Third Trimester Pregnancy Checklist NZ

You are officially nearing the end. The third trimester from 27 weeks to 40 weeks or whenever your little one decides to enter the world is when you will really feel pregnant. You will start to get to know your little ones wake and sleep patterns. People will open doors for you and give up their seats for you, enjoy it, after all, you are creating a human being.

Third Trimester NZ: The Essential NZ Pregnancy Guide for Kiwi Mums in Their Third Trimester

1. Be aware of your baby’s movements. If they change and become less active contact your midwife straight away
2. Learn about third-trimester antenatal appointments
3. Be aware of pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore. Swelling, severe itching, headaches.Preeclampsia is very serious
4. Eat well and drink lots of water
5. Do some stretches. Keeping fit and flexible will help during labour
6. Massage your bump
7. Buy the big nursery items such as the cot,bassinets,car seat
8. Talk to your baby - sounds funny but many studies suggest they can hear through the womb and it can also be calming for them.
9. Learn about the stages of labour
10. Create a birth plan - Talk to your midwife about this and your partner.  These are some big decisions so do your research eg drug-free, water birth, delayed cord clamping
11. Get to know your contractions - learn about Braxton Hicks which are the body's way of preparing you for labour.  They can start from 16 weeks but are normally felt in the 2nd and 3rd trimester.
12. Buy clothes for your baby - if you don't know the sex keep it neutral and buy some smaller sizes.  5 vests, 5 onesies (short and long sleeve), buy better quality merino or 100% cotton at it’s breathable and better for babies skin.
13. Pack your hospital bag - My first baby was 5 weeks prem and my husband trying to pack my baby bag and asking questions like what colour I wanted while I was in labour was not a highlight!  Think of things like a phone charger as your phone running out of battery can be annoying as you need to be in contact with your partner.
14. Buy newborn nappies or think about reusables.  Disposable nappies may be the easier option to start with when they are pooping 5-10 times a day.  But definitely consider reusables as it’s far cheaper and better for the environment.   
15. Get more sleep, get more sleep, get more sleep.  Store it up and laugh now when friends without babies talk about being tired!
16. Stock up on household supplies - Just some simple things you don’t want to run out of.  Easy to prep food may be a big help if you already have kids or just want a simple life. Make things like lasagna and freeze them
17. Install your baby’s car seat - You will need a seat to take your baby home from the hospital and these can be hard to fit the first time.
18. Do a test run to the hospital and even go inside and park the car.  Always good to be familiar with the place you will give birth. 
19. Have a plan for who looks after your kids if you already have children.
20. Be creative about third-trimester sex.  Sex can be a nice stress relief and also increase intimacy with your partner, it’s also been known to lower blood pressure and improve sleep.
21. Call in the helpers! - Family and friends may want to help so give them some tasks.
22. Apply for paid parental leave
23. Avoid backache, use a belly belt
24. Prepare for the birth, mentally visualise a positive birth. Don’t listen to horror stories, everyone's births are unique and different. Go in with a positive attitude
25. Read up on newborn care
26. Prepare for breastfeeding, if you choose to do this
27. Help to bring labour on naturally, go for walks, have sex
28. In the final stages don’t travel more than 1 hour from your home so you are nice and prepared with limited stress.
29. Be aware of contractions and always call your midwife if you are unsure and they will advise if you should go to the hospital or wait longer.  Ideally waiting at home is better than waiting in a hospital.
30. Decide on how you will birth, this should be part of your birth plan but can catch you by surprise.  Eg on all fours, on your back, on your side 

Items You Need To Consider Buying - If you buy these all at once it can be a financial strain so getting some of the bigger things now can take some financial pressure off in your last stages:

1. Nappy Bag
2. Cot
3. Car Seat
4. Stroller
5. Maternity Bra
6. Change Table
7. Feeding Chair
8. Baby Carrier
9. Baby Bath
10. Portacot 

>>To view our full range of baby products that include free NZ shipping click here

Well, that's it, just one small thing to do now! You got this, you are all prepared and you will be just fine.  Please send us pictures of your newborn bundle of joy we love hearing from mums and dads at Godzown General Store.  You got this!

Please also feel free to comment below with additional suggestions that you wished you had known or think others will find useful.