15+ Things You Have To Do In Your Third Trimester

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You’re almost done, mama! Congrats!

However, your third trimester isn’t a walk in the park. And you’re probably feeling like your pregnancy is never-ending.

Your third trimester isn’t the walk in the park you dreamed of, however, there are a couple of things you have to get done before your baby arrives.

This is an ‘all hands on deck!’ time as your baby can technically arrive any day

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When does the third trimester start?

Your third trimester starts at week 28 of pregnancy and lasts until you go into labor, which is around week 40 for most woman.

However, it isn’t uncommon for a pregnancy to go into the 41st or 42nd week with little signs of labor approaching.

But you will want to have the things on this to-do list done by your 38th week (tops! aim for earlier if posible) so it’s one less thing to worry about.

Third Trimester To Do List

Time is of the essence in your third trimester, you don’t want to go into labor and not have some essentials done (like your hospital bag ready to go!).

The last thing you want is to realize you’re missing something right before you go into labor.

Here are some important things to do in your third trimester you don’t want to forget!

Make a Birth Plan

You don’t want your water to break and realize you don’t have a birth plan in place.

Write down every detail you want for your birth plan.

What hospital will you be going to?
Do you want a water birth?
Will you be playing music during the delivery?
Do you have a playlist?
Will you want an epidural?
Delivery position preferences?

A lot of women trust their doctors (which is important!), but you don’t want to take the backseat on your own delivery.

Have a set plan in place, but be prepared to be flexible.

Pack Your Hospital Bag (Earlier Than You Think)

I remember thinking I had plenty of time to pack my hospital bag. My due date felt far away, and honestly I kept putting it off. Then one night I woke up at 2 a.m. convinced I was going into labor and suddenly realized… my bag wasn’t packed. I ended up tossing random things into a tote bag while half asleep. Not my finest moment.

Try to pack your hospital bag around 34 to 36 weeks. Babies don’t always follow the calendar, and the last thing you want is to be digging through drawers while timing contractions.

Essentials for Mom

Think comfort first. Hospitals are not exactly known for cozy vibes, and you’ll feel better having a few familiar things with you.

A few things that helped me:

Comfortable clothes like a loose nightgown or soft pajamas
Lip balm because hospital air is weirdly dry
Hair ties or claw clips to keep your hair out of the way
Phone charger, preferably one with a long cord
Basic toiletries like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and face wash

You won’t need a full suitcase, but having these small things can make the whole experience feel a little more normal.

Essentials for Baby

Hospitals usually provide a few basics, but you’ll still want a couple items for your baby.

Make sure you pack:

A going-home outfit for your baby
A soft swaddle or blanket for the ride home

Try not to overpack baby clothes. Newborns mostly stay wrapped up anyway.

Items for Your Partner or Support Person

If your partner is staying with you, they’ll want a few things too. This is something people forget until the last minute.

A couple helpful things:

A change of clothes
Phone charger
Snacks or small comfort items
Basic toiletries

Trust me, a hungry support person is not very helpful during labor.

A Simple Tip That Helps Later

Once your bag is packed, leave it by the door or in the car. When it’s time to head to the hospital, your brain will probably not be working at full capacity.

Future you will be very happy that you planned ahead.

Install the Baby Car Seat

You’re going to want to make sure your car seat is installed and ready to go a couple of weeks before your due date.

You can’t leave the hospital if your car seat isn’t in place properly and you never know when you’ll go into labor, so it’s best to get this out of the way as soon as possible.

Buy a high-quality baby car seat and get familiar with it beforehand. Read the instructions carefully beforehand, make sure all the pieces are in place, and that the straps are on the smallest settings for your newborn.

Prepare Your Postpartum Supplies

A lot of moms find themselves on the less prepared side of things during their postpartum recovery.

A couple of things you’ll want to make sure you have on hand are

Postpartum pads – it’s likely you’ll bleed for a couple of weeks postpartum. These pads are all-natural and gynecologist-approved, so you don’t have to worry about leakage or accidents.
Acetaminophen – will help ease perineal pain and body aches
Peri Bottles – Showers are a luxury during your first baby; you’re going to need these peri bottles in your bathroom
Disposable Underwear – so you don’t ruin your good panties
Epsom Salt – for sitz baths
Nursing Bra – invest in a couple of comfy nursing bras to get you started
Heating Pad – can help with aches and pains, especially in your breast
Witch Hazel Pads – helps ease vaginal pain and hemorrhoids
Stretchy Pants – get comfortable in your stretchy pants

Finally Decide On Your Baby’s Name

SO many mamas end up in the delivery room, not knowing what to name their baby.

