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.
​
Deep breaths... you'll be prepared.
7 Months
PLAN YOUR MATERNITY LEAVE
Communicate this early and remind your colleagues often! You are entitled to this time.
Maternity leave can be a stressful thing to plan and communicate to your team/manager. It's worth getting approval for your plan early on so your team can prepare (both literally and mentally!) before you leave. This will also spare you from worrying about it the later on in your pregnancy.
​
Would recommend taking the maximum amount of time you can - do not be a hero!
​
If you don't get maternity leave through work, or if you are self-employed, your state most likely offers Disability Insurance (which applies to the very end of your pregnancy and beginning of postpartum) and Paid Family leave (which applies to a number of weeks after the baby is born for parent-child bonding). In California, you are entitled to 6-10 weeks of disability, depending on any pregnancy complications and what kind of delivery you have, as well as 12 weeks of paid family leave.
ENJOY YOUR BABY SHOWER!
If you're having a baby shower, you'll likely schedule it for months 7 or 8. Enjoy it, document it and don't sweat the silly games!
Enjoy this special day to celebrate you and your baby. A few things to remember:
-
Take photos - your baby will want to see this.
-
If you're opening gifts as an activity, make sure someone writes down who gifted what items.
-
Save something as a keepsake for your child: a napkin, menu, something from the cake, etc.
-
Soak in all the love!
HAVE YOUR PHOTOSHOOT
Savor this moment - you'll never get it back.
Needless to say, photoshoots are awkward - a maternity photoshoot can definitely put you on pins and needles. Do whatever you can to relax and soak in this moment. Get inspired before your shoot - listen to music that moves you, read some poetry by Jessica Urlichs, watch Father of the Bride II - whatever you need to do!
​
If you're doing a nude photoshoot (and you should!) make sure you have invisible, nude underwear (like this) and a few outfit options. Natural hair and makeup will look more authentic!
PLAN FOR BABY'S FUTURE
Before Baby arrives, you'll want to discuss estate planning, legal guardianship and medical directive with your partner and a professional.
I'm married to a Family Wealth Advisor so, naturally, topics of financial planning for our baby were discussed daily during my pregnancy...how fun! There's a lot you can do to plan for your baby's financial wellbeing, but here's what he would say is absolutely critical:
-
living trust
-
family will and legal guardianship
-
medical directive
-
change beneficiaries (see below)
-
open 529 plan account (see below)
While this is one of the last things you want to think about at this time, you'll want to make sure your Baby has legal guardians designated at or soon after birth. This falls into the category of Unpleasant But Important. Talk with your partner and pick someone who shares your parenting philosophy and has the means and lifestyle to take care of a child. A set of grandparents or aunt/uncle is often an easy choice. Make sure to formally ask and discuss with these designated guardians. Once you've chosen these people and Baby arrives, you'll want to set up a Legal Will, in which you'll designate Legal Guardianship and Advanced Medical Directive for your child.
​
If you're also honoring anyone as Godparents, now would be a good time to choose those people with your partner and congratulate them! Honoring loved ones as Godparents is a special way to get the important people in your lives more involved in your baby's life. You may want the Godparents to be the same as your child's official, legal guardians, but this isn't always the case.
Either way, now is also good time to select these people and let them know.
8 Months
PRE-REGISTER AT HOSPITAL
You need to pre-register at the hospital or birthing center so they have all of your information before you go into labor. When you're fighting through contractions, you won't want to be filling out forms.
During the registration process, which is most likely online, you'll submit information like your health insurance policy but also preferences such as any room upgrades, etc.
Ask your OB if there's anything you should know before you register.
BOOK YOUR NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT
If you want to freeze time during these early weeks, book a newborn photographer!
If you're doing this, you'll want to book around now. Capturing moments from these early weeks is really special and will be an incredible keepsake for your child when s/he grows up.
Most people do about 1-2 weeks after birth, but you'll be tired and your baby may look a bit alien-like. At ~1 month, the baby is much more interactive (and cute!) so you may want to do this a little later than immediately after birth. Personal choice!
​
In choosing a photographer, it's important that you work with someone who specializes in newborn shoots if you're looking for portraits of your baby. Working with, and capturing, a newborn is very tricky and requires specific skills to get the right shots. There is also a level of care and patience that a standard photographer will likely not have. If you're just looking for standard family photos, any family photographer should be fine. For newborn photographer recommendations, please contact us here.
DO YOUR THANK YOU NOTES!
Get this out of the way, now!
Do this now! You'll have limited time once the baby comes, so get them out of the way. You will thank yourself for it.
