Third trimester checklist: Getting ready for your baby

The 3rd trimester can be an exciting time — after all, it won’t be long until you meet your baby. But there’s also a lot to think about, especially if you’re a first-time parent and you’re not quite sure what to expect. We’ve got you covered with our guide to preparing for your newborn’s arrival.

Key takeaways

• Childbirth classes are a good way to get information on what to expect and how to manage labor. Plus, meeting other parents-to-be can be a great source of support, especially considering their babies will be born at a similar time to yours.
• Be prepared — your baby could arrive earlier than expected! So, get your hospital bag packed a few weeks before your due date.
• Research any decisions you may need to make, such as how to manage labor pain, and note your choices in your birth plan.
• Try to tell the difference between essential and nice-to-have baby items. You’ll need to buy some things now, but others are less important.
• Learn to monitor your baby’s movements, and have a chat with your doctor if you have any worries.
• Combine getting as much rest as you need with some gentle movement (whatever you can manage) during the 3rd trimester. It’s common to feel tired, so try to do what you can to put yourself and your baby first.
• Sign up for Flo’s pregnancy tracking app to guide you through every detail of your pregnancy.

Take childbirth and baby care classes

Pregnancy can come with mixed emotions all the way through. And as you approach the end, it’s normal to feel nervous as well as excited. In fact, over half of women experience anxiety symptoms in the later stages of pregnancy. You’ll likely have all sorts of thoughts running through your mind around this time. Questions like “What do contractions feel like?” or “How do I take care of a newborn baby?” are very common. You might find that taking childbirth classes helps you to have a clearer picture of what’s coming.

“Classes cover different topics, including the best ways to relieve pain and discomfort,” explains Dr. Charlsie Celestine, obstetrician and gynecologist, New Jersey, US. “Understanding more about the process can help to ease some of the anxiety, especially for first-time parents.”

And if there isn’t a class you can get to? “Live classes and recorded sessions are available online,” says Dr. Celestine. “Whatever kind of class you join, make sure it’s led or offered by a hospital [or a well-known organization]. Your doctor or hospital may be able to recommend some.”

Pack your hospital bag

“In a full-term pregnancy, your baby could come any time from 37 weeks onward,” says Dr. Celestine. “Have your [hospital] bag packed from around then so you can grab it quickly, or someone else can pick it up if you can’t get home.” 

What should go in your bag will vary, depending on your personal situation, what country you’re in, and what your hospital or birth center provides (you could ask if they have their own packing checklist). But here are a few of the essentials:

For you:

• Any paperwork you need 
• Comfortable post-birth underwear and nursing bras (if you plan to breastfeed)
• A few pairs of socks to keep your feet warm during labor
• Nightgown, fresh pajamas, and robe
• Slippers 
• Going-home clothes that fit you at around 6 months pregnant
• Toiletries, such as toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, and shampoo
• Nursing pads
• Any medications
• Mobile phone and charger
• Anything you plan to use during labor, such as a TENS unit, a playlist, a birthing ball, battery-operated tealights, etc.

For baby:

• Infant car seat and head support, plus the instructions
• A few first outfits (you might want to pack a couple of size options since you won’t know how big or small your baby will be until it’s born)
• A hat, booties/socks, blankets for swaddling
• Diapers and wipes for newborns
• Mittens

Ready to start making your list? Take a look at our dedicated hospital bag checklist for some help.

Put together your birth plan

A birth plan includes your preferences for labor, birth, and the postpartum period, and our birth plan template walks you through the different things you might want to consider. But remember to treat it as a guide, not a set of rules. “Nobody can predict or control how childbirth will go, and there may be medical reasons that doctors need to [suggest] overriding your wishes,” says Dr. Celestine. 

Your plan should cover decisions you may have to make during labor. “For example, what pain management do you want, and what are your labor mobility preferences? Do you want a birthing ball in your room? Which positions would you prefer, and what interventions would you have?” Dr. Celestine suggests. Read about the stages of labor to help you start thinking. 

