12 Things to Do to Prepare for Your Baby’s Arrival

Finding out you are pregnant will be one of the greatest and most special moments in your life. It is an extraordinary blessing a woman can receive. While finding out you are pregnant is beyond exciting, preparing for your baby’s arrival can seem overwhelming. Yet, please do not fret, we have got you covered for how to prepare for your baby’s arrival.

Whether you are seven weeks or seven months pregnant, you surely have a lot on your mind — especially how to get ready for your new bundle of joy! When you are prepping for your little one, many of your tasks will focus on getting ready for labor and birth and having a healthy pregnancy.

As you enter this new exciting chapter in your life, it is common to have questions and want to seek guidance on how to navigate this experience. We want to explore 12 important tips for first-time moms, providing insights and more understanding into what to expect and how to prepare.

Schedule Your First Appointment

Now that your pregnancy test is positive, it is time to get your practitioner in the loop. As soon as you can, you should call your gynecologist’s office and schedule an appointment. Generally speaking, your practitioner will schedule your first prenatal appointment during the second month, between week 6 and week 8 of your pregnancy. This appointment will be one of the longest appointments because there is much to cover, including confirmation of pregnancy through blood and urine tests, a physical exam, your medical history, other tests and screenings, and your due date.

Gather Essential Items

When preparing for your baby’s arrival, shopping for baby essentials is likely high on your list. We recommend researching baby products first, before buying right away. To ensure your baby’s comfort and well-being, you will need to purchase clothing, diapers, feeding supplies, pacifiers, burp cloths, gentle baby lotion, and bedding. You must create a checklist to ensure you have everything you need before the arrival of your baby. You will also need to buy a reliable and comfortable crib, a changing table or mat, a car seat, and a stroller. We recommend that if you are on a budget, consider purchasing gently used furniture. There are plenty of good-conditioned cribs and furniture on websites, including Facebook Marketplace.

Prepare for Future Needs for Yourself

When you become a new mommy you will want to prepare for your future needs. It would be best if you stocked up on household essentials including paper towels, paper plates (fewer dishes to worry about), laundry detergent, soap, toilet paper, and a wide arrange of cleaning products. In conjunction with baby-proofing, make sure you do not leave cleaning supplies under the sink, rather lock them in the cabinet or storage bin in the basement. Make it impossible for your little one to reach any chemicals or cleaning agents, including storing them high up.

Take a Childbirth Class

Taking a childbirth class is a great way to understand the birth process and a perfect space to ask questions. While it is not required to attend this class, if you are a first-time parent, it is helpful for you and your partner. Many childbirth education classes are general overviews of labor and delivery. Most doctors and midwives recommend taking birthing classes in the second trimester or early in the third trimester.

Nutrition and Exercise During Pregnancy

Staying healthy throughout your pregnancy is important for you and the baby. Proper nutrition keeps mommy and baby healthy, promotes steady growth, and supplies the energy you need for childbirth and motherhood. According to Health, “When you are pregnant, you need more of certain nutrients — like protein, iron, folic acid, iodine, and choline. It is also important to get enough calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and fiber.”

In addition, March of Dimes discusses that at your first prenatal care checkup, ask your healthcare provider whether exercise during pregnancy is safe for you. Healthy pregnant women need at least 2.5 hours of aerobic activities. This type of workout can help reduce your risk of pregnancy complications and ease pregnancy discomforts, such as back pain.

In addition, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states, “Contact sports that could cause injury to your stomach should be avoided.”

Lastly, make sure you research the best prenatal vitamin and start taking one as soon as you find out you are pregnant.

Start Decorating the Nursery

With designing a nursery comes: choosing the perfect wall color, selecting the right theme, deciding on a crib, contemplating over the best room accessories, and securing all the electrical outlets. The four most important things you need to focus on when designing your nursery are a place to sleep, a place for feeding, a place to be changed, and a place to keep clothes and other items neat and organized. While decorating your nursery, make sure you not only baby-proof your home but also the whole house.

Start Setting Up Your Registry

With your bundle of joy on the way, you may feel like there are a thousand to-dos. One of the most important things to do is set up a registry. A baby registry is a list of items that parents-to-be would like to receive as gifts. Friends and family members will be excited to pick out gifts for you and your baby.  Ask for specific items, brands, and colors. Read reviews! You will be the one using these things every day, so make sure you register for the things you are excited about.

Check Maternity and Paternity Leave Policies

According to Norton Children, “Review workplace policies regarding parental leave for yourself and your partner. Ensure you can take the time needed to bond with and care for your new baby. While federal law requires 12 weeks of unpaid leave for employers with 50 or more people, policies can vary by state and by workplace. Keep in mind that this time is usually unpaid, so you will need to plan for any impact on your household budget.”

Look Into Childcare Options

We recommend looking into childcare immediately. Selecting a daycare can feel like a weighty and challenging task. Beyond considering the proximity to your home or work and availability, you’ll want to look into the price, hours of operation, the ratio of children to caretakers, and whether food, diapers, and wipes are provided.

Find a Pediatrician

It is imperative to start looking for a doctor about three months before your due date. Ask for recommendations from relatives, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and doctors you know. Then, it is important to check your insurance company’s website and see if it covers the doctor in your plan.

Enjoy Your Baby Shower

This is a day to celebrate you and the baby! Lucky for you, you mostly do not need to do much for the baby shower. Most baby showers are typically hosted by close friends or relatives. The only thing you need to worry about is attendees and having your baby registry completed. However, if you choose to throw your own baby shower, no matter how elaborate or simple, get help from those close to you. It will all come together beautifully.

Photographer: Janet Howard Studio/ Babyshower Featured Here

Pack Your Hospital Bag

This is one of the most important things to do in your third trimester. In most cases, moms who deliver vaginally stay in the hospital for one to two days. If a mom delivers with a c-section, they would be looking at closer to three or four days. Mommy-to-be will need to pack comfortable clothes, a robe, toiletries, your birth plan, extra long cell phone charger, snacks and drinks, pillows and bath towel, nipple cream, adult diapers, and other postpartum care products, your glasses or contact lenses, pajamas, and slippers and comfortable footwear. In addition, make sure you make a checklist for your baby coming home, including infant car seat, going-home outfit, socks or booties, and weather-appropriate clothes.

Are you feeling more prepared after reading this article? What’s the first thing you plan on doing?