How Prepared Are You Before Your Delivery?

Firstly, congrats being on your way to making a beautiful family! Now that you're at your third trimester, approaching the baby's due, what have you got prepared? Not sure what to do? We got you some tips on what to do before your miracle comes into the world!

Find and Consult a trusted pediatrician

There are so many fun things to do to prepare for your baby after birth, but let's confront the important ones first - finding a trusted pediatrician and having a consultation at least once before labor. Do you know any reputable pediatrician? Do any of your friends or family members know someone they would recommend? Ask around, research, and choose one that fits you! This way, after birth, you would not be stressed searching for one, only to find an impatient lady attending to you... Yikes!

Try a test-run before the actual day

You (or the father) have NO time to read signs and run around the hospital to find the right building, department, and room to give birth in. To prevent wasting time, visit the hospital to be familiar with where to park and where to go.

Make a birth plan

You cannot control when you get labor, but you can control what happens during labor, birth, and postpartum. A birth plan will help you plan out what will happen during this crucial period. Some points you can think of are how you want labor to be, what to do during labor period (e.g., yes to epidural or no?), what do you want/need during birth (e.g., A mirror to see your delivery process), things you would like post-delivery (e.g., the father to cut the umbilical cord?). A birth plan will not only give you a sense of control but also have others involved, such as the nurses and family members, to be clear and aware of what you want and need.

Get waterproof bed pad AND cot mattress pads

Now, just in case you're in bed and your water breaks, it will be useful to have a waterproof bed pad below/near you, so that water will not seep into the sheets and mattress - that would be a lot of work cleaning out after your baby comes back home with you.

As for waterproof cot pads, consider getting at least two. Lay the pad first before laying out a fitted sheet over the waterproof pad. Repeat with another waterproof pad and fitted sheet, and you are good to go! In the case where your little one pees or barfs all over the sheet in the middle of the night, you'll not have to worry about washing sheets in the middle of the night - just remove the first layer of fitted sheet and pad, and you are good to go!

Pack your bag (and your baby's)!

Write down a checklist of the things you would like to bring to the hospital. Leave the hospital bags by the door, so that you can rush to the hospital with the bags with no time to lose!

What should you bring for yourself? Some things you can take note to bring are travel-sized toiletries, plastic bags for laundry, nursing bras and pads, outfit to go home in, your birth plan, a folder (to keep pamphlets), a small notebook (to take notes), and cotton panties.

What should you bring for your baby? Besides diapers, consider packing an outfit to go home in, wipes, a couple of bibs and burp rags (in case the baby spits back milk), pajamas, socks (in case it gets cold), mittens (baby's nails are SHARP and challenging to cut/file), and a blanket.

Pre-wash baby clothes

Hygiene is crucial, especially when it comes to little babies. Your baby might have sensitive skin, which makes it all the more essential for all his/her clothes to be washed before wearing.

Install baby's car seat

It will be better to get the car seat installed before the baby comes. Make sure that it is installed correctly, and get it checked before placing your baby on the car seat!

Go shopping!

Let's face it, mothers. Looking in the mirror after giving birth, you will see stretch marks, you will see rolls you had not seen before you got pregnant. And, let's face it, you cannot lose them rolls overnight. To cater to your temporary "in-between" body shape, go shopping for loose-fitting clothes.

Get your nails done, get ready to pose!

This sounds weird, and I bet some of your faces are scrunched up in confusion. You might have gained a few (or many) kilos during your pregnancy, but that does not mean you can't be pretty for a photo! When you have just delivered a baby, you will definitely have many waiting to take pictures of you with your little one. Having great nails and great poses will ensure more epic images added to your collection. I recommend baby blue or pink nails, depending on the gender of the baby.

Well, these are some points you can think of and follow before the labor and delivery period comes your way. Hopefully, this post has helped you ease your planning process. Once again, congratulations, and happy delivery!