Ready, Steady, Nest! Our tried and tested Third Trimester Checklists are designed to support you through this final stage of pregnancy and take away some of the mental load of planning for your baby.
You’re almost there, Mama. The day you meet your baby is fast approaching (I’ll be honest, it can feel like it slows down a little from here) and it’s time to start getting prepared.
You may be wondering… what do you *actually* need to do before the baby arrives?
It may look overwhelming glancing at the below. Still, we assure you that nesting mode will soon arrive and you’ll begin to crave preparation: Preparing your home, preparing for birth, preparing for your baby and preparing for postpartum.
We’ve put together a helpful third-trimester checklist to ensure you feel supported and get you started on your season of preparing.
In this article.
This article is written from a mother’s perspective and should not be read as professional advice. It may also feature affiliate links. We recommend you read our full disclaimer
Third Trimester To-do Lists
Nesting 101: Preparing Your Home
Nesting can be known as the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your baby.
Many mums have noted the sudden urge to clean everything inside out and re-organise the pantry/cupboards.
I remember feeling incredibly tired and sore, thinking there was no way I would feel like ticking off my enormous list.
Sure enough, nesting kicked in and I found myself deep-cleaning everything head to toe and repacking my hospital bag over and over.
Here are a few suggestions for how to prepare your home, when you find yourself nesting.
- Set up a first-aid kit with all the essentials for your baby
- Baby-proof the house
- Declutter your spaces
- Deep clean each room in the house
- Stock and organise the pantry
- Stock and organise the Fridge
- Set up the nursery
- Create a safe baby toy/play area
- Clean out your car
- Get your postpartum wardrobe ready
Preparing for Birth: Physically, Practically and Mentally.
Preparing for labour and birth is an important time in your pregnancy. Birth can sometimes be referred to as a marathon due to the mental and physical endurance some women experience.
We wanted to share a few ways you can feel prepared for birth: mentally, physically and practically.
Physical Preparations for Birth:
- Consider Prenatal Yoga
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Stay active for optimal baby positioning
- Begin Perineal Massage (35 weeks/ consult your midwife )
- Drink Raspberry Leaf Tea (32 weeks/consult your midwife)
- Use a birth ball
Mental Preparations for Birth
- Read your labour and birth mantras
- Listen/read positive birth stories
- Priorities moments of rest
- Listen to Hynobirthing affirmations
- Read positive birth books
- Schedule time for yourself
See also: 10 books to read in pregnancy
Practical Preparations for Birth :
- Download a Hospital Bag Packing List
- Download Contractions app
- Hire a TENS machine (if wanting)
- Create a labour + birth playlist
- Create your birth plan
- Research the signs and stages of labour (or register for a course like Power Birth online)
- Attend antenatal classes
- Discuss how your support person will support you during labour and delivery
- Tour your hospital/make a plan for where to park
- Pack your hospital bags
- Add a labour tub to your car boot
- If you have other children, plan their care plan for when you go to the hospital.
Preparing for Baby To-Do List
- Install baby car seat
- consider baby CPR/ first aid course
- Wash babies clothes
- Set up your baby drawers and/or Nappy caddy
- Create a breastfeeding station
- Finish off Babies Nursery
- Consider a newborn photography session
- Tick off your must-have shopping lists
- Decide on Babies name
- Set up bassinet
Read Also: Breastfeeding Essentials + Preparing a Station
Preparing for Postpartum
One of the most important parts of preparation.
Postpartum is an enormous adjustment for new mothers (and seasoned mothers) but planning ahead can make all the difference.
We recommend ensuring you’ve considered your recovery, how to navigate visitors, breastfeeding (if applicable) and postpartum depletion.
Here are some of our favourite ways to prepare:
Preparing for Recovery Postpartum
- Make a plan for rest with your loved ones
- Tick off your postpartum essentials shopping list
- Stock your bathroom with your recovery kit (vaginal birth)
Preparing for postpartum depletion
- Ensure you have a good vitamin
- Read the first 40 days or other postpartum recovery books
- Stash the freezer with nourishing snacks
- Make sure you have water books and a hydration plan
- organise a food delivery service or meal train with loved ones
- book in with your dr for postpartum bloodwork
Preparing for visitors
- Discuss with your partner the rules around visitors
- Message visitors with any requests re vaccinations, rules around kissing etc.
- Set a limit for how many visitors and length of stay before the baby arrives.
Preparing for Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Set up your breastfeeding station
- tick off your breastfeeding supplies checklist
- Express colostrum and store in the freezer (check with a health professional first)
Third Trimester Checklist Printable
Final Thoughts: Third Trimester Checklists
We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge how mentally and physically tough this final part of pregnancy may feel. It is important to note that some women may experience a decline in their mental health during the last months/weeks of pregnancy. The last trimester is a significant time of change and anticipation, which can take a toll on some women.
While it is common to experience mood swings due to shifts in hormones, increased exhaustion and physical discomfort, it is also important to tune in to how you’re feeling, know the signs of Antenatal Depression and how to seek help if you need it.
Know the signs: An article by Raising Children on Antenatal Depression
Where to go for help?
-Speak with your midwife or care provider
-Contact PANDA on 1300 726 306
–COPE
– Support for HG at Hyperemesis Australia
-MumSpace Antenatal & Postnatal Depression Support
-Seek support from loved ones.
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Postpartum Essentials
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