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Third Trimester Checklist: Everything to Do Before Baby Arrives

Why a Third Trimester Checklist Matters

The third trimester — weeks 28 through 40 — is when the reality of your baby’s arrival hits. There is a lot to prepare, and having a structured checklist prevents the stress of last-minute scrambling. Breaking tasks into three phases makes everything manageable, even on days when pregnancy fatigue makes it hard to get off the couch.

Weeks 28 to 32: Plan and Research

This is the time for big-picture decisions and research-heavy tasks. You still have energy and several weeks of lead time.

Choose a Pediatrician

Start researching pediatricians now. Ask friends, family, and your OB for recommendations. Many pediatric practices offer brief meet-and-greet appointments for expecting parents. Consider factors like location, office hours, after-hours availability, hospital affiliation, and whether the practice’s philosophy aligns with yours.

Take a Hospital Tour

Most hospitals and birth centers offer tours for expectant parents. Visit your planned delivery location to familiarize yourself with the layout, parking, registration process, and labor and delivery unit. Knowing where to go and what to expect reduces anxiety when the big day arrives.

Research and Purchase a Car Seat

Your baby cannot leave the hospital without a properly installed car seat. Research infant car seats, read safety ratings, and make your purchase during this phase. Many local fire stations and hospitals offer free car seat installation checks.

Start Your Birth Plan

A birth plan communicates your preferences for labor and delivery to your healthcare team. Consider your preferences for pain management, labor positions, who you want in the room, and immediate postpartum wishes like skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping. Keep it flexible — birth is unpredictable, and your plan may need to adjust.

Begin Prenatal Classes

If you have not already, sign up for childbirth education, breastfeeding, and infant CPR classes. Many hospitals offer these, and online options are available as well. Taking classes now gives you time to process the information before delivery.

Set Up the Nursery

Assemble the crib, arrange furniture, wash baby clothes and linens, and organize supplies. You do not need everything to be perfect, but having the basics set up provides peace of mind.

Weeks 32 to 36: Prepare and Pack

With your due date getting closer, shift from planning to concrete preparation.

Pack Your Hospital Bag

Have your hospital bag packed and ready by week 36. Essentials include:

Prepare Freezer Meals

The postpartum period is exhausting, and cooking will be the last thing on your mind. Spend a few weekends preparing and freezing meals. Soups, casseroles, pasta bakes, and slow cooker meals all freeze well and can be reheated quickly.

Finalize Your Support Plan

Decide who will be with you during labor and who will help at home in the first weeks after birth. If you have other children, arrange childcare for when you are in the hospital. If grandparents or friends are coming to help, discuss timelines and expectations.

Install the Car Seat

Do not wait until you are in labor to figure out the car seat. Install it in the back seat (rear-facing), and have the installation checked by a certified technician. Many fire stations and police departments offer this service for free.

Discuss Maternity Leave

Finalize your maternity leave plans with your employer. Know your start date, how to file any necessary paperwork, and what your return timeline looks like. Set up out-of-office messages and hand off responsibilities to colleagues.

Stock Up on Essentials

Make sure you have plenty of diapers (newborn and size 1), wipes, burp cloths, and basic baby care items. Also stock up on household essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, and your favorite snacks so you do not need to run errands in the first weeks home.

Weeks 36 to 40: Final Preparations

You are in the home stretch. These final weeks are about tying up loose ends and resting.

Review Signs of Labor

Refresh your knowledge of the signs of labor — regular contractions, water breaking, bloody show, and when to call your provider. Make sure your partner or support person also knows the plan.

Confirm Your Hospital Route

Know the best route to your hospital or birth center, including an alternate route in case of traffic or road closures. Do a practice drive during the time of day you think labor might start (or during rush hour, just in case).

Charge Devices and Prepare Entertainment

Early labor can take a long time. Have your phone and a portable charger ready, download music or podcasts, and bring anything that helps you relax.

Rest

This is perhaps the most important item on the list. Sleep when you can, accept help when it is offered, and give yourself permission to slow down. Your body is doing extraordinary work, and it needs rest to prepare for labor and delivery.

Use our pregnancy week tracker to follow your baby’s development through the final weeks and know exactly what milestones to watch for.