates with family members so you have time to recharge. Consider everything you do in a normal week (or month) and do your best to prepare for an easy time once the baby is born.
18. Prepare your postpartum care kit.
After giving birth you and your body need healing. Postpartum bleeding and perineal care will be part of your daily life for a couple weeks. Get your supplies together so you have the essentials for comfort after giving birth. Some of these items will be given to you at the hospital, but you can also collect up and prepare your own kit:
- Postpartum pads (we recommend cloth pads for extra comfort!)
- Homemeade Padsicles
- Peri Bottle
- Witch Hazel pads
- Herbal perineal spray
- Cold packs
19. Have a plan for siblings and pets and pack their bags.
If you have other children and pets you’ll need to have a plan for their care while you are at the hospital or birth center. With my planned homebirth I wished I had made a better plan for our dog. We had just moved into our new home and hadn’t set up her doggy door yet. Every time she wanted to be let out she howled or scratch at the door and it was quite distracting. Read more about this here: Woof! Don’t Forget About Me!
Family, friends or a professional caregiver can be established to help with siblings and pets during this important time. Ensure you have bags packed and all important care information turned over to your helpers. Knowing your little ones are in good hands while you are unavailable will give you a sense of relief.
20. Mentally prepare for labor through relaxation.
Labor and birth are one of the biggest events in your life both physically and mentally. During labor your body needs to relax and open. That can feel counterintuitive as you go through the sensations and discomfort of contractions. Therefore, having a strong relaxation strategy is crucial. Relaxation doesn’t come naturally to everyone which is why we recommend practicing throughout your third trimester. As you come to the end of your pregnancy take time for yourself to rest and destress. Prioritize activities that help you relax: prenatal yoga, soaking in the tub, meditation, etc. Spend time practicing your comfort techniques and getting yourself into a good headspace before the marathon of labor begins.
You may also want to create a labor playlist with soothing tunes, calming sounds, or whatever music will be helpful to you during labor.
21. Plan a date night.
If this is your first baby, these are the final days that it will be just the two of you. Whether it’s your first baby or not, take a moment for yourselves before your baby arrives. Plan a date night to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate your journey as a couple thus far.
22. Pamper yourself.
Amidst the preparations, don’t forget to pamper yourself. You have grown this baby for nine months. Treat yourself to a spa day, a favorite meal, or simply some quiet time to unwind. You deserve it!
This checklist is your guide to a stress-free and enjoyable third trimester. Customize it to fit your unique journey, and savor these final weeks of pregnancy. Soon, you’ll be holding your precious bundle in your arms, and the adventure of a lifetime will truly begin!
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