The Third Trimester of Pregnancy: 9 Last Minute Things to Do While Waiting for Baby

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The last trimester of pregnancy is definitely the hardest. You’re just waiting around for your baby to be here already!

They seem to go by so slowly and you get more uncomfortable, more tired, and more impatient! You really just want your baby in your arms.

Near the end of my pregnancy I struggled to find things to do while I wait around for labor.

It can also be easy to fall out of a routine. I’ll admit for the first few days I went on maternity leave, I really just lazed around the house and caught up on some Netflix shows.

There’s nothing wrong with a little (or a lot) of relaxing, but it’s not going to make the time go by any faster.

It also makes it harder to stay healthy and active!

Although what exercise looks like can change throughout your pregnancy, there are still ways to be active, even when you’re big and uncomfortable!

All that being said, keeping busy could be the best thing for making the time go by a little faster.

You can use these last few weeks to make sure you have absolutely everything for baby ready.

You could also prepare some things ahead of time to make your life easier in the first few weeks, and to start a routine for what could be another few weeks of waiting for baby’s arrival.

Here are 9 things that you can do while you are waiting for your little one to arrive!

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STOCK UP ON BABY ITEMS, POSTPARTUM ITEMS, AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Stock up on diapers, wipes, nursing pads, and household items like toilet paper, and staple food items that won’t go bad.

It’s also a good idea to sign up for a subscription for some of these items.

Amazon gives you a discount on things like diapers and wipes if you sign up for a subscription of these items, and the more things you subscribe to getting the more the discount is!

And again, stock up on SNACKS! You don’t want to be a hangry mama while you’re going through that postpartum recovery.

SET UP A MORNING, NIGHTLY, AND/OR DAILY ROUTINE

I have fallen out of my routine since I started working less, and now that I’m not working at all. It’s easy to be lazy and not want to do much when you really have no obligations to go anywhere.

If it helps you stay in your routine, try writing it down! You can use a cute notebook!

That is why I decided to start up a morning routine. It looks something along the lines of:

• Waking up at a decent time (some days I do stay in bed with hubby when he works night shifts, but my mornings are my time to myself, so I still try and get up before him most days)
• Listen to some relaxing music and do some stretches or a full light yoga routine
• Feed the dog and let her out
• Go outside with the dog for a few minutes to get some fresh morning air (weather permitting, but I try and do this no matter what)
• Eat breakfast
• Read and/or do some work

Ideally I like to try, or at least say I try and stay off my phone for this routine but that never really happens…

I try and go for a walk in the afternoon, but lately it’s been super cold and snowy so sometimes I just do some more stretching or yoga (I love this yoga mat).

My evenings are spent either with my husband or alone watching Netflix or doing some writing. It can be helpful for some people to have a set routine for their full day or at least for their evening as well, so try it out!

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PREPARE FREEZER MEALS AND SNACKS FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS

This is an idea that lots of seasoned mamas will suggest to you! There are lots of ideas on Pinterest too. You are not going to want to cook every night, and as nice as it would be to get take-out every night, that just isn’t realistic.

Do yourself a favor and get a crockpot (this is the one I have and I love it) or instant pot to help with this! You’re going to want to use it lots when baby comes too, to make meal prep fast and easy.

You’re also going to want lots of snacks to munch on during your recovery, especially if you’re breastfeeding. It makes you super hungry!

GET A MANICURE AND PEDICURE

Treat yo self. I’m not afraid to admit that I got a manicure for the event of my labor and delivery. Having nice, manicured nails makes me feel good, and I’m going to need all the good feelings I can get, and so will you!

If you’re anything like me, your feet are probably sore from carrying around all that baby. And there’s no way you’re reaching down to try and paint your own toes… so a pedicure is the perfect option.

If you’re not into mani/pedis, do something else nice for yourself! Get a fresh haircut, get a pregnancy massage, or anything that you like to do and likely won’t have a lot of time for when baby comes.

CLEAN THE HOUSE

You’re probably already doing this if you’re in that nesting phase, but it’s a good idea to do a deep clean before the baby so you don’t have to worry about it too soon after the baby.

Not that you’ll really care at that point, but it will be nice to have a clean house. If you’re anything like me, it will help you keep your sanity a little.

If you don’t have the energy, this is a good thing to invest in. Have someone come into your house and pay them to do a nice thorough clean. It may even be something you want to continue every few weeks or once a month for a few months after the baby!

Anything that makes your life a little easier is a worthwhile investment.

There is always the option of enlisting your hubby or partner to do some of the chores you usually do of course! You’re growing a human, they can pick up the slack a little.

You could also take people up on all those offers you’re probably getting from friends and family for anything you need done.

If your mom, any family member, or any friend is offering to help you in the last weeks of pregnancy and in the first few weeks with baby, tell them they can clean or bring over some food!

There is absolutely no harm in taking people up on these offers. I have been and I plan to. 

WASH ALL THE BABY GEAR

All that fresh new baby clothing you were given? It all needs to be washed. Babies’ skin can be sensitive to new fabrics so washing everything is a must.

That includes all their clothes, hats, socks, blankets, swaddling blankets, towels, face cloths… anything that is going to be touching their fresh, new skin.

Also, outside germs.

The nice thing about this is baby stuff is pretty small! Lots of things can be thrown into one or two loads and it shouldn’t really take up too much time.

Used items of course need to be washed too. Do one load a day for a few days and you’ll have it done in no time!

PACK YOUR HOSPITAL BAG

I think most moms procrastinate starting this for some reason.

I know moms who have packed during labour! Although this could be a good distraction and I will most likely have lots of time, I’d rather spend early labour sleeping or eating rather than packing my bag.

There are some things I will probably have to throw in last minute, but for the most part my bag is packed or well on its way.

You should also pack baby’s bag, and maybe even help your partner start packing their bag! Keep in mind how long you may be at the hospital and remember baby doesn’t really need that much while they are in the hospital.

Most things I packed for the baby I put right into the diaper bag. This Little Unicorn Diaper Bag is the one I have and love!

GO ON A MINI BABY-MOON OR DATE NIGHT

My husband and I went on a one-night trip to the city for a mini get-away before the baby was here.

I was perfect timing, because it was right around Valentine’s Day too! Hubby planned the whole trip and kept it a surprise.

It was nice because it gave me something else to look forward to other than waiting for the baby. And I didn’t have to lift a finger to plan it!

A nice date night or even a girls’ night is just as great an idea. It gives you a reason to get out of the house, and a reason to get dressed up and feeling good about yourself.

If you don’t feel like leaving the house or getting dressed up, a take-out and movie night in might be exactly the thing you need! 

TAKE YOUR LAST PREGNANCY PHOTOS FOR MEMORIES

Even if you don’t feel like taking pictures of yourself (if you don’t I totally feel that), you won’t regret it. Waiting for this baby can be hard and mentally draining, but I know I’m going to miss every second!

Okay maybe not every second, but most of it.

You’ve put a lot of time and energy into forming this little human and you’ll never again feel this baby inside you. Maybe you’re jumping up for joy at that thought, but I know there are some things I missed about it all.

So, know you’re not alone! I too was waiting impatiently! Try to enjoy these last few weeks by doing these nine things to prepare for the baby and for your new role as mama, or for your role as mama of one more kiddo!

Enjoy your last weeks of pregnancy mama! The last trimester is the hardest but you’re so close!

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