Things to do before giving birth (+ checklist)

Whether you are expecting your first child or your third, giving birth can be a roller coaster of emotions. Having a new baby can be pure bliss, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. To help you prepare for your baby, here are a few things to do before you give birth that will help you savor those precious new-born moments.

Prepare All the Baby Gear

Before the baby arrives, you should have certain things purchased, assembled, and tested to make sure they work. The most important essentials are a properly-installed car seat and a safe place for the baby to sleep. If you plan to use other items, like an infant swing or changing tables, you’ll want to assemble those as well.

Make and Freeze Meals

In the weeks leading up to your due date, consider pre-making and freezing meals so you are not relying on less healthy packaged meals and take-out options. Sometimes friends and family will offer to bring meals to meet the baby, but you can’t always rely on that. An easy way to stock your freezer is by doubling the recipe for something you are already making for dinner. Enjoy half of it that night and freeze the other half for later.

Stock Up on Household Essentials

The last thing you need when caring for your new baby on little to no sleep is to run out of toilet paper. Before the baby comes, stockpile things like toilet paper, safe cleaning products, and personal care products that you use regularly such as shampoo and soap.

Fill Prescriptions

If you or someone in the family takes certain medications regularly, make sure to get prescriptions filled shortly before the baby comes. Take inventory of your medicine cabinet and stock up on over-the-counter medications and first-aid essentials that your family may need.

Make Sure You are Up to Date on Preventative Care

Leading up to the birth of your baby, it may seem like all of your healthcare has been pregnancy-oriented. However, before the baby is born, you should take care of other routine healthcare tasks. Go to the dentist and the optometrist for preventative care. If you need dental work or new glasses or contacts, take the time to get these things done while you do not have to worry about bringing a new-born along.

Take Some Time for Yourself

The time before you have your baby is valuable in many ways and for more than checking logistical things off a list. Taking time out for yourself, both alone and with your partner, is important. You’ll love your new baby in an all-consuming way, but you might still miss having alone time or a quiet moment with your partner. Take the opportunity to enjoy the things you love before the baby comes.

Some people go on vacations, or “babymoons,” before their babies are born. If you have the means, time, and energy for this type of vacation, then go for it! It will probably be the last time you’ll be able to have a child-free getaway for a while. Be sure to plan it during a time in your pregnancy when it is safe to travel.

Get Ready for the Hospital or Birthing Centre

As the due date approaches, you should prepare for your stay in the hospital. This includes knowing the best routes to the hospital and packing suitcases in case you need to leave in a hurry. Most of the essentials will be provided for you at the hospital.

Plan Birth Announcements

New-born photographers may need booking well in advance so if there is a particular one you’d like to work with, contact them as soon as possible.