Are you looking for a third trimester checklist so you know exactly what to do during the last twelve weeks of pregnancy? Here are the 17 most important things you should add to your pregnancy to do list!
The third trimester comes with so many emotions: excitement to meet your baby, nerves about the transition to motherhood and newborn life and maybe even a little fear about giving birth.
This post will break down the most important things to include on your 3rd trimester checklist. These third trimester tips will not only help you get through the third trimester of pregnancy with minimal stress but will also make life so much easier after you give birth!
This post is all about the third trimester checklist.
Third Trimester Checklist
The third trimester of pregnancy occurs during months seven, eight and nine and it is your last phase of pregnancy.
During these three months, your baby will continue to grow and develop but will also start to change position to get ready for birth.
You can expect this trimester to be and mentally challenging for a variety of factors.
It can be increasingly hard to get comfortable because of your baby’s size and position. This makes normal tasks like putting on shoes or picking something up can be difficult.
Plus, you might be tired of pregnancy altogether and are ready to move on to the next stage of having your baby in your arms instead of in your belly.
Try to remain as positive as you can and do whatever you need to feel comfortable and get through each day. And remember, it is normal to go past your due date so if it comes and goes uneventfully, it’s ok.
Now let’s break down the third trimester pregnancy checklist!
1 – Keep track of fetal movement and start counting baby’s kicks regularly throughout the day.
Usually doctors recommend choosing a time of day to feel for your baby’s movements. The general rule of thumb is to feel for at least ten movements in one hour but you should consult your doctor about the specifics that he or she is looking for.
2 – Keep moving and stay active with your doctor’s ok.
Staying active can help alleviate aches and pains, give you energy and make you happy. You should of course talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions though.
3 – Schedule your third trimester appointments.
During the third trimester of pregnancy, you will start to see your doctor more frequently so it is important to get your appointments scheduled. Starting around 32 weeks, you will see your doctor every two weeks and by 36 weeks, you will most likely have weekly appointments.
4 – Choose your baby’s pediatrician.
This is a really important action item on your third trimester pregnancy checklist.
You will need to finalize your baby’s pediatrician prior to going into labor. Some pediatricians will see your baby in the hospital once he or she is born but if not, the hospital usually requires you have your first appointment set with your pediatrician prior to being released to go home.
Having a pediatrician all set will alleviate a lot of stress in the hospital.
5 – Have your baby shower.
This is one of the really exciting things on this pregnancy to do list! Having a baby shower is so much fun – you’re not only celebrating with family and friends but also receiving many things from your baby registry.
6 – Buy any baby gear you didn’t receive at your shower.
After your baby shower, you should take inventory of what you have and what you still need. This is the time to pick up anything you didn’t receive at your shower or additional items that you thought of.
7 – Attend a childbirth class and learn about the stages of labor.
This is especially if this is your first baby. It will help you understand what to expect and how you will feel. It can also give you more confidence as you get closer and closer to your due date.
8 – Go on a hospital tour
Although a hospital tour isn’t a requirement, I highly recommend it for first time moms or moms delivering in a new hospital.
The tour will explain exactly what you can expect when you step into the hospital, where you will deliver, what your room will look like and answer any other questions you have.
In my experience, just knowing what to expect relieved a lot of stress!
9 – Pack Your Hospital Bag
It’s always a good idea to pack your hospital bag a few weeks before your due date because you just don’t know when your little one will make an appearance. When the day comes, all you have to do is throw your bag in the car and head out to the hospital!
10 – Get your career or job in order
The third trimester is the time when you should be finalizing your maternity leave plans and wrapping up any big projects at work. How long you take off will depend on a variety of factors including how much time off your company offers, your finances, etc.
If you own your own business, you might consider bringing someone on early so they can get up to speed and handle the day to day tasks while you take time for your postpartum recovery and bonding with your baby.
There are a lot of things to consider so make sure you think through it all before you’re in the hospital delivering your baby!
11 – Take some time for you
This might mean getting extra rest, reading a book or just relaxing. Once you have a baby, it will take some time to get into a routine, which means taking time for you will be a little harder initially. I don’t say this to scare you but it’s the reality of the postpartum period.
Plus, your body is doing hard work during the third trimester and in pregnancy in general so it’s normal for you to feel tired and need a little extra rest and downtime.
12 – Stock up on household items
You probably won’t feel like grocery shopping in the first few weeks so having the basics on hand as it gets close to your due date is very helpful. Think of non food items like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, dish soap, and laundry detergent as well as non perishable food items such as cereal, crackers, rice and pasta, pasta sauce, frozen protein options, etc.
You can also expect family and friends to drop off food and supplies in the first week as well.
Plus if you make a few freezer meals (discussed below) you should be in good shape
13 – Prepare your postpartum recovery kit
Postpartum recovery isn’t a walk in the park by any means. Regardless of how you birthed your baby, there will be a recovery period plus a newborn to take care of.
I highly recommend you:
- Stock up on these postpartum recovery essentials
- Create a baby station on your first floor with diapers, wipes, diaper cream, extra outfits, receiving blankets, a bassinet, etc to avoid having to go up and down the stairs multiple times a day
14 – Stock up on freezer meals
Preparing freezer meals is one of my favorite third trimester tips! It’s never ever too early to start thinking about freezer meals but the third trimester is the perfect time to make a few.
The initial postpartum period or fourth trimester of pregnancy can get a little crazy with sleepless nights, diaper changes and feedings. So whatever you can do or prep during the third trimester to make your life a little easier postpartum is worth it in my book!
Related: 5 Insanely Easy Freezer Meals for New Moms To Make Before Birth
15 – Take a baby sleep class.
This is one of my favorite things and something I’m so passionate about. But don’t worry, I’m not talking about sleep training. Newborns are way too young for sleep training.
If you didn’t take a sleep class during the second trimester of pregnancy, now is the time to take one.
A baby sleep class just gives you the tools to teach your baby the difference between night and day, help them learn how to self soothe, give you confidence about how to approach naps and bedtime and so much more.
My favorites are Taking Cara Babies and Little Z’s Sleep.
16 – Get educated on newborn feeding, whether you choose breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
This will not only give you confidence in the early newborn days but knowing what to expect and the different options that are available can be very helpful.
The first few days to weeks when all your baby will do is eat and sleep can be overwhelming and having some background knowledge about feeding won’t hurt!
Related: Bottle Feeding Tips for New Moms
17 – Educate yourself on what to expect postpartum
For some reason, the postpartum period or fourth trimester of pregnancy isn’t talked about much and you probably won’t see this tip listed on a third trimester to do list.
But in reality, the fourth trimester is a time of so much change with a new baby, postpartum mental health changes and postpartum recovery.
Having an idea of what to expect from the postpartum period, especially as a first time mom, can be extremely helpful in setting expectations and helping you adjust to your new normal.
You can check out a variety of related postpartum blog posts here.
This post was all about the third trimester checklist.