Month 3
You're in your third month of pregnancy now and most likely you're looking and feeling quite pregnant. Your waistline is expanding and hopefully morning sickness is a thing of the past. Now is the time to begin making preparations for your baby's arrival.
Use the following checklist to get a head start on pre-baby planning during month 3:
Tour Your Hospital
To put your mind at ease, especially if you are new to the area or you are a first-time mom, tour the hospital or birthing center where you plan to deliver. It's probably not a good idea to drop in unannounced, so call and find out if there are scheduled times for tours or make an appointment to see the labor and delivery suites. Read: Do Your Homework Before Choosing a Hospital
While you're on tour:
Find out when you need to fill out and turn in your pre-registration forms. Read: Pre-Register for the Hospital If You Can
Ask to see the room you will labor in. If you are concerned about having a private room, discuss those arrangements.
Ask about how and when hospital or birthing center staff would like to receive your birth plan. Read:Birth Plan Can Be a Roadmap to a Fulfilling Experience
Ask about hospital policy on internal fetal monitoring, rooming in and other concerns. Read: Monitoring Can Provide Early Warning for Problems During Birth
Car Seats
Since there are few objects you'll have to purchase that are more confusing than car seats, you'll want to research safety issues, compare products and buy the car seat. Check with consumer organizations to find product safety and quality reviews before you shop the stores or online. Read: It's Not Too Early to Install Baby's New Car Seat
Get Your Social Security Card
If you don't have a social security card, it's time to begin the process of replacing it. Why? The easiest and quickest way for you to get your newborn a social security number and card is when hospital staff is preparing the birth certificate. Without proof of Social Security numbers from both parents, you can't get a number and card for your baby. Read: How to Get Your Baby's Social Security Number
Baby Carriers
You may also want to get a baby carrier to carry baby around. If you like the option of a cloth baby carrier, which can enable you to carry him or her as you attend to daily chores, look for one that allows you to carry baby on your tummy or back with Velcro closures to make it easy to take baby in and out. Check with consumer organizations to find product safety and quality reviews before you shop the stores or online. Read: Stocking Up for Baby
Check Out Maternity Leave
Whether or not your pregnant tummy is noticeable, it's never too early to research your company's maternity leave policy, sometimes referred to as the 4 to 6-week (6 to 8 weeks for a C-section) period taken by an employee after childbirth. If maternity leave is not included in your employee handbook, contact human resources or your personnel department for a complete list of employee benefits and rights. Although it is up to you when and how you inform your boss and coworkers that you're pregnant, it's best to have your maternity leave plan figured out before the big announcement. Also, you might want to tally up any unused sick days or vacation time before you sit down to talk maternity leave with your boss. Read: Planning Your Maternity Leave
Carry a Water Bottle
Begin carrying a water bottle and sip it all day long. This is an easy way to insure you're drinking that needed 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. It is also a good habit if you plan to breastfeed. Keeping yourself hydrated is key to breast milk production and good health. It can also help prevent constipation and keep your skin healthy. Read: Getting Your Daily Doses of Water and Food
Play the Name Game
Who is that baby growing inside you anyway? A person's name is key to their identity. If you begin mulling over names now, you will be sure to give yourself enough time to make this important decision. You'll also have a more personal feeling for the tiny person who's growing inside of you. Read: Finding the Perfect Name for Baby
To put your mind at ease, especially if you are new to the area or you are a first-time mom, tour the hospital or birthing center where you plan to deliver. It's probably not a good idea to drop in unannounced, so call and find out if there are scheduled times for tours or make an appointment to see the labor and delivery suites. Read: Do Your Homework Before Choosing a Hospital
While you're on tour:
Find out when you need to fill out and turn in your pre-registration forms. Read: Pre-Register for the Hospital If You Can
Ask to see the room you will labor in. If you are concerned about having a private room, discuss those arrangements.
Ask about how and when hospital or birthing center staff would like to receive your birth plan. Read:Birth Plan Can Be a Roadmap to a Fulfilling Experience
Ask about hospital policy on internal fetal monitoring, rooming in and other concerns. Read: Monitoring Can Provide Early Warning for Problems During Birth
Car Seats
Since there are few objects you'll have to purchase that are more confusing than car seats, you'll want to research safety issues, compare products and buy the car seat. Check with consumer organizations to find product safety and quality reviews before you shop the stores or online. Read: It's Not Too Early to Install Baby's New Car Seat
Get Your Social Security Card
If you don't have a social security card, it's time to begin the process of replacing it. Why? The easiest and quickest way for you to get your newborn a social security number and card is when hospital staff is preparing the birth certificate. Without proof of Social Security numbers from both parents, you can't get a number and card for your baby. Read: How to Get Your Baby's Social Security Number
Baby Carriers
You may also want to get a baby carrier to carry baby around. If you like the option of a cloth baby carrier, which can enable you to carry him or her as you attend to daily chores, look for one that allows you to carry baby on your tummy or back with Velcro closures to make it easy to take baby in and out. Check with consumer organizations to find product safety and quality reviews before you shop the stores or online. Read: Stocking Up for Baby
Check Out Maternity Leave
Whether or not your pregnant tummy is noticeable, it's never too early to research your company's maternity leave policy, sometimes referred to as the 4 to 6-week (6 to 8 weeks for a C-section) period taken by an employee after childbirth. If maternity leave is not included in your employee handbook, contact human resources or your personnel department for a complete list of employee benefits and rights. Although it is up to you when and how you inform your boss and coworkers that you're pregnant, it's best to have your maternity leave plan figured out before the big announcement. Also, you might want to tally up any unused sick days or vacation time before you sit down to talk maternity leave with your boss. Read: Planning Your Maternity Leave
Carry a Water Bottle
Begin carrying a water bottle and sip it all day long. This is an easy way to insure you're drinking that needed 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. It is also a good habit if you plan to breastfeed. Keeping yourself hydrated is key to breast milk production and good health. It can also help prevent constipation and keep your skin healthy. Read: Getting Your Daily Doses of Water and Food
Play the Name Game
Who is that baby growing inside you anyway? A person's name is key to their identity. If you begin mulling over names now, you will be sure to give yourself enough time to make this important decision. You'll also have a more personal feeling for the tiny person who's growing inside of you. Read: Finding the Perfect Name for Baby