TOUR YOUR HOSPITAL
Don't forget to do this! You won't regret it.
DISCUSS YOUR BIRTH "HOPES"
Do away with a birth "plan" and stick with birth "hopes." Then talk through them with your partner, doctor and anyone else who will support your birth.
I firmly believe that the best birth plan is no plan - the truth is, the vast majority of births don't go as "planned." Things come up, curve balls are common, and you don't want to set yourself up for disappointment by having a meticulous plan for things that will inevitably out of your control.
What I would recommend is to have some birth intentions, or "hopes." For example, if you're intending to skip the epidural, that's great! But know that you may end up feeling differently in the moment, and that's OK too. You may also *hope* to have a vaginal birth rather than a C-section, but the latter may end up being what's safest for you and Baby - and you don't want to feel like your plan "failed." I've found that being open-minded and comfortable with whatever happens brings new moms most calm and joy in the process.
What you can plan for is your mindset going into your birth, as well as the roles you, your partner and your doctor will play. For example, your partner may be responsible for making sure you're fed and hydrated during contractions. Your doctor will probably be responsible for determining what's safest for your baby given any medical needs.
​
Once you've thought through the above, it's important to talk about your hopes and preferences with your doctor, such as choices around pain management, interventions, etc.
FINISH YOUR CLASSES
Make sure you get these out of the way before your last month!
In case you go into labor early, try to get your prenatal classes done before the last month. Remember to make friends!
FINISH YOUR NURSERY
Now is a good time to prep your nursery so it's all ready for Baby.
Again, now that you're entering the "s/he could arrive any week now" phase, you'll want to feel like your home is completely ready for Baby. This includes:
​
-
Washing, folding and putting away all fabric items (e.g., clothing, blankets, swaddles, burp cloths, bath towels, sheets, stuffed animals etc.). Make sure you're using baby detergent on all fabric items that will touch Baby. It's also helpful to organize clothing by size so you know what you have and what's on deck.
-
Setting out diapering materials on the changing table (e.g., diapers, balm, cream, wipes, etc.)
-
Setting up your bassinet (e.g., putting sheets on, testing it out if you have the Snoo, etc.)
-
Prepping your bath setup (e.g., washing your baby bath, setting up your infant bath insert, placing any pouring pitchers and soaps where you plan to bathe Baby, practicing heating up the water to 95-99 degrees, etc.)
-
Washing and sanitizing all bottle parts and pacifiers
-
Washing, sanitizing and testing your breast pump and pump parts
​
Get everything done as soon as you can so you're not scrambling at the last minute.
9 Months
PACK YOUR BAGS!
Your Hospital Bag list here.
See Your Hospital Bag for a complete list of items you'll need. While this list is comprehensive (read: long), err on the side of as few items as possible. If you're someone who gets anxious about not having everything you need, bring the full list of items. If you're someone who gets overwhelmed with a lot of stuff to lug around, bring only what you feel you'll absolutely need.
​
Remember that if you have a scheduled C-section, you'll be in the hospital for 3-4 nights. Also remember that if you intend and hope to have a vaginal birth, you still may end up with a C-section, so bring enough to get you through 3-4 nights just in case.
​
As you start setting out items to pack in your bag, now is the time to set your cord blood collection kit with your hospital items.
NARROW DOWN YOUR NAMES
Agree on your short list!
To avoid scrambling in the hospital when Baby arrives, especially if you have a delivery that's sooner than expected, narrow down your list of names! Sit down with your partner and discuss the pros and cons of each one.
One method for narrowing down your list:
-
You and your partner should each privately write down your top 5-8 names. Then, reveal them to each other.
-
Discuss pros and cons of each name. Why do you love it? Why don't you love it? How does it sound with the baby's last name? Any significance to the name?
-
Remove any names you both decide you don't like.
-
Combine the names into one longer list and each write down that combined list of names.
-
Each take the list and privately cross out the half of names that you like least.
-
Reveal and align on 1-3 names from which you can pick once you see Baby!
PREP YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT
Get this organized before Baby arrives.
If you plan to send a birth announce - either digital or print - get your recipient list and content organized now. Think about who you want to share this exciting news with, and who might appreciate knowing. Don't forget about those in your professional network - this is a great opportunity to share some personal news and rekindle connections that may have faded over the last year or so.
Put together your list of names and addresses (email or physical) so there's no thinking required when Baby arrives. Build your card design now so all you need to do is drop in the name, stats and photo. You'll be thankful you got this done early - searching for addresses is the last thing you'll want to do while recovering.
​
For digital announcements, Paperless Post has nice options. For paper, Artifact Uprising is a favorite and Minted is very popular.
