At 28 weeks pregnant, I’ve officially entered the third trimester! This means it’s time to get serious and start getting ready for baby arrival… like, right now. Here’s a glimpse of my 28-week bump—yes, that’s a piñata packed with baby essentials from our baby shower last weekend. Our friends are the best!
You can see a video about Getting Ready for Baby? 5 Simple Tips for a Confident Start!
But I digress. Back to reality:
I have no idea what I’m doing.
Last night, my husband Justin and I had a conversation that went something like this:
Justin: “Did you register for bottles?”
Me: “Yes, I registered for everything.“
Justin: “Did you get the good ones? Like Dr. Something?”
Me: “Um, I think I went with Playtex, just keeping it simple. Oh, but I didn’t add a bottle warmer. Should I? Don’t you just use the microwave?”
Justin: “If you want to give our baby radiation…”
So yeah, I clearly have no clue what I’m doing.
Which led to this morning’s rabbit hole: I found myself Googling how to warm a bottle. (I know, pretty pathetic, right?)
One search quickly spiraled into Googling “what happens during birth.”
Holy. Moly.
Which resulted in Getting ready for baby arrival
- A flurry of texts to my mom friends asking if birth is really as terrifying as it sounds.
- Buying three new baby books on Amazon.
- Adding a few more items to my already lengthy to-do list.
- Some intense Googling (episiotomy, signs of labor, stages of labor, Pitocin, what to pack in the hospital bag, and what happens in the first 24 hours post-birth).
That said, I do feel a tiny bit better now. Not fully prepared—but definitely better.
I’ve realized it’s all about feeling prepared.
Read More: First Trimester Tips: What to Expect in the First 13 Weeks of Pregnancy
When Does the First Trimester End? A Complete Guide to Early Pregnancy
Everyone says parenting instincts kick in once the baby arrives, but I need information to feel even a little bit at ease.
So here’s a list of things that have helped me feel more ready for what’s coming.
5 Ways to Feel Better Prepared for Baby’s Arrival
Attention expecting moms (whether it’s your first or third baby): here are five tips to help you get ready and feel less overwhelmed. You’ve got this, mama!
1. Ask Other Moms.
Reach out to friends who’ve had babies recently. Join a Facebook group dedicated to moms. I do both, and it’s been a lifesaver. Experienced moms love giving advice, and asking now is much better than waiting for unsolicited opinions to flood in when the baby is here, and your emotions are in overdrive.
2. Google One Question at a Time.
Be careful with Google—it can lead you down the same anxiety-filled rabbit hole I fell into this morning. But, for simple, specific questions, Google can be helpful. Just don’t Google “birth”—trust me, it’s too much information and way too scary all at once.
3. Follow a Pregnancy Blog That Makes You Feel Normal.
Pregnancy blogs can be super helpful when getting ready for baby arrival, easing the pressure to be a Supermom. Some medical books feel so rigid and overwhelming, and their tracking charts can make my inner perfectionist go a little crazy! I love reading Scary Mommy for a good laugh and a dose of reality.
4. Buy Books That Won’t Make You Feel Overwhelmed.
I own Baby 411 and What to Expect, but they make me feel like I need to take notes on every page. They’re packed with information—sometimes more than you need. I recommend starting with books on specific topics, once you’ve got the basics down. I just bought books on breastfeeding and labor because those are the areas I need more info on right now. The other medical books will be there when I need them, but I’ll take it one step at a time.
5. Tackle Your To-Do List to De-Stress.
We all have never-ending to-do lists during pregnancy, especially when getting ready for baby arrival. For me, it sometimes makes me feel even more unprepared. I love lists, but I also just stare at them sometimes. So, make a list and start checking things off! Some of my tasks include organizing baby shower gifts, washing and organizing baby clothes, and putting up nursery curtains. Crossing things off helps me feel a bit more in control.
I hope this list helps pull you out of your minor panic attack, as it did for me.
Read More: Week by Week Symptoms of Pregnancy
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