Congratulations, a baby is on the way! Once the initial excitement passes, you may feel overwhelmed by the length of the to-do list to prepare for your baby’s arrival. In this blog post, we’ll break down the tasks into items that you can tackle in each trimester to make it all feel more manageable. Let’s take the stress out of the process and help you get back to simply feeling excited about meeting your baby.

Please note that each family’s needs are unique and this list is not meant to be comprehensive.

A couple holds their baby's ultrasound photo.

First Trimester

1. Investigate childcare options (if needed). If both parents will be returning to work after baby’s birth, it’s important to start thinking about childcare very early in pregnancy. Honestly, starting this process in the same week you find out you’re pregnant is not too early. In St. Louis, and many other places, there’s a shortage of childcare options, and reputable daycare centers may have a wait of a year or longer. Ask neighbors, friends, and coworkers for suggestions on daycares that may be convenient to your home or workplace. If you would prefer to hire a nanny, start researching options. (Side note – let’s get back to taking the stress out of this process! Despite the scarcity of childcare options, somehow this always works out, especially when you can get an early start.)

2. Decide on an obstetrical care provider and birthing place. If you have a good relationship with an OB/GYN, great! If you don’t have an established provider or feel that another doctor might be a better fit, this is a great time to make a change. Might you also consider choosing a midwife as your provider? Are you most comfortable giving birth in a hospital, or birthing center, or at home? We are fortunate to have many excellent care providers in St. Louis, so whatever your goals and preferences are for your birth, you have many choices.

3. Research and contact doulas for birth and/or postpartum support. Many doulas’ schedules fill far in advance, so securing this support early in pregnancy gives you more options and will help you find the perfect fit.

A baby's nursery, organized with the help of a St. Louis postpartum doula.

Second Trimester

1. Set up a baby registry. Especially if you anticipate having a baby shower, having a registry in place will streamline gift giving for your family and friends. You can ask your doula or other experienced parents for suggestions on preferred brands and types of baby gear. Even if this isn’t your first baby and you may not have a shower, a registry can still be helpful for any loved ones who wish to give a gift. Perhaps diapers and wipes would be most helpful, or you can always suggest gift cards to contribute to doula support.

2. Sign up for classes such as childbirth, CPR, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes. Most hospitals offer these courses. Also, many doulas offer education to help you prepare for your birth and postpartum experience. Feel free to reach out to ask for recommendations for childbirth education. I enjoy working with expecting parents through private baby prep sessions, where we cover breastfeeding, newborn care, and postpartum planning either in your home or virtually.

3. Start setting up your baby’s nursery. This is often one of the most fun parts of preparing for baby’s arrival. Whether you’ve had visions of a nursery for years, or you’re exploring options for the first time, you can let your creativity guide the process. Basics for a newborn nursery typically include a crib, dresser, comfortable chair, and some type of changing pad, but you can decide what works best for your needs. Also, it’s helpful to note that most families follow safe sleep guidelines and room-share with their baby in the early months. If this is your plan, there’s really no rush to have the nursery complete, but starting this project early can bring fun and excitement to these months of preparation.

4. Consult with an attorney to complete a will and determine guardianship for your baby. While this task may feel unpleasant, taking care of these important details prior to baby’s arrival can create peace of mind for your family.

5. Contact your insurance company to order a breast pump. You may wish to ask experienced friends, your doula, or a lactation consultant for recommendations on a pump. It can be helpful to familiarize yourself with pump assembly and usage prior to your arrival.

6. Start planning for your family leave from work. Your second trimester is a good time to start talking to human resources, your supervisor/manager, colleagues, and other stakeholders about your leave and determine how duties will be redistributed during your absence. Identifying trusted colleagues who have been through this process previously can be very helpful in navigating policies and culture in your specific workplace. While your HR department should assist you, it’s important to know your rights for FMLA eligibility and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

A duffel bag is packed for the hospital to give birth.

Third Trimester

1. Secure a pediatrician. You may wish to ask neighbors and friends for recommendations for practices near you, as you’ll be making frequent trips through your baby’s first year and beyond. Some practices offer opportunities to meet with a pediatrician first, whereas other practices just ask you to choose a provider who you’ll meet at your first visit with your baby. Questions to keep in mind may include availability of sick appointments, weekend hours, and how they manage non-urgent questions.

2. Work on a birth plan or preference list. Many templates exist online, or you could even do a tailored planning session with your birth doula. Whatever you decide, writing your preferences helps you communicate with your care team when you arrive for your birth.

3. Pack hospital bags for yourself, your partner, and your baby. In general, you likely need less than you may think, but it’s helpful to take some essentials that will make your stay more comfortable.

4. Buy recovery supplies for the early postpartum days, such as pads, nipple balm, Tucks, a peri bottle, and nursing pads. Every birthing person’s needs are different, so I recommend just buying a small quantity, not opening packages, and saving receipts in case you wish to return unused items. You may also be sent home with some of these items from the hospital.

5. Assemble baby gear and equipment that you may wish to use immediately, such as a bassinet, stroller, and breast pump. It’s much easier to do these tasks before you’re holding a baby in your arms!

6. Wash and organize baby clothes. This is another fun part of preparing to welcome your baby. Whether you buy or receive new clothes, or are fortunate enough to receive hand-me-downs from other parents, laundering and organizing clothes in your baby’s nursery will help you feel ready. It’s also helpful to stash some extra outfits wherever you plan to change your baby’s diapers, as lots of outfit changes will happen during that process.

7. Review the process for adding your baby to your health insurance plan. Prior to birth, it’s helpful to call your insurance provider to ask about exactly what you need to do to add your baby to your insurance plan.

8. Finish identifying your postpartum support team, including lactation resources, a pelvic floor physical therapist, and mental health therapist. I believe these professionals should be part of every new parent’s postpartum period, and identifying providers prior to birth will make it easier to get the help you need when you need it. Feel free to contact me for any recommendations.

9. Just as a birth plan will help you articulate your needs and priorities for birth, doing some postpartum planning with your partner will make sure you’re on the same page for taking care of your needs, as well as baby’s. I enjoy doing private postpartum planning sessions, either in-person or virtually, to help families feel ready to welcome their baby.

10. If applicable, secure care for older siblings and/or pets while you’re in the hospital.

11. Prepare your house by stocking up on essentials and freezing some meals and snacks.

12. Install your car seat(s) in your vehicle(s). This is a necessity prior to heading to the hospital, as you can’t head home without one. In St. Louis, Children’s Hospital offers Safety Stop, a resource that includes having a child passenger safety technician answer your questions about correctly installing your car seat.

13. Make a playlist and/or download shows to watch in the hospital to help pass any downtime in labor or after your baby is born.

14. Plan something fun to care for yourself. As your due date approaches, be sure to carve out some time to pamper yourself. Consider a prenatal massage, hair appointment, and especially a date night with your partner to enjoy each other’s company before your family grows.

I hope this list helps you feel like you can conquer each of these steps without feeling overwhelmed or stressed. You’re not alone if you have questions! I love working with families to answer questions about baby gear recommendations, efficient house setup, provider recommendations, and much more. If you would like to explore how doula support can help, not just in your postpartum period but as you prepare to meet your baby, please contact me.

About the Postpartum Doula –

Kathleen Robbins provides in-person postpartum support to families in the St. Louis area, and virtual and texting support to families in any location. To learn more about what services are available while you are preparing to meet your baby, read more about private baby prep sessions, which can be conducted with families everywhere.