Last Updated on April 17, 2024

By the third trimester your pregnancy has either gone super slow, or so fast that you haven’t had time to think about a lot of the last minute things you need to do before baby arrives.

I fall into the latter category, where time has gone fast, but also my 3.5 year old has been keeping me busy, and my time has been largely spent finding toddler friendly places to take him to.

However, now the time has come for me to make a third trimester pregnancy to do list, which once done will make me feel more prepared for the changes that are due to come.

If you have yet to make a third trimester pregnancy to do list, or are not sure what to put on one, then this list should hopefully provide you with some inspiration and make you feel as organised as much as possible before your new arrival enters the world.

As well as adding the below to your third trimester pregnancy to do list, make sure you also continue to do anything your health professionals advise you to do.

THIRD TRIMESTER PREGNANCY TO DO LIST

Here are some things to put on your third trimester pregnancy to do list, so you’re as organised as can be before your baby’s arrival.

PICK A BABY NAME

I know this seems really obvious, but just under a month away from our baby’s arrival and we haven’t decided on a name, we don’t even have a shortlist.

We really struggled naming Ryan, and it wasn’t a name that I was keen on. Nick and I have very different tastes when it comes to baby names, so if you’re in the same boat try to get onto this early to avoid arguments.

PACK YOUR HOSPITAL BAG

The contents of your hospital bag will vary depending on the length of your stay.

It’s recommended to have your hospital bag packed at about 36 weeks and keep it by the door or in the car, just in case your baby decides to make an early entrance.

Don’t worry if you forget anything, you can always get a family member to bring anything additional that you need to the hospital.

WHAT TO PACK FOR LABOUR

• Hospital paperwork
• 1-2 night gowns, or long t-shirts, with whatever you choose allowing your arms to be free for blood pressure checks
• Slippers
• 1-2 pairs of socks
• Phone and charger
• A notepad or notes app on your phone so you can write down questions or advice
• Books, magazines, and or tablet for entertainment
• Drinks, including a large water bottle with a straw
• Snacks

WHAT TO PACK FOR AFTER LABOUR 

• Toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, deodorant, brush, comb, makeup (if you want), hair ties, headband, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, and moisturiser all decanted into small containers
• Small bottle of hairspray (only if you want some)
• Pyjamas
• At least 2 changes of clothes
• Maternity pads
• 3-4 pairs of dark comfortable underwear
• 2-3 pairs of dark tracksuit pants and front opening tops
• Bag to store dirty clothes
• Nursing bras or comfortable bras and nursing pads
• A gift from the baby to each of their siblings
• Thongs for the shower

 WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR LABOUR PARTNER

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant
• Change of clothes
• Drinks
• Snacks
• Books, magazines, and or tablet for entertainment
• Phone and charger
• Money for hospital parking and vending machines

 WHAT TO PACK FOR THE BABY

• Baby clothes
• Coming home outfit
• 1-2 burp cloths
• Blanket
• Nappies
• Wipes

WHAT NOT TO PACK

• Jewellery
• Lots of cash or valuables
• Medications (unless approved by the hospital)

MAKE SURE HOSPITAL PAPERWORK IS FILLED OUT

Make sure you fill out any paperwork the hospital needs you to complete and pack it in your hospital bag so you don’t forget it.

ORGANISE FOR YOUR OTHER CHILDREN OR PETS TO BE CARED FOR

Make sure you have someone who is able to watch your other children and pets whilst you’re at the hospital, as children aren’t allowed whilst labour is happening.

It’s also wise to let the person know they basically need to be on call for a couple of weeks prior to labour, just in case labour starts at the earliest hour of the morning.

I’m planning on having my sister stay at my house a few days before my second baby’s due date, just in case she doesn’t have enough time to reach our house and watch Ryan before we need to leave for the hospital.

STOCK YOUR FREEZER WITH PRECOOKED MEALS

This is something that is easier said than done.

I’ve been given this advice many times and as much as I wanted to do it before having Ryan, I never really got around to it.

Now add Ryan into the mix and I think I’ll have even less time.

However, having your freezer stocked up with as many premade meals as possible is definitely something that we need to aim for. Having a new baby doesn’t allow for a lot of cooking time, so any effort you can make here will be well worth it.

