The Ultimate Third Trimester Checklist

Congratulations! You’ve made it through ⅔ of your pregnancy and your baby will be here before you know it. If that sounds equally terrifying as it does exciting, sis, I feel you! I am currently 37 weeks pregnant and the fact that this baby could come any day now has me in a constant state of anxious excitement.

One of the ways we can reduce this anxiety is to get our lives together using checklists – specifically, a third trimester checklist. There are literally dozens of things we need to do and set in place in order to make the transition from pregnancy to motherhood as smooth as possible. It’s impossible to mentally keep track of it all.

That’s where this blog post comes in. If you’re a mama who needs help getting your life together for this final stretch of your pregnancy, I got you! Keep reading for the ultimate third trimester checklist.

***Note: Scroll to the end of the post for printable Third Trimester Checklist PDF***

**This post contains affiliate links**

Home

1 | Stock up on household essentials

For the first few weeks after you have your baby, you really shouldn’t be up and about, moving around a lot. Not only is caring for a newborn exhausting, recovering from childbirth is a lot of work physically. The trauma your vagina (or abdomen, for c-section mamas) will experience alone is enough to slow you down; but also that placenta that was attached to you and your baby? Yeah, it left behind a dinner plate-sized wound in your abdomen that needs to heal. Translation: you need to be sitting or laying down for the most part for those first few weeks after birth and NOT in the grocery store or at Target buying food and laundry detergent.

Do a large grocery and household essentials haul before the baby gets here to ensure your household doesn’t lack so you can focus on you and your new bundle of joy. If you aren’t able to buy in bulk before baby’s arrival, use grocery and home delivery services like Instacart to deliver essentials directly to you.

2 | Deep clean your home

Sweep and mop the floors. Vacuum and deep clean the rugs and carpets. Wash all linens and curtains. Dust. Deep clean your bathroom(s).

3 | Pay bills in advance and/or automate bill pay

After I had my first baby, there were days I couldn’t remember if I had eaten, much less if I had sent the insurance payment over to Geico. Do yourself a favor and unload this activity from your mental to-do list by either paying a month or two in advance or setting up automatic bill pay.

Car

4 | Deep clean your car

Either do this yourself or have it professionally detailed. You will be grateful you took the time to do it before you’re placing your brand new baby into a dirty vehicle.

5 | Install baby’s car seat

I advocate for having the car seat installed by 37 weeks at the latest. With my last baby, I installed my car seat when I was 37 weeks and 3 days. I went into labor the very next day and was so glad that task was done. It took a lot of reading and re-reading the instructions before we got the seat installed correctly and I can’t imagine having to wrangle that task when I was freshly postpartum.

6 | Make sure your car is in good working order and has gas

You don’t want to be trying to get to the hospital only to find out the car won’t start or you run out of gas on the way. I try to keep my car at at least half a tank or more at all times when my due date is approaching because you never know when it can be go time.

Nursery

7 | Order and assemble all nursery furniture

Build the bassinet, crib, dresser, swing set, etc and place them in the areas you have designated for them. This is also the time to set up and connect your baby monitor.

8 | Hang blackout curtains

In the beginning, a newborn truly can and will sleep through just about anything – including a very bright room. However, as they get older and you want to sleep train, associating darkness with sleep becomes more important. Hang those curtains up so baby can get good uninterrupted sleep and eventually learn that darkness equals rest time.

9 | Organize diaper station and caddy

Wherever you decide your primary diapering station will be, organize all of your diapering essentials in that space (diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, changing pad, etc).

10 | Order nursery organization supplies

This is the time to order and arrange all organization essentials for the nursery. Every mom’s preference is different, but my organization essentials are: a hamper, closet dividers, honeycomb drawer dividers, expandable drawer dividers, plastic bins, soft baskets for blankets and toys, and a storage cube organizer.

Baby

11 | Wash and organize baby clothes

I highly recommend using laundry detergent made specifically for babies or for sensitive skin. Dreft is a fan favorite, but I’ve found that any free and clear detergent will suffice.

12 | Stock up on diapers and wipes

You can never have too many diapers and wipes. Statistics say that a baby will go through about 10 diapers per day on average. That’s a LOT of pee and poop! My rule of thumb is to buy (or register for) boxes of diapers in varying sizes. Don’t worry if you buy too many of one size – many stores like Target or Walmart will allow you to return or exchange unopened boxes of diapers even if you don’t have the original receipt.

