[5 MIN READ]
In this article:
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Counting down the days until your baby’s due date may make you anxious. Tackling some to-dos can help you feel more prepared.
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Addressing priorities like your health, hospital prep and work leave in advance will help ensure that when your baby’s ready, you are, too.
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Just remember that all the preparation in the world may not help you feel ready — and that’s OK.
Your pregnancy and hospital checklist: What to do now to prepare for your baby’s arrival
You’ve dreamed of your baby’s birth for months now: that moment when you get to see their face for the first time and hear their first cry. Yet as you enter your third trimester, it’s time to get out of your head and start making some concrete plans.
Tackling to-dos before you reach the big day can help you feel prepared, says Dafna Trites, D.O., a Providence OB-GYN at Facey Medical Group in Tarzana, California, so you’re ready when the baby comes.
Your health checklist
There’s a reason why prenatal care focuses not just on your baby’s health during pregnancy but also on your own. Regular prenatal care helps detect any health concerns or pregnancy complications early, reducing serious risks for both mom and baby, and supporting a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Plus, studies have linked a mother’s nutritional and mental health to a child’s long-term growth and overall wellness.
Get up to date on vaccines
In addition to regular prenatal care, you can help yourself stay healthy during pregnancy by making sure you have all your recommended vaccines.
If flu season is around the corner, for example, schedule your annual flu vaccine. Getting the flu shot is especially important when you’re pregnant because you’re more susceptible to complications like pneumonia. Also, if you have a severe case of the flu, it can affect your baby in ways like an increased risk of preterm birth and low birthweight.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s safe to receive inactive vaccines like the flu shot, COVID-19 and Tdap — the vaccine that protects you from the bacterial infections tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) — during pregnancy.
Still, you should avoid certain virus vaccines, like MMR (the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine), while you’re pregnant. Your doctor can help you understand which vaccines are safe, and which vaccines are right for you, when you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Keep moving
Staying on top of your health before baby arrives also means you should keep up with light exercise (as long as it’s approved by your doctor, of course). Practicing prenatal yoga or taking frequent walks can reduce your stress, improve your mood and even help you sleep — an important benefit when your new family member likely won’t be letting you do much of that soon.
Your hospital checklist
It may feel surreal to think that you’ll soon be welcoming your new little one into the world, but knowing where you’ll be for labor and delivery can help put some of your worries to rest.
Taking a tour of the maternity unit at the hospital where you’ll deliver can help you visualize your baby’s arrival, making everything a little more focused (and a little more real).
You can also register at the hospital where you’ll be delivering in advance. Pre-registering can help the hospital admit you quickly and efficiently when you arrive, so you can meet your baby as soon as possible.
In addition, Dr. Trites says this is a good time to consider the pros and cons of cord blood banking, which preserves vital stem cells that can be used to help treat a range of diseases.
What to pack
As you prepare a bag to take to the hospital with you, don’t forget you’re packing for two now.
Here are some items the American Pregnancy Association recommends packing in your hospital bag:
- Breast pads
- Hair clips, bands or ties
- Hairbrush
- Health insurance card
- Hospital registration forms
- Lip balm
- Lotion
- Nightgown, robe, slippers and socks
- Nursing bra
- Nursing pillow
- Outfit to wear home from the hospital (that fit you when you were around 6 months pregnant)
- Sanitary pads
- Toiletries, including deodorant and a toothbrush
For baby, don’t forget:
- Booties/socks
- Diaper wipes
- Going-home outfit
- Hat
- Infant car seat
- Mittens
- Newborn diapers
- Receiving blankets
Your work checklist
“If you work, you should finalize your parental leave plans before your baby is born so there’s no confusion during the often-foggy post-delivery days,” Dr. Trites says. Leave typically refers to the period when you stop working after giving birth to recover, care for your baby and adjust to family life with your new plus-one.
Meet with your company’s human resources representative or your employer after letting them know you’re pregnant to map out the parameters of your leave and return-to-work plans. Your available leave time may vary depending on your company and benefits.
Also, if you’re planning to breastfeed and pump once you return to work, talk to your employer about providing you with the time and place to pump. “Letting them know ahead of time that you’ll be breastfeeding and pumping while at work can help them support you once you return,” adds Dr. Trites.
It’s also helpful to talk to co-workers who’ve taken a leave of absence after pregnancy. They can give you tips, examples of how they structured their time off and advice for transitioning back to work.
In addition, solidify plans in advance about who will care for your baby once you start working again.
“Having childcare arranged ahead of time will help you feel more prepared for when the time comes to go back to work,” says Dr. Trites.
Family leave resources
You can check U.S. Department of Labor services in your state to learn about disability or unemployment policies and other family leave provisions.
You can also use these sources for information on Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and family leave policies:
- A Better Balance
- Families and Work Institute
- National Partnership for Women & Families
- U.S. Department of Labor
Set boundaries
Before your baby is born and you go on leave is a good time to establish a framework for well-wishers to follow for visiting you and baby. Are there certain parts of the day you want to reserve for immediate family only? Let people know in advance so they can respect your privacy and bonding time.
Even if you don’t yet know what you’ll want once your baby makes their debut, you can start setting some expectations now and adjust as you go.
Manage expectations
No matter how much you prepare in advance, you may still not feel ready. And that’s OK. Welcoming a new baby into the world is a major life change.
“Let go of the idealized images of birth and parenthood you may have in your head,” Dr. Trites says. “Becoming a parent or expanding your family is a significant adjustment. Be kind to yourself and meet yourself where you are — ready or not.”
Find a doctor
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant and are looking for an experienced, caring provider to help you navigate pregnancy and welcome your baby into the world, we can help. Providence offers maternity, prenatal care and obstetrics services. You can also search for an OB-GYN or midwife who’s right for you in our provider directory.
In addition, you can register for a tour of our maternity units at your local hospital. Learn how to schedule a tour. You can also choose from a wide range of classes tailored to pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care. Some of the class topics include:
- Breastfeeding
- Childbirth preparation
- Infant CPR and safety
- Infant massage
- New mom’s group
- Newborn care
- Parenting education
Search for classes and register online.
Contributing caregiver
Dafna Trites, D.O., is a Providence OB-GYN at Facey Medical Group in Tarzana, California.
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Related resources
Pregnancy: Everything you need to know for your journey
Providence OB-GYN offers advice for a healthy pregnancy
You have options for delivering your baby
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
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