Don't worry - you're not behind!
This guide outlines everything you need to do during each month of your pregnancy. Download our Pregnancy Checklist to track your progress.
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Deep breaths... you'll be prepared.
4 Months
START YOUR REGISTRY
People will be asking for your registry pretty quickly, so it's worth getting it started early.
See Registry Must-Haves for a full list of recommendations and sample Babylist Registry.
The most common baby registry websites include Babylist, BuyBuyBaby, Walmart and Amazon. I would recommend Babylist because the functionality is good and it allows you to add items from any store, unlike the other three. While Amazon is tempting, it's a bit overwhelming and can get tricky with shipping (people tend to be on autopilot with Amazon and make mistakes when shipping to a new person). Babylist is tailored for this use case, so it's the best choice.
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Starting a registry early lets you keep a list of the items you're considering as you do your research. You can start it now and hide it from the public until you're ready to share. You can also always add items as you go!
CHOOSE YOUR "VILLAGE"
If you're thinking of using a Doula and/or Night Nurse, start interviewing now.
You may want to use a Doula, either for your birth or postpartum, and/or a night nurse in the early weeks. While I was not initially into this idea, I've only heard feedback to the tune of "this saved our life," so I would consider it if it's accessible to you. It's a personal choice!
If you've decided to hire one of these, you'll want to take extra care to find someone who is the right fit for you and your partner. This is another person (or people) you'll spend quite a lot of intimate time with, so you want to put in the time during your search.
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The best way to find these resources is through referrals. Once you find a few names, set up some time to meet them in person and have a conversation about what this relationship will look like. Make sure to think about what it will be like to have this person in your home every day - the last thing you want during this time is to have someone who doesn't fit your vibe.
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Sample birth doula interview questions
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Sample postpartum doula interview questions
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Sample night nurse interview questions
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For a list of recommended doulas and nurses in Los Angeles or New York City, contact us here.
BOOK YOUR MATERNITY SHOOT
Some people like to capture this moment with a pregnancy shoot. If you're doing this, book now.
While it can seem a bit cringe-worthy, documenting your first pregnancy can be really special down the road, especially for your child. Many photographers can do incredible things to get a flattering and sentimental shot that you'll have forever. Once kids come into the picture, you'll see how tough it is to get a quiet, beautiful moment captured! Do this one! You won't regret it.
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The ideal time for a pregnancy photoshoot is around 27-30 weeks, when you've "popped" but still feel light(ish) and beautiful.
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For a list of recommended photographers in Los Angeles or New York City, contact us here.
5 Months
REGISTER FOR PRENATAL CLASSES
While it may feel like overkill, you'll definitely want to take a couple of classes. Sign up for classes starting at around 7-8 months.
Unless you're an OB, delivery nurse or NICU nurse, you'll be happy you took a couple of prenatal classes. This is not only beneficial for you, but very important for your partner. Knowing what to expect during the labor and delivery process, as well as the first few weeks after Baby is born, is invaluable. Don't skip this one.
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Generally, classes offered at your hospital will be a bit dry (and often unnecessarily scary!). There are some great virtual and in-person classes out there offered by other organizations. You'll want to take, at the very least, three types of classes:
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Labor + Birth. This will go over things like what early labor feels like, when to go to the hospital, what types of complications can arise, and what exactly happens during birth. Some things will surprise you! It's not like what's shown in movies. Again, this is invaluable for whomever will support you during birth, even if you have a doula. Top virtual recommendation: LOOM's Prepped Series.
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Newborn Feeding. Whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed, you'll want to take a feeding class. It's not as simple as you'd expect and being educated will make a big difference. These classes go over things like latching, breastfeeding troubleshooting, milk expiration rules, how to pump, how to burb properly, what to do about reflux, etc. Top virtual recommendation: LOOM's Feeding Class.
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Infant CPR. Don't rely on Youtube for this one. You'll want to take an infant CPR class with any other caregivers before Baby arrives (and potentially again, once s/he is born, as well). They will also often go over sleep safety, which is critical to prevent SIDS. Top virtual recommendation: XXX.
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If you're calmed by information and want to take additional classes, I would also recommend the following:
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Baby Sleep. While every baby is different, and your interventions aren't guaranteed to work, learning some tools to help your baby sleep well will pay enormous dividends. You'll learn about "wake windows" (the maximum number of minutes your baby should stay awake at each age), how to create an optimal sleep environment, how to minimize nighttime wakings, etc. Top virtual recommendation: Taking Cara Babies' Newborn Class "Will I Ever Sleep Again?"
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Newborn Care. For some people this is intuitive, but for most it is not. Especially if neither you nor your partner has taken care of a newborn before, a class can be very helpful. You'll learn the basics (e.g., how to change a diaper, how to give a bath) and some unexpected but very helpful tips (e.g., what rashes are normal and what requires medical attention, how often to clean Baby's ears, etc.). Top virtual recommendation: LOOM's Baby Care Series.
