Be Ready For Birth

Being ready for baby takes some planning. There are things to buy, and things to do. I have some suggestions about getting ready, as well as when you should have things done, or on hand. These are things I feel every parent should take care of regardless of if baby is going to be born at home or at a hospital.

By 36 weeks:

• Have a car seat on hand.
• Find out what your health insurance requires to add baby after birth.
• Decide on a health care provider for your newborn, and take care of any paperwork needed to get care started.

By 37 weeks:

• Make arrangements for someone to provide childcare during labor and birth if you have youngsters.
• Make arrangements for pet care.
• Pack a bag for the hospital.
• Make a birth plan for the hospital.
• Have any paperwork such as FMLA required by an employer completed.

By 38 weeks:

• Confirm pet care arrangements.
• Confirm child care arrangements.
• Stock up on easy to prepare food and snacks for during labor and in the first few days postpartum. You will need to keep your pantry well stocked since it’s unknown exactly when baby will arrive.
• Have car seat base, or car seat installed. Most fire and police departments have certified installers.
• Have a waterproof mattress cover, and sheets you are okay getting soiled ready. Consider putting them on the bed since your water may break before labor begins.

Being prepared will make things lower stress and easier when the time comes. No one wants to be trying to figure out how to install the car seat or making last minute phone calls to find someone to take care of your pet when labor starts.