The countdown has started. You’re over half-way there. So, you have made it through the queasy months, the burst of energy of the second trimester and are now ready to waddle your way through the third. If you have been following our second-trimester pregnancy to-do list, you are well ahead.
By now, your baby is around the size of a cauliflower, making you look like a proper pregnant person, rather than someone who ate the last doughnut.
Your pregnancy due date is rapidly approaching, and you’ll find that seems to be the only topic of conversation right now. Little old ladies just love bumps. Let them have their moment and bask in their attention. Before you know it, your baby has turned into a screaming toddler, and strangers aren’t all that keen in engaging with you and your offspring.
If you have gone through pregnancy to-do list for your first trimester and our pregnancy to-do list for your second trimester, you will feel quite prepared at this stage. All that’s left is to tie up loose ends. If you haven’t, don’t worry. There is still time before the baby comes. It just means you might have to offload some stuff to your nearest and dearest.
Super simple month by month pregnancy to-do list for your third trimester
Month 7 of your pregnancy to-do list
1. Plan your birth plan
- This sounds way more daunting than it is. It’s basically a simple outline of how you would like to give birth. It should include labor preference, pain management, and delivery preference. If you’re a control freak, you can make this as detailed as you want to add the kind of music to be played during birth and whether someone will be there to record your lady bits in all their glory for posterity.
For the record, I didn’t write one. I had a vague idea of what I wanted the first time around, but when it happened everything just went far too fast. The thought of bringing in a laminated birth plan would have been unthinkable, so don’t worry about it too much.
2. Organize yourself
- Pack your hospital bag. By now you have probably received a list from your local health care provider. Rather than traipse through all the shops as I did, try and get most of it online. You will be in and out of shops once the little one comes, so if you can avoid them, do.
- Have a look at your list of essentials and see which items you can borrow from friends. Most people are only delighted to pass on hand-me-downs, and this means you can spend your money on those cute little Nikes you fancy. Yay!
- Anything you need new put them down for your baby registry. That might sound a bit greedy, but it saves your friends having to wonder what to get you, and you won’t get stuck with ten tiny knitted hats.
3. Relax and mind yourself
- Try and fit in time to relax and do nothing. You might get more tired, and you’ll appreciate empty time where you haven’t scheduled anything in your diary.
- Feeling stressed? Book in a pregnancy massage. You won’t regret this. There are so many benefits. A massage given by a qualified massage therapist can reduce stress hormones in your body by relaxing and loosening your muscles. Also, it can relieve pregnancy symptoms such as joint pain, pregnant insomnia, leg cramping, and neck and back pain, and it may even lift any depressive feelings you might be having.
4. Capture your glow
- If you want to preserve your glow & lustrous hair for posterity, then book yourself a pregnancy photoshoot. Let’s be honest about it, you won’t feel this fantastic about yourself just after the baby arrives, so enjoy this feeling while you can. Besides, your toddler will be stunned; he was ever just a bump.
Month 8 of your pregnancy to-do list
1. Baby shower time!
- So hopefully, your friends have done their best and organized a lovely day for you. Relax and enjoy being the center of attention of all your loved ones.
2. Stock up like there’s no tomorrow
- Now your shower is done and your gifts unwrapped; it’s time to make a final stock of everything you still need to get. Get buying and borrowing now.
- Stock up on nursing pads for any early leakages. To minimize your risk of getting thrush, look out for breathable ones. Be kind to our planet and buy the non-disposable ones.
- Buy baby oil, water wipes, cotton wool buds, and other baby-related products.
3. Laundry won’t always be this much fun
- Once you have all the right sheets and clothes for baby, put them through a gentle wash. Washed fabric will be much more comfortable on your baby’s skin. If you’re hanging them out on the line, don’t forget to take a few snaps. It might seem hard to get your head around now, but, like their owner, baby’s clothes will grow far too quickly.
4. Baby’s nursery
- Complete the nursery or the little nook in your bedroom where your baby will make her home. If you are any way superstitious, you might not feel comfortable kitting out a full nursery, until your baby has arrived home. That’s fine.
It’s just handy to know what you will need or want, so you can order it when you have a healthy baby to take home with you. A quick tip: don’t waste your money on a changing table. It’s much safer to change baby on the ground on a soft mat. That way, you won’t ever have to worry about baby rolling over and falling off. Trust me, it happens!
5. Cook up a storm
- If you have the energy, try cooking a few meals you can keep in the freezer. Or else batch cook (mashed) potatoes, healthy soups, and pasta sauces. They will be a lifesaver when you crave something hearty when the baby has arrived, yet you can’t face cooking from scratch. Even better, outsource this job to your partner; you have enough to be doing waiting for your little bundle to meet you.
- If you’re planning on breastfeeding, check your ingredients first. While you might enjoy a chicken vindaloo, your baby could disagree.
6. Relax and put your feet up
- Take time to relax, you’ll need the down time.
Month 9 of your pregnancy to-do list
1. Name that child
- Yes, the time has come to settle on a top-three (for both genders if you want the surprise, or unisex if you prefer to follow this latest baby-naming trend). If you can’t agree on this, try to strike a deal with your partner on this where both of you get to veto only three options each suggests. You’d be surprised at how quickly this eliminates outlandish suggestions.
- If you’d like some feedback on your chosen name, but prefer not to get your aunty Mary’s opinion, then why not sound out your moniker on Mumsnet or Babycenter
2. Essentials for your hospital bag
- Make sure you pack a few snacks and magazines/books. Believe me, you might only be cradling your newborn at night just when they have stopped serving dinner. And you will be dog tired, but so hungry. This is one time that only chocolate will do.
Also, giving birth for the first time is such a rollercoaster ride; you will be wired to the moon afterward. If you are too tired to sleep, reading can be a great way to wind down if the baby is sleeping right beside you. So bring a book or magazines, to save you from scrolling your Insta feed.
3. Don’t forget
- Make sure you have a list handy with names and contact details of whom to contact once baby arrives.
- Fit the car seat; you’ll be glad you’ve done this in time.
- If you have other children or pets, organise for some one to take care of them.
- Be like Ross from Friends and do a few practice runs to the hospital. Find out the fastest routes without too much traffic.
And finally…
- Time to put your feet up and relax. If you have followed up on all the tasks from our pregnancy to-do list for the third trimester, you’re all organized and good to go. The size of your baby is now a small watermelon, and it’s time for her to come out and meet her amazing mum.
- However, if you have been feeling anxious, please read our post on feeling anxious when pregnant.