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See a full list of recommended classes here.
FIND YOUR NURSERY FURNITURE
Furniture often takes months to receive, so it's helpful to start early.
A great way to get started on decorating your nursery is starting with the big items: crib, changing table, rocking chair.
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See Registry Must-Haves for a list of recommendations. Whatever you choose, make sure your furniture is GreenGuard Gold Certified, which ensures it was made with non-toxic materials and meets the highest standards for infant safety. If you're not sure, call the manufacturer to confirm.
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Aim to have the furniture delivered at least 2 months early to account for an unexpectedly early labor or company delivery delays. The earlier you can get big things done, the better.
PLAN YOUR BABY SHOWER
The beginning of your third trimester is a great time for a baby shower, so now is a great time to start making plans.
If you have friends or family who have kindly offered to host and/or plan a baby shower for you, that's wonderful! Even if you have something you've been envisioning, I would recommend that you graciously accept the offer and just go with the flow! The only decision you should be involved in making is on the date - make sure it's late enough that you're showing but early enough that you feel up to socializing. Months seven and eight are great options.
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That said, plenty of new moms plan baby showers for themselves and that's great, too! Just make sure you start early so you're not inundated with details at the end (you'll have enough to think about!).
PICK YOUR PEDIATRICIAN
Interview and pick your baby's pediatrician - it's a great thing to get done early.
This is another person you'll be spending quite a lot of time with, especially in the first six months. Ask for recommendations from friends and your OB. Then interview at least a few doctors before picking one.
You'll want to consider the following when conducting your search:
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If you want them to be in-network for your insurance
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How many years of experience they have
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How you'd prefer to communicate with them when questions come up (e.g., email/text directly, call through the office, etc.)
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How close you'd like the office to be to home (remember, you could be going often in the beginning!)​
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Whether or not you're comfortable paying a concierge fee
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Once you've selected a few to interview, ask about the following:
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Coverage when they're not available
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How to get in touch when questions come up
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How emergencies are handled
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If/how they support other issues such as breastfeeding, sleep training, discipline, etc.
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Vaccine scheduling (if this is something you're concerned about)
6 Months
FINALIZE YOUR REGISTRY
Get the bulk of your registry done before your baby shower invitations are sent. You can always add to it later.
Make sure you have the important items selected and listed on your baby registry. See our Registry Must-Haves for a list of recommendations and sample registry.
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If you started your registry earlier and kept it private, remember to update the settings so it's now searchable by others.
REGISTER FOR CORD BANKING
If you're doing this, register now.
If you're interested in doing cord blood and/or tissue banking, it's best to call and register early. There are only a few players in the market and they're all about the same. I would recommend CryoCell if you're weighing between the most popular companies. If you're doing any banking, it's only a nominal increase in price to bank both cord blood and tissue, as well as store for the full 18-year period.
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When you choose and call your cord banking company, make sure to ask how the end-to-end process works so you understand what you'll need to do (tl;dr: you bring the kit to the hospital, the nurses prepare the kit with your baby's cord blood, you call the company and they pick up the kit). Once you register and receive your kit, make sure to fill out the paperwork in advance so you're all set once you get to the hospital. Store the kit at the right temperature per the instructions and keep it somewhere you won't forget when you're packing for the hospital.
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Call your hospital to make sure they are familiar with the cord banking process and to find out what they expect from you (e.g. calling for pickup).
BOOK YOUR HOSPITAL TOUR
Know what to expect and how to get around ahead of time!
COVID permitting, you'll want to know your way around the maternity ward at your hospital or birthing center, so sign up for a tour if its offered. The fewer surprises during labor, the better, and knowing things in advance like where to park, which elevator to use, how big (or small) the room is will make things much smoother when you're breathing through contractions on your way in. It's worth booking and doing this early so you're not scrambling at the last minute. It's an easy thing to get out of the way.
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Call or visit the website of your facility to sign up for a tour 6-8 weeks before your due date. If they offer classes, I would opt out (see Prenatal Classes recommendations).
ORDER YOUR BREASTPUMP
If you plan to breastfeed and pump, ordering the right breast pump for you can be tough (and take time!). Do your research early and order it in advance.
See Choosing Your Breast Pump for detailed comparisons and recommendations. In short, I would recommend a double cordless pump for ease, and would choose the Spectra S1 because it is powerful but has anti-backflow, unlike Medela. Wearable pumps have risen in popularity, but they will not yield as much milk, so if you're looking to pump seriously, you may want a more traditional pump. If you plan to pump at work, I would recommend the Elvie wearable pump over the Willow.
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Buying your pump: First, call your insurance and figure out which vendors are eligible for you to purchase a pump. You'll then be able to visit one of those vendor sites and choose an eligible pump that will be covered by your insurance. Most insurance companies will let you pay a nominal amount out-of-pocket for an "upgrade" to a higher-caliber pump. This is very worth it.