INSTALL YOUR CARSEAT
Do this at least a month before your due date. This is a must.
Well before you due date, install your car seat and learn how to properly secure it in the base and remove it. Make sure each of you is comfortable doing this, as you never know when you may need to rush your baby do the doctor.
Note that the hospital will not let you leave with Baby unless your carseat is properly installed. If you want to have it professionally installed and/or inspected, you can do so here.
CHECK YOUR PETS
Visit your vet to take care of any lingering issues and protect Baby!
If you have pets, make sure to take them to the vet. Make sure they're up-to-date on their vaccines and get them checked for any bacterial/skin infections that could spread to Baby.
Stool testing is also great idea to make sure they aren't carrying any parasites or pathogens. This sounds pretty neurotic, but you'd be surprised what even the cleanest pets can carry!
10 Months
HELLO, BABY!
DON'T FORGET!
Quick reminders before you leave for the hospital.
You've hit month 10! Baby is almost here (if not already!).
​
Before you go to the hospital, don't forget to do these few things:
-
Bring! Your! Cord! Kit! This is the thing that everyone forgets, and you really don't want to. Make sure you have it when you head out the door.
-
Run through your hospital packing list quickly and make sure you have everything. Don't forget your phone charger (or phone...)!
-
Make sure you have your carseat properly installed.
-
Start a text thread of VIPs (e.g., grandparents, godparents, siblings) to send updates as labor progresses. It'll be easier than texting a bunch of people, and there will be no hard feelings of someone finding out before another.
-
Start a shared photo album with the same people so you can upload photos of baby from the hospital for everyone to see in one place. Again, this is easier than sending to everyone in bits and pieces.
-
Ask someone to pick up the newspaper from that day, or to do it tomorrow, depending on the time of day.
​
Because of COVID, your partner may not be able to leave the hospital and return once you get there. A few other things you may want to do before you run out, if you have time:
-
Take a shower! It will be much more pleasant to feel clean going into the hospital, and you may not want to shower there, depending on how many nights you stay.
-
Take the trash out. If you're gone more than a couple of days, better to have the house clean and ready when you get home.
-
If it's cold out, leave the heat on. If it's hot out, leave the A/C on. You don't want to bring Baby home to an overly hot or cold home.
​
DAY-OF CHECKLIST PRINT IT!
ANNOUNCE YOUR BABY
Share the love!
Congrats! Baby has arrived! One you've finalized your name and feel ready to share the news, send out the announcement you prepped a few weeks ago. Add a cute photo and his/her birth stats, if you're comfortable.
​
Don't forget to think about your network when sending this out - it's a great way to reconnect with people and involve them in your journey.
ADD BABY TO YOUR HEALTH POLICY
You have 30 days, but do it now.
Call your medical insurance provider and add Baby to your plan. Most plans give you 30 days to do this, but it's worth getting it done as soon as possible.
Once you've added Baby, the coverage may take a couple of weeks to kick in, but you should be good. The hospital (and NICU) know to wait a while before sending your bill since families are often changing medical coverage during this time. Just make sure to confirm they have Baby's (and your) plan information once it's settled. Confirm this with your pediatrician's office, too.
UPDATE YOUR BENEFICIARIES
Make sure your beneficiaries for any assets are updated.
Now that you have a dependent (!), you may want to update the beneficiaries on your life insurance, 401k, or any existing trusts.
​
For life insurance, you can do this through your provider's website or your employee insurance portal. This also goes for an employee-sponsored 401k plan.
​
For private retirement accounts or trusts, you'll need to go through the bank or your financial advisor.
​
If you're looking for more information or guidance on this, you can reach out to an expert here.
OPEN BABY'S COLLEGE FUND
Start saving (pre-tax) for Baby's education with a 529 Plan.
This sounds premature, but it's not. Starting to set aside pre-tax funds for Baby's college education is one of the best tax advantages out there. This money can grow immensely over the 18-year period, and Baby can use it for any college expenses when the time comes. This includes any supplies needed for college, other expenses, etc., not just tuition. If Baby gets a scholarship and doesn't need the funds, you can get this money back. Even if Baby becomes the next Bill Gates or an international teen pop star and decides to forgo college altogether, you can get this money back.
​
you can open a 529 plan account as soon as you have Baby's social security number. if you really want to overachieve, you can actually open one for yourself now and change the beneficiary to your baby once born. pro tip from my husband.
​
Here's how it works:
​
How to set one up
FINISH YOUR THANK YOU'S
Get. It. Done.
Seriously, just get this done.