Your Third-Trimester Birth Prep Checklist

The third trimester is the final stretch, and it can feel like a lot to organise on top of a growing belly and less sleep. The good news is that none of it needs doing all at once. This is a calm, practical checklist you can work through gradually over your last few months, so that by the time labour arrives you feel genuinely ready. It's general information, not medical advice, so always follow the guidance of your own midwife or doctor.

What counts as the third trimester?

The third trimester runs from around week 27 until your baby arrives. It's the last three months of pregnancy, and a baby born between 37 and 42 weeks is considered full term. In these final weeks your body quietly starts preparing for labour: your cervix begins to soften, your baby may 'drop' lower into your pelvis, and you might notice more Braxton Hicks tightenings. It's the perfect window to get everything in place.

Start early and tick things off gradually

The kindest thing you can do is spread these jobs across the trimester rather than leaving them to the last fortnight. A good rule of thumb is to have the essentials, your bag, your car seat and your birth plan, sorted by around 36 weeks, just in case baby decides to come a little early. Everything else can be ticked off at a relaxed pace.

Your health and appointments

Your antenatal visits become more frequent in the third trimester, often fortnightly and then weekly as you approach your due date. These check-ins are your chance to ask questions and raise anything that's worrying you.

• Keep up your antenatal appointments and any recommended tests or vaccinations (such as whooping cough).
• Pay attention to your baby's movements, and contact your care provider straight away if they slow down or change.
• Book a tour of your hospital or birth centre if one is offered, so it feels familiar.
• Talk through your birth preferences with your midwife or doctor.
• Make sure you know the warning signs that mean you should call, and the number to ring day or night.

Make a birth plan (and hold it loosely)

A birth plan is simply a written summary of your preferences for labour and birth. It's a lovely way to think things through in advance and to help your support person and care team understand what matters to you. The key is to stay flexible, because you can change your mind at any point, even during labour.

Things you might note in your birth plan:

• Your pain relief preferences, from comfort measures like movement, water and a TENS machine through to gas or an epidural.
• Who you'd like with you as your support people.
• The kind of environment you'd like, such as dim lighting, your own music, or freedom to move around.
• Your preferences for the birth itself, including positions and monitoring.
• What matters to you after birth, such as immediate skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, feeding, and vitamin K for baby.
• How you'd like things handled if your plans need to change on the day.

Sort the logistics

A little planning now saves a lot of stress when the day arrives. Think through the practical bits and share them with your support person.

• Plan how you'll get to hospital or your birth centre, and which entrance to use, especially at night.
• Check parking, or have a back-up plan if your support person can't stay with the car.
• Arrange who will look after any other children or pets.
• Confirm your maternity leave dates and hand over anything needed at work.
• Install a properly fitted, Australian-standard car seat and have it checked if you're unsure.
• Write a short list of who to call or message once baby arrives.

Prepare your home and baby's space

You don't need a nursery magazine setup, just the basics ready to go so you're not shopping with a newborn in tow.

• Set up a safe sleep space for baby, following current safe-sleeping guidance.
• Wash and sort a few newborn and 0000 outfits, wraps and singlets, since you won't know bub's size yet.
• Stock up on newborn nappies, wipes and any feeding gear you'll need.
• Cook and freeze some easy meals, and do a big pantry shop, so those first weeks are simpler.
• Tidy a comfy feeding spot with a charger, water bottle and snacks within reach.

Pack your bags by 36 weeks

Many mums find it easiest to pack two bags: a smaller one for labour with the things you'll want close by, and a larger one for your stay and the trip home. For a full run-through of what to include, see our midwife's labour bag checklist.

Prepare your body and your comfort tools

The last trimester is a good time to gather the comfort measures you might want in labour, and to get familiar with them before the day. Having your toolkit ready means you can reach for it the moment early labour begins at home.

• A labour TENS machine, which many women start using in early labour at home. Because it works best when started early, it's worth having it ready and organised well before your due date.
• A birth ball for rocking, leaning and staying upright.
• Heat packs for your lower back and belly.
• A playlist, speaker or headphones, and anything that helps you relax.
• Practising slow breathing, positions and counter-pressure with your support person.

If you'd like a TENS machine for your birth, we hire them across South-East Queensland from Tweed to Brisbane, cleaned and prepared with fresh pads and batteries, timed around your due date.

Look after your mind, not just the list

It's completely normal to feel more emotional in the third trimester, thanks to hormones, broken sleep and the big changes ahead. Antenatal or birth classes can help you and your partner feel more confident, and talking through any fears with your midwife makes a real difference. Rest when you can, and be kind to yourself. Feeling calm and supported is worth more than any perfectly organised nursery.

Know the signs labour is near, and the signs to call

As you approach your due date, it helps to recognise the early signs that labour may be starting, such as a 'show', period-like cramps, irregular tightenings, or your waters breaking. You can read more in our guide to coping with early labour at home.

Some things mean you should contact your hospital or midwife straight away, at any hour:

• Any vaginal bleeding.
• Your baby moving less than usual, or their movements changing.
• Your waters breaking, especially if the fluid is green or brown.
• Contractions starting before 37 weeks.
• A severe headache, blurred vision or sudden swelling, which can be signs of pre-eclampsia.

A gentle final word

Try not to see this as a race to tick every box. Work through it steadily, lean on your support person, and remember that a calm, rested mum is the best preparation of all. By the time those first contractions arrive, you'll have everything you need and can simply focus on meeting your baby.

References and further reading

• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (third trimester)
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (making a birth plan)
• Raising Children Network (preparing for birth: getting ready)
• healthdirect (warning signs during pregnancy)

Frequently asked questions