Certified Doula, Tayler Morrison, shares tips for moms in their third trimester of pregnancy.

Almost There

You are in the home stretch, mama! In just a few months or even weeks, you will be
bringing your little one earthside! While this is incredibly exciting, some may feel nervous, unprepared, or somewhere in the middle, and no matter how you are feeling, it is okay and something every expecting mom goes through.

Finalize Birth Plan

One thing to get started on is finalizing your birth plan with your care team. Whether that be your spouse, your doula, your midwife, your OBGYN,
etc., ensuring you get any last-minute questions answered and ensuring everyone is on the same page will be important. Having a birth plan prepared can be incredibly important, as well as having a plan for pet and sibling care.

Pack Your Hospital Bag

You will also want to pack your hospital bags if you are birthing outside of the home. You will need things for yourself, your spouse, and your baby while
you are away from home. Labor can come on at any time, and sometimes when we least expect it, so finalizing these details early in your third trimester can be important.

Get the House Ready

You will also want to finish preparing your home for your baby. In the first few weeks, all your baby will truly need is their mama. However, having your home prepared can help you mentally and physically as well. You’ll want to have babies’ clothes washed, the bassinet/crib put together, breast pump and/or bottles sterilized, and the car seat installed in your vehicle. For the early days and late night feedings, it is recommended to prep a small basket of supplies you
may need in the middle of the night for your baby. A small basket of diapers, wipes, pacifiers, etc., can be helpful to have ready for late-night feeds and diaper changes to eliminate shuffling around in the dark looking for supplies. If you plan to pump breastmilk for your baby, sterilize your pump parts prior and learn how to use your pump. Getting ahead will ease the transition and reduce stress when your baby arrives.

Prepare for Postpartum

Most importantly, preparing for postpartum is crucial. Ensuring you have supplies to care for yourself is important. You may have different needs based on how you gave birth to your baby and the circumstances around it. Some women may want a peri bottle, sitz bath, and Tucks pads for a natural birth. Some may want belly bands and scar cream if they have had a C-section. Regardless of how you give birth, you will want to be prepared for postpartum. Taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for your baby. Meal prepping and stocking the pantry are
also great ideas to prepare for postpartum. This helps eliminate the need to run to the grocery store or eat unhealthy meals due to being too tired or recovering. Start with small steps and just remember, even if everything is not perfect, all your baby needs is their mama when they arrive!

Story by Tayler Morrison for BlueWaterParent.com

All content of BlueWaterParent.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.