Practical List of Things to Do and When to Do Them
C&P from: Calibride31304
week 6 Congrats! Make ob/gyn appt. If you not taking prenatal vitamins, start now. Read up on restrictions regarding what to eat, drink, activities. Start mama yoga or exercise plan.
week 7 Stock up on soup, crackers, ginger ale m/s may start soon. Talk with your significant other about creating a will, choosing legal guardians, buying life insurance.
week 8-9 Probably first appt - may need to schedule blood test for first trimester screening and CVS and/or Nuchal testing.
week 10 Start investigating your maternity leave: How can FMLA, state disability, company policies work for you? Does significant other have paternity leave? How much leave can you afford?
week 12 You're in the clear to starting announcing!
week 13 Call health insurance and ask questions. How many u/s are you covered for? How long a hospital stay are you allowed? What tests are covered? What options are covered, like doulas, in-home birth, etc. Do they have a pregnancy program or offer classes?
week 15 Start buying maternity clothes. Start with pants, underwear in larger sizes, and bras.
week 16 Confirm your leave with your boss in writing with dates. Include coverage ideas and travel you will miss. Schedule big u/s for weeks 18-21, and schedule amnio if needed. If you want to take one last vacation, plan it for the 2nd trimester, two weeks AFTER the u/s, amnio, etc. - that way you don't have to cancel any vacation plans if you need additional testing.
week 19 Start investigating gear, like strollers, cribs, etc. and begin to register.
week 20 Start thinking about colors for nursery and what furniture you'll need. Plan a budget for big items.
week 21 Investigate child care in your area. Ask around for references. Would you prefer a large center or an in home? Nanny or au pair, live in or out? For future SAHMs, look for babysitters - and start calling for references. Many states have a license program, and you can download the list for your town, which gives you a better place to start than the phonebook. Make sure to check your state's sex offender registry for criminals near the address of the child care.
week 22 If having a shower, choose a date with the hostess - aim for weeks 28-33. Send out save-the-date cards.
week 23 Buy a baby scrapbook and start filling it out. You should be in full maternity outfits now. Anything worn in months 6-7 should fit after birth, so keep that in mind when purchasing.
week 24 Think about big baby proofing projects. Do you need lead paint covered, asbestos removed, loose railings sturdied, loose sockets repaired? Have your carpets cleaned, or floors polished. Add smoke detectors, radon, and carbon dioxide detectors (or check batteries if you already have them). Arrange for big jobs now.
week 25 Investigate your options for breast feeding versus formula feeding and for using disposable diapers versus cloth. You don't have to decide now, but start educate yourself and consider your options.
week 26 Prepare any pets for your new baby get them checkups and any immunizations. Ask the vet for advice on how to prepare them. If their food and water bowls are kept on the floor, start to move them after they eat to a counter now so it's not such a huge adjustment later.
week 27 When buying baby clothes, think about how old your child will be and what the weather will be like. If your child is born in February, don't buy 0-3 sundresses. This is especially important in terms of shopping the sale rack. Buy larger eventually, they will grow into them.
week 28 Register for childbirth class, child care class, breast feeding class, and hospital tour, if those apply to you.
weeks 27-30 Schedule glucose testing. Every other week appointments start now.
week 30 After taking childbirth class, consider creating a birth plan and review with dr. and birth coach. Include drugs, placenta plans, circumcision.
weeks 31-32 Finish decorating nursery.
week 33 Start calling pediatricians make sure they are covered by your insurance.
week 34 Pack two hospital bags: one for labor items, one for postpartum items. Think about baptism/christening/naming ceremony; check on what kind of arrangements you'll need to make in terms of money, outfits, other requirements.
week 35 Send shower thank you cards. Pick out birth announcements; buy stamps, create labels or address envelopes. Also make phone list for significant other, marking which people to call first.
week 36 Get a haircut, manicure/pedicure, etc. Wash all baby clothes, sheets, etc. and make sure the nursery is set up. Every week appointments start now.
week 37 Make freezer meals. Stock up on staples like toilet paper, paper towels, pet food, soap, cat litter. Make sure you have everything you need - diaper wipes, pain relief, pads.
week 39 Start walking and get lots of rest