13 | Order baby’s birth announcement

I know not every mom cares to be fancy and do an official birth/name announcement, but if you are that mom who likes to add those personal touches, make sure to order baby’s name sign and birth announcement early, especially since these are usually custom items that take time to make and ship.

14 | Book newborn or birth photoshoot

I personally would do this as early in the third trimester as possible. Many newborn and birth photographers get booked out well in advance. Make sure you get on someone’s schedule early so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

15 | Finish buying all newborn essentials

If you haven’t already, now is the time to wrap up shopping for the essentials. Gather all items needed for feeding, clothing, diapering, bathing, transportation, grooming, and health by the time you reach the 36 week milestone.

16 | Pack baby’s diaper bag

Getting this done before your baby gets here will save you time and energy later. Not to mention, it can double as your baby’s hospital bag if you’re birthing in the hospital. I usually include the following in mine at a minimum: diapers, wipes, two changes of clothes, a changing pad, hand sanitizer, burp cloths, bibs, a blanket, pacifiers, disinfecting wipes, and a nursing cover.

Labor and Delivery

17 | Get extra batteries or charge them for cameras

If you plan to capture your birth yourself, having a backup energy source is a must. It would be terrible to lose out on priceless footage because your camera died before you could capture the entire event.

18 | Arrange for childcare

If you are having your baby at the hospital, you will need to arrange for childcare for older siblings as most hospitals don’t allow children in the delivery room. Settle this well in advance with someone you trust.

For home birth, even if your kiddos will be at home with you, finding a sitter to come over who will be assigned to strictly attend to the kids so you and your partner can focus on the delivery is a great idea. You will also want to arrange for backup care in the event you have to be transferred to the hospital for medical intervention.

19 | Make a labor and delivery playlist

What we fill our minds with during labor and delivery has a powerful effect on how we progress through that time. Gather your favorite songs and/or birth affirmations onto a playlist so you’ll have something soothing and empowering to listen to as you bring your baby earthside.

20 | Order home birth kit and set up home birth station

Your midwife should give you a link to purchase your home birth kit online.This kit usually includes all of the medical supplies: umbilical cord clips, gloves, nasal aspirator, underpads, birth pool liner, etc. In addition, she will likely also give you a list of items to buy or gather from the store or around your home: extra linen, blankets, heavy flow pads, towels, and more. Organize everything in a large laundry tote and keep it near the area you will be laboring in the most.

21 | Pack you and baby’s hospital bag

If you’re going to the hospital, you will want to pack all of your postpartum essentials, baby’s clothing and care items, and labor and delivery essentials in advance. There are tons of lists on Google and videos on YouTube that you can use to guide you on what to pack. You will want a bag for you, baby, and your partner.

If you’re doing a home birth, I also suggest packing an emergency hospital bag, just in case an emergency arises that necessitates you being transferred to the hospital.

22 | Finalize your birth plan

Your birth plan communicates to your birth team your wishes and desires for your labor and delivery. It is NOT a concrete roadmap of how things will go (because birth is unpredictable), but it should clearly articulate your wishes for how you would like you and your baby to be treated during and after your labor and delivery. Finalize this plan and make copies to share with your partner, medical providers, doula, and anyone else who will be assisting with the birth.

If you don’t know where to start in creating your plan, Google has plenty of templates. TheBump.com in particular has a pretty good birth planning tool as well.

23 | Create your “going into labor” plan

Answer the following : Who will you call when labor begins? When should you call? Where in the hospital will you check in when it’s time? If your kids are at school when labor starts, who will pick them up? If you go into labor while at work, will you drive yourself home or will a coworker/friend drive you?

Take a tour of the hospital and determine their process for how and where to check in once you’re in labor. If you’re doing a home or birth center birth, ask your midwife when you should call her to get everything in motion.

***For home birth ***

24 | Evaluate your bathtub for water birth; purchase a birth pool if necessary

If having a water birth is important to you, make sure your tub is suitable for birthing. Is it big enough? Get inside and test if you can comfortably spread your legs wide, stretch out, or move freely. If not, purchasing an inflatable pool in advance is the route you’ll want to take.

25 | Stock up on snacks for labor

High protein snacks, Gatorade, and water are great energy sources for labor. Gather more than you think you’ll need and a variety of items so you don’t run out when it’s crunch time.

26 | Set up a home birth kit for your kids

If you plan to have your kid(s) at the birth, make accommodations for them. Create a mini snack and entertainment basket that they can access themselves without having to interrupt you . Include things like their favorite chips, snack packs, juice boxes, bottled water, coloring books, crayons, and a fully charged tablet. Also have quick meals that someone can pop in the microwave for them to eat in case your labor runs long.