A plan should also include your choices for the period immediately after the birth, too, “like your feeding preferences and whether you want your baby to have antibiotics after delivery,” says Dr. Celestine. “In the United States, a newborn needs to be seen by a pediatrician within 24 to 48 hours of leaving the hospital, so you’ll need to have a doctor picked out in advance.”

She recommends researching your birthing options so you can figure out what’s right for you. “This is a good time to look into hypnobirthing and other pain management options and research feeding, for example. Your doctor or obstetrician and gynecologist should be able to direct you to credible information and answer your questions.”

Continue tracking your baby’s movements

You’ll have been getting familiar with your baby’s activity since you first noticed them moving in your uterus (also known as quickening). And it’s really important to pay particular attention to their patterns as you approach the end of your pregnancy.

“In the 3rd trimester, you should keep feeling movements around the same time when the baby’s awake and active. But they may not feel as strong as they did in the 2nd [trimester] because by now, the baby’s almost outgrown their space and can’t move around as much,” says Dr. Celestine. 

If your baby doesn’t seem to be active at the usual times, try kick counting, says Dr. Celestine. “The recommendations vary, but generally, you sit in a quiet place, eat or drink something cold or sweet to try to wake the baby, then place your hands on your belly and note how many movements you feel in one hour.” 

Around 10 is considered normal, but it may take longer than an hour to get to that number, or you may feel fewer than 10 kicks — this doesn’t mean there’s anything to worry about. Follow your medical team’s guidance on kick counts, and if you’re worried, contact them. It’s best to get checked out for peace of mind.

Connect with other parents

“Having a baby is a full-body experience and emotionally demanding, too,” says Dr. Celestine. “Connecting with other parents-to-be can really help — you can share your experiences of how you’re feeling and what’s helpful. Aside from practical tips, it can be so useful to chat with others who can listen and understand.”

One way to connect with other parents is through prenatal classes. But you can also use Flo’s friendly Secret Chats space, where you can start conversations and hear from others who are at a similar stage in pregnancy. Sign up for the Flo app now.

Finish the nursery

For the first few months, your baby will sleep in your room, so there’s no pressure to finish the nursery right away. However, it can be nice to get it done in the run-up to their arrival if you have the time and energy. You’ll need some key items, which may include:

• A soft-sided crib or cradle
• A firm mattress
• Two or three thin baby blankets
• Three to four sets of bed linens
• A baby monitor 
• A changing table
• A wardrobe or dresser for their clothes

Buy baby essentials

We get it — outfits for newborns are seriously cute. But there’s no need to go overboard with shopping, says Dr. Celestine. “At first, your baby’s going to be at home most of the time, so they’ll just need a few onesies,” she says. “They’ll also need somewhere safe to sleep, like a crib or bassinet, and an infant seat for the car.” 

Another essential to buy ahead of giving birth is a stroller so you can get out of the house with your baby when you feel ready. You’ll also need diapers, wipes, and bottles (plus a way to sterilize them) if you plan to use them. But there’s no need to stockpile lots in advance. You won’t know exactly what works best, so it can be worth seeing what you and your baby need. For example, says Dr. Celestine, “If you’re going to use bottles, try a trial pack with a few different types. Babies can be really picky, so don’t stock up until you know which type they’ll use.” 

Don’t feel pressured to buy everything now. “A newborn really doesn’t need much apart from you,” says Dr. Celestine. “Talk to friends and family members about what they found most useful in those early days.” 

Rest and prepare for parenthood

Ultimately, the most important thing to do in your final trimester is to continue looking after yourself. It’s a good idea to build in some gentle movement if you feel up to it, so you’re keeping your body active in the lead-up to birth. You could try walking, swimming, or yoga.

But it’s also important to have plenty of downtime. “Prioritize rest, especially if you’re not getting extended periods of sleep because you can’t get comfortable,” says Dr. Celestine. “Take naps during the day, if possible.” If you have any concerns or questions, always talk to a health care professional who can give you extra support.  

You can follow all aspects of your pregnancy with Flo’s pregnancy-tracking app. Whether it’s the pregnancy week-by-week guide you find most useful, our yoga guide tailored to your trimester, or the community of people in Secret Chats, Flo can be your pregnancy guide through every stage.