Ten Things To Do In Your Third Trimester

So the countdown begins…… While you still have the energy, time, and motivation, I recommend creating a “must-do” list of tasks for this final (and most challenging) trimester.  Though I only list ten below, I could easily add countless more things! These are just a few of the things that I found useful, or have realised that I would of benefited from.

1. Make meals for the freezer. Sounds simple enough and it really does help for those days when baby won’t settle or your just simply too tired to cook at meal from scratch.

2. Make arrangements for your other child/children for when it’s finally time to go to the hospital.  Make sure you have all the bases covered, for daytime and overnight needs. Having a back up or stand by for if your original plan falls through at the last minute.

3. Go for a meal at a fancy restaurant. Make sure you enjoy a grown up dinner out for it won’t be long before you start looking for establishments that feature plenty of noisy background music (to drown out the noise coming from your table) and that have a more family orientated feel, so be sure to seize the moment. Actually I suggest going to the cinema too, as this is not ideal with a newborn (yes I am talking to you who take your screaming baby to the cinema and ruin it for everyone else!).

4. Decide how you will get to the hospital.  Not just planning a route, but will you be driving or getting a taxi – parking at my local hospital is almost impossible and I really wouldn’t want to get there and my partner still be looking for a place to park an hour later. Also if parking isn’t free make sure you have change for the meter in the car – you know you won’t have any on the day otherwise!

5. Spend time alone with your partner and other children. The demands of a newborn has a massive impact on time you can spend alone as a couple. So it’s important to take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time alone together in this last trimester, before your time is consumed with feeding changing and talking about shades of poo!. Similarly if you have other children make time to do the things that you won’t be able to do with a newborn around..

6. Take some photos of your baby belly!  I personally felt so big and uncomfortable in the last trimester I hated my picture being taken (thats a half lie – I ALWAYS hate having my picture taken), but believe me its really sad if you don’t have any photos to look back on of this special time.  I didn’t really take any belly photos in my first 2 pregnancies, I only have 1 from my second and none from my first and really, really regret it now..

7. Eat spicy meals to your hearts content. If you’re intending to breastfeed your baby, your days of scoffing down jalapeno peppers and blow your head off salsa are soon to be put on hold. The spices make their way into your breastmilk and can cause baby to go on hunger strike.

8. Wash, fold, and sort baby clothes, bedding etc.

9. Stockpile a nappies and wipes, wether you will be using disposables or reusables you really don’t want to be running out in the middle of the night.

10. Pack a hospital bag.  (Ironically, this task requires an altogether separate list.  Maybe that’ll be another Top 10 list.)

So there you have it my list of 10 things to do in your 3rd trimester. Did I miss anything you found vital? I know I have thought of another dozen things just whilst compiling this list!

Tags: 3rd Trimester, Hospital Bag, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Blog, Things To Do, Third Trimester

Posted in Pregnancy