You will see woman in the delivery room going through baby name books because they just couldn’t decide beforehand.

Go in knowing what your baby will be called, or at the very least have a top 3 ready. It’s likely you’ll just know what name to give your baby the first time you hold him.

Here are some list ideas just to get the ball rolling:

Buy and Wash Baby Clothes

You want to make sure you wash everything the baby will come into contact with, clothes, blankets, and anything else that will come in contact with the babies skin.

Have your babies clothes washed and folded before the baby arrives.

Make sure to use a gentle, baby-friendly detergent (no dyes or perfumes) so you don’t irritate your newborns skin.

Meal Prep for Your First Week Home

No one really warns you how weird the first week home with a newborn feels. You’re happy, exhausted, hungry all the time, and suddenly it’s 3 p.m. and you realize you haven’t eaten anything except half a granola bar. Cooking dinner becomes the last thing on your mind.

That’s why having a few meals ready before the baby arrives can save you. When you’re running on two hours of sleep and the baby finally falls asleep on your chest, the last thing you want to do is start chopping onions.

The newborn stage is beautiful, but it’s also chaotic. Feeding schedules, diaper changes, random crying spells. Your routine disappears overnight.

Having quick meals ready means one less thing to think about. You can just heat something up and move on with your day. It sounds small, but honestly it helps more than you’d think.

Easy Freezer Meals to Make Ahead

You don’t need to cook like you’re opening a restaurant. Even a few simple freezer meals can make life easier.

Some easy options:

Lasagna or baked ziti
Breakfast burritos
Soup or chili
Chicken and rice casserole
Pasta sauce you can quickly heat up

Make them in disposable containers if you can. Washing dishes will not be high on your priority list.

A Simple Grocery List That Helps

Stock up on foods that are fast and filling. Nothing fancy, just things you can grab quickly.

A few good ones to keep around:

Eggs
Bread or bagels
Yogurt
Oatmeal
Pre-cut fruit
Frozen veggies
Pasta

It’s also smart to grab things that require almost no prep. Because some days… you really won’t feel like doing anything.

Let Friends and Family Help

If someone asks what they can do to help after the baby arrives, this is the moment to say “food.” Seriously.

Friends bringing over a meal is one of the nicest things someone can do for new parents. Even takeout counts. No one is judging your dinner choices during the newborn stage.

Snacks You Can Eat With One Hand

This one is very real. At some point you will be holding the baby and trying to eat at the same time.

Keep snacks around that are easy to grab:

Protein bars
Nuts
Cheese sticks
Crackers
Trail mix
Cut fruit

You’ll thank yourself later when you’re sitting on the couch, baby asleep on you, and you suddenly realize you’re starving.

Consider a House Cleaner

You might not be feeling like your self but the urge to prepare your home for your baby is overwhelming! Nesting is a real thing!

You probably can’t get the house as clean and sparkly as you’d like since you’re huuuuuge, plus you should be prioritizing sleep and rest.

Treat yourself to a house cleaner and get a deep clean the weeks leading up to your pregnancy. I consider myself a Monica(from Friends!) and even I can’t get the house as bright and shiny as a professional.

Spend Some Quality Time With Your Husband And Kids

Even if this is your 5th child and you’re a pro, the first year of a baby’s life is incredibly demanding.

You’ll want to spend as much quality time with your husband and kids as possible during your third trimester.

Date nights become a luxury for the first couple of months.

Take a Breastfeeding Class

A breastfeeding class can be so beneficial for both your and your baby. A lot of new moms struggle to breastfeed their baby, especially if it’s their first born.

Even though every baby is different, you will learn a number of tips and tricks that can turn the odds in your favor.

Plan (& Attend) Your Baby Shower

One of the most tender ways to welcome and celebrate the life of your upcoming baby.

A baby shower can be loads of fun! If a baby shower isn’t your thing, perhaps just have a dinner out with your friends to celebrate a new milestone in your life.

You’ll be sure to get lots of advice from experienced moms, so don’t feel silly for taking a notepad! Every little drop of knowledge helps.

