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9 Things Every Pregnant Woman Should Do In Her Final Month Of Pregnancy
Everything has been leading up to this moment. The sleepless nights, swollen ankles, sick mornings (and, in some cases, nights) have finally paid off as you wait for your little one to make their grand entrance into the world. Now that you've made it into the home stretch of your third trimester, almost everything has been checked off your to-do list. That being said, there are still plenty of things every pregnant woman should do in her final month of pregnancy. You've probably taken all the precautions and followed every order from your medical advisor, but there may be certain things to take care of before your baby's arrival that you're not even aware of.
There's no need to worry, though. You're already doing a fair amount of that as you get ready to become a parent. Thankfully, arming yourself with all the necessary knowledge will not only ease your mind, but ensure that your pregnancy and childbirth will be as safe and healthy as possible. If you're curious as to what more you can do that hasn't already been done, then you'll want to check out these things that every pregnant woman should do in the last month of pregnancy.
1Discuss Your Birth Plan — With Everyone
No one expects an emergency C-section or any of the curve balls life can throw. That's why OB-GYN Dr. Kim Alumbaugh told Parents that you should put your birth plan in writing and make sure your medical team, family, and significant other knows exactly what you do or do not want done. This way, in case things get too hectic to communicate, everyone will already be on the same page about how your labor and delivery should go.
2Take Cover
Nothing can truly prepare you for the moment your water breaks. As parenting expert Rebekah Kuschmider suggested to Babble, parents-to-be should invest in a mattress cover in the last month of pregnancy so that cleaning up amniotic fluid won't be nearly as difficult. It's still not super fun, but trust me, a messy waterproof cover is better than a soaked bed.
3Schedule Announcements
If you're interested in sending out birth announcements when your little one arrives — whether by email or in print — you might want to get that prep out of the way. As author and parenting expert Cheryl Butler told Quick And Dirty Tips, organize your mailing list and schedule your birth announcements in advance so all you have to do is either press send or wait for your prearranged blurb to appear in print. You can even enlist others to help you with this, too.
4Sleep, Sleep, And Sleep
This one comes straight from experience. Insomnia may be hitting you hard as you're counting down the minutes until you meet your baby, but try and get as much rest as possible. Not only is this relaxing, but, as my doctor recommended, quality sleep is healthy for you and your growing baby.
5Monitor Movement
Since your little one has been doing somersaults for a while now, you're probably pretty familiar with how and when they move. According to Baby Center, it's important to monitor your baby's movement in the final months of pregnancy. That way, if there is any kind of irregularity, you can alert your physician immediately to be safe.
6Stock Up
No matter how much time you think you'll have to get things done, it's rarely enough. Today's Parents recommended you save time by cooking and freezing meals in your last month of pregnancy. Your future self will thank you.
7Treat Yourself
Being pregnant can be one of the most challenging experiences in a woman's life and should be treated as such. So as your due date approaches, set aside some time to treat yourself, mind, body, and soul.
8Spoil Siblings
If this isn't your first baby, it's a good idea to make sure your other children are getting ready for the big day, too. According to What To Expect, spending quality time with your child before they become a big brother or sister is an important way to strengthen your family's bond. Whether it's taking a trip, playing their favorite games, or something else entirely, everyone will benefit.
9Buckle Up
Chances are, you've probably set up your baby's nursery and are stocked up on diapers. But there is one thing that some people forget to do before the big day. According to Baby Center, most every hospital requires a car seat is properly installed before you can take baby home. So save yourself a potential hassle and go ahead and get everything ready for the ride home.
