Third Trimester Preparation Tips

As a first-time mum to be in the third trimester of pregnancy, I reached out to other mums for some preparation tips for the final weeks running up to my baby's due date. There were so many great tips, I thought I'd share them with you here.

I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant with our first baby and am due to finish work a week today to start maternity leave. I've become aware that a lot of things are out of your control during pregnancy, one of which is the date of your baby's birth - and as someone who loves a plan and is usually very organised - I want to be as prepared as I possibly can be for when our little one does decide to arrive.

Who better to ask for advice than those who have been through it all before? I was overwhelmed by the response from other mums offering their tips and advice - they say that when you have a baby and become a mum, that you become part of this community of strong women who all completely understand and relate with one another - and I totally got a glimpse of this with lots of ladies providing helpful tips and it has made me even more excited for our little one to arrive and to become part of the mummy community :)

• Food Prep - Lots of mums have advised cooking some meals in advance and storing them in the freezer so you don't have to worry about cooking for the first few weeks and can spend the time getting to know your new baby.

• Rest Well - In the last few weeks of pregnancy, try and get as much sleep and naps in as you can before baby arrives so you can feel as rested as possible and enjoy some peaceful naps before your new routine of limited and disrupted sleep with a newborn begins.

• Give Yourself Some TLC - When you finish work and go on maternity leave, try and make some time to give yourself some TLC, whether that's binge-watching your favourite boxset, finishing a book or perhaps getting a bit of a pamper by going to get a manicure or pedicure!

• Just The Two Of Us - Try to spend as much time together with your husband / partner as you can throughout your pregnancy and make the most of your remaining time together as just the two of you as a couple before becoming a family. Go out for dates, dinner, to the cinema and just spend time chatting and doing the things you love together.

• Key Numbers and Details to Hand - Make sure to write down any key contact numbers and your pregnancy details so that you and your husband and / or other birth partner has them close by so that have them close to hand when the time comes.

• Car Seat - Get the car prepared, make sure you have plenty of fuel at all times (if you have a longer journey to maternity unit / hospital), maybe get the car washed and valeted inside and ensure you have your car seat securely fitted so you are ready to take your new bundle home!

• Hospital Bag -

- Pack separate bags for yourself, baby and birth partner with everything you need. There are lots of resources online but I found the Emma's Diary Hospital Bag Checklist particularly comprehensive.

- Put outfit sets of baby clothes in various sizes (Newborn, Up to 1 month etc.) together in separate ziplock plastic bags and write on the size with a marker pen so you can pop them in your bag and quickly grab an outfit set, rather than having to dig out individual items of clothing.

- Take more of everything than you think you'll need in case you have to stay in longer than you think.

- Some key items other mums have advised me to pack are - flip flops (for maternity unit / hospital showers!), lots of muslin cloths, nipple cream and toddler bed-wetting sheets for when at home for postpartum bleeding.

• Don't Rush Home From Maternity Unit / Hospital - Make the most of the extra help when you have it if you need to stay in the maternity unit / hospital a little longer after the birth - it can make all the difference if you plan on breastfeeding and is less overwhelming when you do go home.

• Enjoy just being you - Cherish having your independence and just being you, not having to think of anyone else, nipping out quickly, catching up with family and friends, doing the things you enjoy etc. When a baby is born, so is the mum - you are no longer just you, you are a new version of you with a lifetime role as a mother with a tiny baby to think of and look after. Of course, you'll get opportunities of you-time again but you'll be a mum first! <3

Please do subscribe to my blog and let me know if you have any other tips or advice! It's most welcome. S x