Getting ready for the baby in the third trimester
Starting the third trimester bings on new challenges. Be ready to bring home baby by tackling some things to do while still pregnant.
3 Free apps to download
While pregnant there are 3 main apps iv kept on my phone to help me along with my pregnancy. These 3 apps are free to download, filled with information, and have helpful things within the app like kick counts or contraction timers.
My number one recommendation is the What to expect app. This is a free app on all app stores and it has no in app ads. when you sign up you get placed into communities that are helpful when you have a question along with other mothers that are due in the same month as you.
Another app I love to look on is Pregnancy+ app. This app gives you a live look into what your baby would look like, information, and no in app ads. When you sign up it gives you loads on information, and you can set it to your preference. This app is only available on the iphone or ipad app store.
Lastly the other app I use is The Bump app. This app is currently going through a new update but is just like the other two apps but mixed. You get a 3D look into what you baby looks like and how your baby is growing in your body. Along with 3D models is a plethora of information on your pregnancy by week and what you may be experiencing symptom wise. This app is available on both the Apple and Google app store.
Kick Counts
Usually at 28 weeks you should start counting kicks. by 30 weeks its expected by your OBGYN or Nurse Practitioner to be counting your kicks.
Kick counts are when your find a time of day your baby is active. You rest and count to 10 kicks. You want to get 10 kicks in 2 hours. If you get less than 10 kicks, drink some juice, and have a light snack to try to get baby kicking.
Personally iv been able to get 10 kicks in under 30 minutes every day since iv entered the third trimester. Before I go to rest I drink a glass of Orange Juice and sometimes will eat a cliff bar. (Cliff bars are EBT eligible on amazon)
Hospital Bag
It’s really recommended that you pack a hospital bag before you go into labor. I plan to pack mine around 35-36 weeks pregnant. This is a huge thing so your not rushing around looking for things while going through contractions. Also helps prevent you from forgetting something or leaving behind an important thing.
Some of the things you should have packed are:
- Medical card
- Id card
- 2 Pairs of clothes for you , baby, and partner
- toiletries
- slippers
- non slip socks
- pads or diapers for postpartum
- Carseat (the hospital will not let you leave without this)
The hospital will provide a lot for you during your labor and recovery time. Remember your going in to have a baby not move in.
Finish the nursery
If you still have things that need to be put together, organized, or just washed now is the time to do it. Better to have it already complete than to try and put it together when you’re sleep deprived and have no energy to do it. The biggest is to wash and organize the baby clothes into months or sizes, and also buy the last of the baby gear that you still need. This could be diapers, wipes, or ointments.
Take a breastfeeding course
it is such a small percentage of woman that physically can not breastfeed. 5-10% to be exact that physiologically can not breastfeed. Many more feel they are not making enough ( another myth) or they are lacking nutritional value. Until your milk is tested dont give up. Not having a proper latch, feeding often enough, or having too many issues and not a smooth flow are reason many woman will give up and go to a bottle with formula. Its proven that breastfeeding is beyond beneficial for your baby and keeping so many risk down. These risk include obesity, higher risk of SIDs, and not enough skin to skin contact.
You can get free courses covered by your insurance in the third trimester along with a free breast pump. My insurance provided a Hygeia Pump completely free and I received it in 3 days. Along with super fast shipping, I had a agent reach out to me as soon as my insurance accepted it and they would message and update me on my order.
Make ahead meals
During the third trimester if you have the energy make some meals ahead and freeze them for when baby home. It will be so much more easier to warm something up or do a crock pot dump meal than have to be over the stove for an hour while extremely exhausted. This also goes for lactation snacks to help up your milk supply.
Have your carseat installed and checked
The hospital will not let you leave if you don’t have a carseat or have it installed properly. You can always get help from your local Fire Station, or Police Station. Along with those you may also have a person at your doctor that is able to check it out at your next visit.
Pre-register at the Hospital
If you already know what hospital you want to give birth at, you can pre-register to help save time with paperwork during check in.
Choose a Pediatrician
When your baby is born you have to already know what pediatrician you will be taking them to and make a. appointment. You will have your baby checked a bunch during the hospital stay but once you go home you will have to go in for a check up within 2 weeks of going home with your newborn. Knowing ahead of time will help your insurance accept it and you will know if they aren’t accepted there.
My Baby Registry!
This is my baby registry that I’m always adding to! If you purchase something from here it will get sent to me! Thank you for all of your support during this time! Advice is always appreciated and accepted! God bless you and your littles!
Valerye Defehr
Creator of all things pretty and yummy across the website!
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About Me
Hey there! I’m a stay-at-home wife that loves to cook and be around animals! Im currently expecting and blog weekly about my pregnancy and progression through it. Check out my other channels (buttons below) to stay up to date.
