3rd Trimester: Weeks 28 to 42
Wow, you're ALMOST there! As you may be growing uncomfortable and anxious during these last few weeks, let's dive into the last few crucial things to check off your list. It's all about "nesting and resting" during the 3rd trimester!
1. REST
This goes straight to the top of the list! Your body is working overtime right now and conserving your energy is priority #1. While it is important to be active for your health and the health of your baby (unless you are on medical bed rest), it's just as equally great to simply rest - Mind, Body, and Spirit!
2. Tour Your Hospital
If you're choosing to have a hospital birth, be sure to tour the birthing unit with your partner. I recommend making a simple list of questions you may have in the weeks leading up to the tour. If you need help, ask your doula for question ideas! You can also ask the staff member if it's okay for you to snap a picture of the empty room you're touring so you can remember details about it.
3. Have a Baby Shower
One of the more fun activities for your 3rd trimester is having your baby shower! As a seasoned mom and doula, I have ONE huge recommendation for after your baby shower: Take what you do not want or need BACK. Yep, I said it. Take it back! I will not hurt (most) people's feelings and it will save you so much time and trouble in the future.
4. Set Up Your Nursery
Now that you have most of what you need, it's time to set it up. In the early days and weeks have a changing station and place for the baby to nap in your main living space. You will all be spending quite a bit of time there. While you're hard at it, set up a nursing station close by your favorite spot to rest and relax at home. Include these essentials:
Nursing Pads
Nipple Balm
Burp Clothes
Snacks
Water
Chap-Stick
Hair Ties or Clip
Phone Charger
Haakaa (Optional)
5. Take MORE Classes
If there are two classes you should really invest in while you're pregnant it is a really great breastfeeding class and an infant CPR course. Most hospitals offer infant CPR lessons for a very reasonable price and it's usually a one-day class. For breastfeeding, spend a little more time researching to find the BEST class in your area. Especially if this is your first time breastfeeding or had a hard time breastfeeding in the past.
Related Post: Early Labor Guided (+Free Printable)
6. Install the Car Seat
Be sure to do this one! By 36 weeks, have the car seat and base properly installed and checked out by your local fire department. You won't be able to take your baby or babies home until you have it installed. There are monthly car seat inspection events at local fire stations, baby depot stores, and parks. Check your community for inspections near you!
7. Write Your Birth Plan
If you haven't already had your wishes and preferences for labor and delivery on paper, now is the time. I highly recommend everyone have a birth plan!
Here is a simple list of categories that many birth plans have:
Support Team
Environment
Medication
Movement & Monitoring
Nutrition
Pushing
Birth
Newborn Needs
Unforeseen Circumstances
8. Plan for Postpartum
One way to have a wonderful recovery period is by planning ahead. Get all the essentials like pads, Earth Mama Angel Baby bottom spray, black panties, witch hazel, nursing bras, etc. Check out this post for a more detailed postpartum list.
Some other ways to plan are:
Arranging Sibling Care
Arranging Pet Care
Have Help for New Mom, Dad, & Baby Care
Setting Up a Meal Train
Meal Prep
9. Find A Pediatrician
While it's not a requirement, it does reduce some of the postpartum stress to find the perfect pediatrician before your baby arrives. Most babies will need to be seen by their pediatrician within the first week of life. Sore, engorged, and sleep-deprived is not the best time to make try to tackle this task.
10. Have A Blessingway
A "Blessingway" is a traditional Navajo celebration focusing solely on the expecting mama! Only inviting the closest women in their life, the soon-to-deliver mom is given gifts, read positive birth stories, fed nutritious food, her feet are washed and her hair braided before a flower crown is placed on top of her head. Blessingways are also symbolic. They represent the journey all new mothers embark on and the many women who stand by her side for support during this transition. It represents the opening of the gate known as labor and the expecting mother's readiness to cross over into motherhood.
Related Post: 7 Awe-Inspiring Stages of Labor
Namastè Friends