You’ve been waiting for what seems like forever, but finally you’re in your third trimester and your September baby’s arrival is just now a few short weeks away.
Wait, what!? All of a sudden you feel like you’re running out of time to be prepared and that nesting instinct is well and truly kicking in!
What’s left to do in your third trimester?
Pack your hospital bag
Firstly, if you haven’t packed your hospital bag yet, you definitely need to have that ready now. The due date you’re given is only an estimate as I’m certain you already know. You’re feeling tired, swollen and sore – but the last thing you need is the added of stress of not having a ready-to-go hospital bag when your contractions start.
Get your car seat ready for baby
It’s sensible to have a dry run of installing the baby seat in the car. When it’s time to bring your baby home, you definitely don’t want to be faffing about with the instructions in the hospital car park!! It’s also a good idea to store the car seat in your car now if you can.
Fill up your freezer with easy to prepare meals
Stock the freezer. You are not going to feel like cooking, not to mention have the time, once you bring your baby home. It makes sense to stock up your freezer with pre-portioned meals to last you for at least a couple of weeks after baby arrives. Also it’s a great idea to have snacks about as you’ll find you won’t be able to have regular meals. You’ll be busy changing nappies, feeding and burping the little angel. And let’s not forget the worry you’ll have all the time! So make sure you can grab a snack when you’re feeling hungry to keep your energy levels up. It’s just as important you look after yourself mama as well as baby.
Invest in a great quality sling
Buy a sling for you and baby. You’ll probably use a sling much more than you expect – they’re especially useful in the first few weeks. Honestly, just speak to other moms who went for a sling. They found they has two arms free once again! Whilst baby is nestled into your chest, soothed by your heartbeat, you can snack, wash up, prepare bottles.
Treat yourself to a pamper session
Book a pamper session or mini moon. This is your last chance for you and your hubby/ partner to be a couple before your baby arrives so take full advantage. Even if it’s only to book yourself a pampering session at a salon. And with that, enjoy a home-cooked meal or a delicious takeaway. You’ll struggle to find the peace of mind and time to cook a meal from scratch when your newborn baby arrives. It’s the little things you’ll miss while you’ll also absolutely love holding you bundle of joy.
Get yourself a haircut
Get a haircut. It’s harder than you think to have your haircut once you have a baby who needs you 24/7. Book your trim for just before your due date and that should give you enough time to get into some sort of routine before your next trim is due!
Finish work and get ready for your new “job”
Finish work. Tying up all of your loose ends at work is very satisfying – especially when you know you won’t be back for at least a few months. But it can also be stressful so ask for help at work if you need it. Wind down from work and prepare yourself for your new full-time role, being a wonderful mama who gets to see her little one grow, smile, laugh, sit and crawl – every moment is precious.
Prepare sleeping arrangements for baby
Organise sleeping arrangements. Aside from when your newborn baby will fall asleep on you, they’ll need somewhere safe to sleep when you’re tired and need to catch up on some much needed rest yourself. Whether you’ve chosen a moses basket, a next to me or you’re going to co-sleep, having your sleeping arrangement sorted for when you bring your baby home is vital.
Book your next health visitor appointment
Prepare for your Health Visitor appointment. Many new mams don’t realise your health visitor now arranges to call to your home to meet you before your baby is born. They’ll want to have a look at where baby will be sleeping and basically support you to ensure you have everything ready. Be prepared!
Finalise your birth plan
Finalise your birth plan. Of course, you can’t be guaranteed the birth that you hope for, but having a birth plan can help you to stay focused during your labour.
Book your newborn baby portraits
Book your Newborn Portraits! If you haven’t done this yet, don’t wait until your baby arrives as your chosen photographer may be fully booked and unable to accommodate you. If you would like Village Photography to capture your babies 1st professional images please call Judith on 07947153935 and we can discuss your requirements, we do a beautiful “short & sweet” session which is perfect if you just want a few images of your beautiful newborn baby!
I hope my list has helped you to tick off the final few ‘to-do’s’ before your baby arrives. Good luck for the imminent arrival of your baby and we hope it all goes to plan for you.