You are now in the homestretch, this is the time to make sure you have all your i’s dotted and t’s crossed. A lot of people think the third trimester just drags by but I honestly have thought it has gone by really fast with this pregnancy. I am 37 weeks today and they consider that full term! My first came the week of 37 weeks so I am making sure everything is together and ready this week just in case. I would be lying if I said I was ready and not worried at all. Honestly I am very nervous and anxious. I just hope everything goes smooth and with no issues. I have put together a list for the third trimester, things I have done and still need to do.
Baby Shower
Even though this world is crazy right now, you still should throw a shower and celebrate your little one! It is a great way to get most of the things you will need for the baby.
Pack your hospital bag
This was a lot easier this time around. I was able to cut down a ton of items that I packed with my oldest and never needed. The hospital provides more than you would think for you and baby. I have a post where I talked about what items are essential and what ones were not if you want to go read that.
Purchase items you did not receive at shower
If there were any “must have” items that you have not purchased or received yet, you may want to finish purchasing them. If anything is not a “must have” then you can always wait until after the baby is here just in case someone buys it for you last minute or after your baby comes.
Pre-register with the hospital
If you did a tour at the hospital you are delivering, you may have already done this. With the pandemic going on, the hospitals are not doing them right now so you may have to do it online. If you don’t get it done before you go in, it’s no big deal you can still go through the process at the hospital.
Install car seat
You will need your car seat installed for the baby to be able to leave the hospital. Make sure you and your partner know how to get the car seat in and out of the car. When in doubt, you can always take it to your local fire station and see if they can show you how to do it.
Wash baby’s clothes and sheets
Once you have all of your baby’s clothes, sheets, blankets, etc. you will want to make sure they are all cleaned using baby detergent. I use either Dreft or Purex for baby.
Assemble baby gear
Go ahead and assemble any baby gear that you have. I have been doing this for the past couple weeks to make sure everything is put together by the time she makes her appearance so we don’t have to do it when she is here.
Make arrangements for other children/pets
Make sure you have talked to someone about watching your other children/pets while you are in the hospital.
Download a contractions app
You want to make sure you keep track of this so you don’t go to the hospital too soon and get sent home. The app will make it easy for you to keep track of the 5-1-1 or 4-1-1 rule. Most second time parents follow the 5-1-1 rule. If you are having contractions every 5 minutes (or 4) apart, lasting for 1 minute each, for an hour, start heading to the hospital.
Choose your pediatrician
If you have not chosen one yet, you should start looking hard now.
Prep for your postpartum needs
You will want to be comfortable at the hospital. Postpartum is crazy and a huge adjustment that will require some things that you may have never had stocked in your house before. If you can stay away from having to run errands with a newborn the first few weeks, this is what you would need.
- Nursing pads
- Giant pads
- Depends
- Peri-bottle
- Dermaplast
- Epsom salt
- Witch hazel pads
- Aloe
Stock the house with food/Essential items
Like I said before, it will make your life easier if you stock up on things you need before baby comes so you don’t have to run anywhere with your newborn as soon as you get home. Make sure you have dinners thought out, snacks, drinks, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
Walk or workout
As long as your doctor says it is okay, keep working out and going for walks. Especially in this trimester, the more active you are the easier labor will be. It also helps in the end to help move baby down the birth canal faster. Giving birth is very exhausting mentally and physically so the more active you are during pregnancy the better the big day will be for you and baby!
That’s my list! I am sure there are a thousand more things that I could put on the list but at this point I am just making sure to check off the essentials since your little one will be here so soon!
What all did you do in your third trimester?
Lets Connect!
Teens and Toddlers 