Pregnancy | The Third Trimester Checklist

Throwback to 28 weeks pregnant with Edith

I don’t know how it happened so fast but this last pregnancy is coming to it’s end and I am feeling the push to get things ready for this little ones arrival. My pregnancy with Edith had me preparing months in advance and anxiously waiting her arrival. The weeks ticked by so slowly and by the end we had our short list of names picked, the nursery furnished and decorated, and a stocked fridge and pantry ready for her to arrive at any moment.

With Alder we were way more relaxed but again prepared with the things we needed for his arrival Earth side and meals were prepared in the fridge and we had a line up of a few friends who offered to bring by meals.

This time around however we have two very lengthy lists of baby names, our small home never seems to stay clean and “ready” for the baby (because we all know the baby cares), and overall I just feel a bit anxious (and of course excited) about this babes arrival. 

To help ease the anxiety I have created a list of things still to do to prepare for this babes arrival. 

  • Stock My Pantry
    • Fill with nutritious snacks and easy to make meal ideas for postpartum and for my husband and littles.
    • Make a batch of granola.
    • Organize teas and infusions from The First 40 Days into jars (also buy jars and ingredients for infusions).
    • Prepare labor aid beverages.
    • Have easy snacks and meals prepared for birth (we are doing a home birth so food that is easy for my littles, husband and midwives to each).
  • Fill My Freezer
    • Batch cook broths, soups and hearty stews. <– this one I can almost check off! Today I made immune boosting broth, a kabocha red lentil soup and a batch of quinoa and green lentils that I will cook up with some broth to make a porridge. 
    • Put together some healthy freezer meals for the family like these dairy free stuffed shells that have become a postpartum freezer essential over the years. 
  • Put together easy lunch and dinner meal ideas for my husband 
  • Get this baby to flip —> chiro, acupuncture, spinning babies (taking suggestions)
  • Create My Nest (aka get our room ready for baby)
    • Ask Yourself: What do we need for the space(s) in our home to be comfortable? 
    • A safe place for baby to sleep <– check
    • A chair to bounce/rock baby <– check
    • Diffuser for bedroom <– check
    • New Sheets 
  • Confirm Placenta Encapsulation (need to do this ASAP)
  • Prepare postpartum oils, salves, ect. 
  • Put together my birth kit of essential oils
  • Decide whether or not we she hire a postpartum doula
  • Talk with hubby about the questions that might come up
    • How will we divvy up baby/littles responsibilities?
    • Social Life Expectations – what does this look like?
    • Plan out dates/ways to connect in and out of the house 
    • How can we (I) be more compassionate and gentle especially when lack of sleep and stress come into play? 
    • What postpartum needs/expectations do each of us have? What do we expect from others? 
  • How can I honor myself?
    • Where/how will I fit time into my day/week that is for myself? (ie connecting with other mothers, meditating, fitness, quiet alone time) 

What is/was on your third trimester to do list? Anything you think I might be missing? 

14 Comments

  1. Sounds like you are pretty organized! The last few months fly by but you will totally get it all done before baby arrives. Also what infusions do you like? I would love some ideas!

    Can’t wait for the name reveal, it’s my favourite part 🙂

    • The last few months did fly by and now we are at the baby has the clear to arrive anytime now stage so getting everything done seems a bit more daunting!

      As for a name hopefully we will narrow our list down a bit more in the next week or so!

  2. Regardless of the preparation (or house cleanliness!) level, I’m sure it will always be a bit intimidating to welcome a new baby. But you seem like you’re doing great! Congrats in advance!

  3. Ah, lists are so helpful, especially for big occasions like the birth of your baby! Before each of my kids was born I got a pedicure. In the third trimester I could no longer reach my toes, and it felt SO GOOD to do something nice (and somewhat frivolous) for myself!

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