I’m going to make a little extra in my meal planning process as much as I can so I can store them away for when the baby arrives.

If all else fails, and you just can’t find the time to make food ahead then these quick dinner recipes may be just the amount of time you have to prepare a dinner, or have your partner go and buy some ready made meals until things settle down.

STOCK UP ON HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES

Before baby arrives stock up on household supplies and snacks that will get you through the first busy weeks of having a newborn.

The last thing on your mind will be to shop to get these, so the more you have prior to your baby being born, the better you’ll feel.

Some household supplies you may like to stock up on include:

• Cleaning products
• Toilet paper
• Kitchen towels
• Toiletries
• Garbage bags
• Much needed chocolate and other delicious snacks
• Tinned and frozen food

BUY ESSENTIALS FOR YOU POSTPARTUM

I purposely kept myself very naïve about postpartum changes after Ryan was born, but now that I’m slightly wiser, here’s some of what you’ll need after giving birth:

• Giant pads or adult nappies
• Giant comfortable undies
• Paracetamol and Neurofen
• Haemorrhoid cream
• Nursing pads (even if you don’t breastfeed you may still leak)
• Comfortable pyjamas
• Heating or cooling pads that you can place anywhere on your body
• Stool softener

MAKE A NEWBORN ESSENTIALS LIST

Start to make a list of anything that you think you’ll need or anything you’d like as a gift and start to work your way towards purchasing them.

Some items you may like to include on your newborn essentials list include:

CLOTHING

• 6-8 onesies with snaps at the crotch
• 3-4 vests with low necks with snaps at the crotch for under onesies if cold
• 3-4 vests with sleeves for under jumpers
• 4-8 jumpers or jackets that button up at the front
• 4-8 trousers with feet
• 4-7 socks or booties
• A soft hat for winter, a cotton hat for summer
• 2-3 sleeping bags

IF BOTTLE FEEDING

• 4-6 bottles and teats
• Bottle brush
• Bottle drying rack
• Steriliser
• Formula
• Breast pump, milk storage bags, nursing pads, nipple cream (if pumping)

OTHER

• Lightweight and heavy stroller blankets
• Baby monitor
• 2-3 swaddle blankets
• 4-8 muslin blankets to put over your shoulder when burping baby
• Nappies, nappy bags to put dirty nappies in, and wipes
• Nappy bag for when you go out
• Baby bath, shampoo, body wash, soft wash cloth
• Baby carrier
• Baby swing or bouncer
• Baby nail files, clippers, or mittens
• Thermometer
• Nasal aspirator

SET UP YOUR NEWBORN’S FURNITURE

Start to build what you need for your new baby’s arrival and place it in the room it’s needed.

This may include the following:

• Bassinette, cot, or moses basket, including mattress, 2-3 fitted sheets, 2 waterproof covers
• Nursing chair and pillow
• Changing table, or dresser with changing pad
• Drawers or storage to store your baby’s clothes and nappy needs
• A pram that lies flat with a rain cover for winter and sunshade for summer
• A rear facing car seat
• Car sun blinds

ENJOY A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO YOURSELF EACH DAY

Try to find small pockets of time during the day to do something that makes you happy.

Relaxing and enjoying doing very little is a luxury that will disappear once you’re your baby arrives.

If you’d like some ideas, please visit this self-care ideas post.

GET HOME TASKS OUT OF THE WAY

If there are any areas of your home that are driving you crazy (I’m looking at you bedroom cupboard!), then tackle them now, as you won’t have the time or energy for them later on.

I find that a good declutter goes a long way in making my home feel more organised and my brain less stressed. If you’ like some inspiration on what areas of the home to declutter first, then please visit this post 11 ways to declutter your home.

I hope this post has provided some ideas on what to include on your third trimester pregnancy to do list.

The best thing is not to get overwhelmed, and I’d suggest that as long as your hospital bag is packed, your hospital paperwork is filled out, you have someone to watch your other children or pets, and you have the postpartum, and newborn essentials you think you’ll need, everything else can be done when things settle down.

What items will you put on your third trimester pregnancy list?