Finish the Nursery

Decide on the color already and get it done! We sometimes put this off until the last minute because we want it to be just right.

You don’t have to get it perfect, just create a nice space that sparks joy and is as functional as it is adorable.

Set Up a Baby Care Station Around the House

Before my first baby arrived, I thought everything needed to happen in the nursery. Diaper changes, feeding, getting dressed, all of it. I had this perfectly organized little room and figured that would solve everything.

Then the baby came home… and I realized I was not walking across the house every single time a diaper needed changing. Especially at 2 a.m. when I could barely see straight.

Setting up a few small baby care stations around the house makes life way easier during those first weeks.

Why One Nursery Isn’t Always Enough

The nursery looks adorable and it’s great to have one main space for baby things. But realistically, you’re going to spend most of your time in the living room, bedroom, or wherever you normally relax.

If all the baby supplies live in one room, you’ll end up running back and forth constantly. And trust me, when you’re tired and holding a newborn, that gets old fast.

A small setup in the rooms you use most can save a lot of hassle.

What to Keep in a Diaper Caddy

One of the easiest ways to do this is with a portable diaper caddy. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just something you can carry from room to room.

A few basics to keep inside:

Diapers
Baby wipes
Burp cloths
An extra onesie for surprise messes

You can also toss in diaper cream if you want. Babies have a way of needing things right when you least expect it.

Set Up a Night-Time Station Near Your Bed

Night feeds and diaper changes are a whole different level of tired. Having supplies close by can make those moments way easier.

Try keeping a small basket or bin near your bed with:

A few diapers
Wipes
Burp cloths
A clean sleeper or onesie

That way you don’t have to turn on lights and walk across the house every time the baby wakes up.

Keep Essentials on Each Floor

If your home has more than one level, this tip helps a lot. Going up and down the stairs every time you need wipes or a fresh diaper gets exhausting.

Keep a small set of essentials on each floor of the house. It doesn’t need to be a full nursery setup. Just enough supplies so you’re not scrambling when the baby needs something.

It sounds simple, but little things like this make the newborn stage feel a bit less chaotic. And honestly, anything that makes life easier during those first weeks is worth it.

Take Time to Rest and Do Something Just for You

Somewhere during the third trimester it can start to feel like a long checklist. Nursery, hospital bag, baby clothes, appointments, more baby clothes somehow. At one point I caught myself reorganizing a drawer of tiny socks at midnight and had to stop and think… why am I doing this right now?

It’s easy to forget that the last few weeks of pregnancy should also include rest. Your body is doing a lot, even when you’re just sitting on the couch.

Why Rest Matters in the Last Few Weeks

By the time you reach the end of pregnancy, your body is tired. Sleeping might not be perfect anymore, and simple things like walking up the stairs can feel like a workout.

Getting extra rest now actually helps you go into labor feeling a little more prepared. You don’t need to fill every day with tasks. Some days it’s fine to just slow down.

Simple Things to Enjoy Before Baby Arrives

There are little things that become harder once a newborn is in the house. Not impossible, just different.

Try to enjoy some quiet moments while you still can:

Sleep in when you can
Watch movies or binge a show
Take slow walks outside
Sit somewhere peaceful with a book or podcast

It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just time where you’re not rushing around.

Enjoy the Last “Just Us” Moments

If you have a partner, these last weeks are also a chance to spend time together before everything changes a bit.

Maybe it’s a simple dinner out, maybe it’s ordering takeout and watching a movie at home. Even running errands together starts to feel different once the baby arrives.

Those small moments can actually become really special later when you look back on them.

You Don’t Have to Finish Everything Perfectly

One thing a lot of moms learn quickly is that not everything will be done before the baby arrives. And that’s okay.

The nursery might not be perfect. Some baby clothes might still be in bags. A few things on your to-do list might still be waiting.

Babies don’t care if the decorations are finished. They just need you. And honestly, that’s more than enough.

When it comes to things to avoid during third trimester, definitely don’t stress yourself out for any reason. Make a solid plan and stick to it. You have three months to get everything arranged and ready to go for you little bundle of joy.

What’s on your third trimester checklist?

Don’t forget to create an Amazon Baby Registry. You get a discount for products placed on the registry and have 90 days to return any goods. Plus, you can add products from any site, not just Amazon.