Personal

27 | Take care of your beauty/maintenance appointments

Schedule and attend your waxing appointments. Get your hair done in a protective style for the delivery. Set up your last facial, massage, and nail appointments.

28 | Go on a date night or baby moon with your partner

Book a short trip or a special date with your partner for some much needed quality time before your life gets thrown into chaos mode.

Postpartum

29 | Attend a childbirth and newborn care class

Parenting and childbirth are natural, but they do NOT come easy or automatic. Set yourself up for success in your third trimester by proactively learning about what to expect and how to care for your baby once he or she is here.

30 | Prepare freezer meals or arrange for meal delivery

Cooking will be the last thing you want to do when you’re in the thick of caring for a newborn and healing from delivery. Pre-cook and store 2 or 3 meals in the freezer to save yourself some time. You can also have friends and family sign up to bring you meals during those first few weeks. Simply ask who would be willing. You’d be surprised at how many people would love to help you out in this way!

31 | Organize your postpartum kit

Gather all the supplies you will need for your postpartum recovery. Things like: heavy flow pads, extra large underwear, a peri bottle, nipple cream, postpartum leggings, stool softeners, and pain relieving spray are always on the top of my list.

32 | Apply for short term disability and/or maternity leave at work

Make arrangements with your employer ahead of time for your maternity leave (have your partner do the same!). Make a plan for how long you will be gone, who will be taking over your work when you are away, and how much you can expect to be paid while you are out.

For short term disability or FMLA coverage, you will need to submit paperwork completed by you and your healthcare provider, so get on this as early as possible to avoid any delays in your leave being approved and you being paid in a timely manner while you are out of work.

33 | Organize your bedside nursery/postpartum cart

One of my postpartum must-haves is hands down a cart with new baby essentials. This cart serves as a one-stop shop for all you and baby’s immediate needs. I usually keep things like diapering essentials, pacifiers, hand sanitizer, breastfeeding and pumping supplies, receiving blankets, a thermometer, and a baby first aid/medicine kit on my cart, but each mama will have her own set of necessities she wants to keep nearby. Stock your cart in a way that makes the most sense for you and your baby.

Breastfeeding

34 | Attend a breastfeeding class

These classes are usually included in newborn and childbirth classes, but there are some that are standalone. Here, you learn breastfeeding tips, breastfeeding positions, how to troubleshoot issues, and so much more. You will also typically receive information about local breastfeeding support.

35 | Order your free breast pump through insurance

Most insurance companies now offer free manual and/or electric breast pumps, which can save you a couple hundred dollars or more. There are several companies that will facilitate you ordering your breast pump and filing the claim with your insurance. Simply Google “free breast pump through insurance” and select the company that you are most comfortable with, I personally have used Aeroflow during both pregnancies and have had no issues.

36 | Have a plan to troubleshoot if breastfeeding is a struggle

In a perfect world, every baby would latch onto the breast perfectly with no problem and find an abundance of milk waiting for them. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Some babies have issues latching on due to tongue or lip ties; or maybe mom’s nipples are inverted, milk supply is low, or some other issue arises.

In these cases, it is best to have a backup plan. Buy formula in case you need to supplement while you and baby get the hang of breastfeeding. Look up lactation consultants in your area that are (preferably) covered by your insurance so you know who to call if you need help.

37 | Sanitize bottles, pacifiers, and breast pump parts

Take anything that will come in contact with baby’s mouth or food supply and wash and sanitize it thoroughly. No need to buy a fancy steam sterilizer; simply boiling the items on the stove for 5 minutes is enough to get the job done.

38 | Join a breastfeeding support group

This can be done online or in person. Facebook is overflowing with breastfeeding groups, but I will warn you that many of them give conflicting or downright erroneous information. I would stick to groups that are run by international board certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) and that are evidenced-based. If you are a black woman, the Facebook group “Breastfeeding Support Group for Black Moms” is a treasure trove of good information and tips for breastfeeding. I honestly credit the group with taking us from struggling to nurse in my daughter’s first few weeks, to breastfeeding her for an entire 18 months.

If you are not a black mom, don’t feel excluded! The La Leche League organization is an amazing resource for moms of all ethnicities. They have local chapters that meet in person and online and their site is chock full of valuable information and resources to help you reach your breastfeeding goals.

Preparing for a new baby can be overwhelming. Use this checklist to get organized and prepared without all of the extra anxiety. To access the printable PDF, click on the image below!