Third Trimester Checklist (and a free printable)

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You’ve made it through the first trimester, flown through the second… now you’re waddling your way into the third.

With baby’s arrival right around the corner, this final stage is all about wrapping things up and preparing to meet your adorable new baby.

At this point, you’re probably wondering…

What should you do in your third trimester?

This checklist will help you prepare!

third trimester checklist, third trimester to-do list

Pack your hospital bag

First up on your third trimester to-do list? Making sure your hospital bag is all packed and ready to go.

(Don’t forget baby’s homecoming outfit!)

The third trimester can be unpredictable. Sometimes baby shows up 2 weeks before your due date. Sometimes it’s a few days after.

Once your bags are packed, keep them close by just in case!

Prepping for a c-section? Here’s what to pack.

Make some meals for later

Next, prep some meals now so that you won’t have to stress over dinner later.

Cooking probably won’t be on your radar while you’re adjusting to life with a newborn. And fast food will drain your wallet in a hurry.

There are endless inexpensive and delicious make ahead meals that will make your life much easier while you’re recovering.

Stock up on household items

Since you won’t be going grocery shopping for a little while, it’s also a good idea to stock up on other household items right now too.

Think about the things you typically have to make a quick trip to the store for.

Things like dishwashing liquid, toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, laundry detergent, etc.

Wash baby’s clothes and linens

Speaking of laundry detergent– Do you have baby’s clothes all clean and ready?

At the bare minimum, you’ll need to have a few blankets, burp cloths, and at least 2 clean sheets ready.

Need some ideas for organizing all of baby’s belongings? Try these!

Sterilize baby bottles and breast pump

As far as washing and cleaning goes…

Sterilize all baby bottles, pacifiers, and also your breast pump + accessories if you plan to use one.

Install the car seat

Next, I highly recommend installing baby’s car seat way before it’s time to head to the hospital.

That way, you can strap baby in and head home right away after you’ve been released from the hospital.

Don’t forget to assemble the rest of your baby gear while you’re at it!

Prepare for postpartum recovery

Have you picked up the essentials you’ll need for recovery?

You’ll definitely want to have enough maternity/heavy flow pads to last and comfy clothes (including high waisted underwear if you’re having a c-section) to wear.

Having a c-section? These are the essentials you’ll need.

Prepare for breastfeeding

If you plan to breastfeed, don’t forget to stock up on the breastfeeding essentials you’ll need too. Things like

Also set aside some time to read up on the best breastfeeding tips for getting a good latch, etc. This can be tricky for new moms.

Purchase last-minute baby items

Do you have everything you need for baby? If not, this is the perfect time to purchase the remaining things you’ll need.

A couple things you may have forgotten about:

Cotton swabs and alcohol for umbilical care
Gas relief drops
Diaper rash ointment
A baby book!

Get serious about baby names

Have you decided on baby’s name yet?

If you already have the perfect name pick out, that’s great! But if you haven’t, time to start narrowing down your options. 🙂

Sign up for a childbirth class

The hospital you’re using probably offers free classes you can sign up for, but online classes are a great option as well if you’re short on time.

If you’d rather go the online class route, this is the childbirth class I recommend– You’ll learn everything from pain management to newborn care.

Download a contraction tracker app

Next, a contraction tracker app will help you keep track of your contractions so you’ll know exactly when/if you should head to the hospital.

Very useful to have in your third trimester pregnancy!

Wrap up maternity leave plans

And, of course, wrap up allll maternity plans.

Do you plan on returning to work? Are you considering NOT going back to work at all?

(If you are planning on transitioning to a stay-at-home mom, these are my best SAHM tips— Pin them for later!)

Let your employer know about your plans if you haven’t already. And if you’re already a SAHM, that’s one less thing to worry about! 🙂

Make plans for your other children and/or pets

If you have other children or you’re a pet parent, you’ll need to make plans for them as well.

Who will care for them while you’re in the hospital? What about while you’re recovering?

Declutter, clean, and organize!

That urge to clean and organize like a madwoman? They call it nesting.

Your third trimester is the perfect time to finally clean your messy house and finish organizing allll the baby clothes, products, and more. Just don’t overdo it! 🙂

Choose a pediatrician

Finally, you’ll need to select a pediatrician for your new baby.

If this is your first child, don’t fret. You can do the majority (if not all) of your research on Google and Facebook.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask around if you have friends or family with younger kids.