Checklist for new moms???

[Anonymous]

I know this is a really random question, but I'm a checklist type of person. I planned my wedding with checklists and have lists all over my house to remind me to do things and organize priorities. So, my question is this... are there any good checklists out there that you all can reccommend that offer good guidance on when to do certain activities in planning for the birth of our first child? For example is there something that says "X months out: Schedule tour of hospital, sign up for birthing classes, create baby registry" etc? I know that all of these tasks will vary person to person, but I'm struggling with organizing all of my "To Do" items in a chronological fashion. Any help would be greatly apprecaited!

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Month-by-Month Pregnancy Checklist for Expectant Moms

First Three Months of Pregnancy (The 1st Trimester)

Look through all of the Maternity Services information on this Web site
Browse other web sites with information about pregnancy and babies
Get a book on pregnancy and read about the first trimester
Read about your baby’s development in 1st trimester
Talk to your OB doctor about diet, fluid needs, exercise, rest and activity
Stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, and don’t use any street drugs
Ask your doctor before taking any medication (even aspirin or nose spray)
Make sure you take your prenatal vitamins every day

4th Month of Pregnancy

Contact your hospital
Review your insurance pregnancy coverage and co-pay
Check with your employer about maternity and family leave benefits
Find parent education classes
Decide which classes you want to take

5th Month of Pregnancy

Select possible names for your baby or babies
Think about how you want to feed your baby
Choose a doctor to take care of your baby – See How to Choose a Pediatrician

6th Month of Pregnancy

Begin to plan for your childbirth experience
Call your chosen baby care doctor to ask to become a patient
Ask questions of the baby care doctor
Shop for baby care items
Begin to think about child-care plans, if returning to work or school

7th Month of Pregnancy

Sign-up for Parent Education Classes
Arrange for a maternity tour if you’re not going to childbirth classes
Decide on feeding method for your new baby
Ask your doctor about required newborn tests

8th Month of Pregnancy

Start gathering items to pack for the hospital
Make a practice run to the hospital. Check out parking and entrance
Make sure everything is ready at home for the baby
Prepare siblings for the birth of the new baby – See Sibling Preparation
Shop for an approved infant car safety seat

9th Month of Pregnancy

Pack your bags for the hospital
Decide on baby’s name
Learn to use the infant car seat
Follow-up on child-care plans, if returning to work or school
Fix and freeze some future meals; arrange for help once home
Double check that you have all needed baby supplies.

[Anonymous]

The list by PP is great - I just have one correction. I would recommend signing up for childbirth education, parenting classes and hospital tour in your third month (or earlier). We waited until month 4 and both hospital and private classes were booked solid for another 4 months. By the time my classes come up, I will be in my 8th month. It appears as though I will be delivering early and will probably miss the classes.

[Anonymous]

Also, sign up for daycare waitlists now if that is the route you plan on going.

[Anonymous]

I posted the list. I cut and paste it from something I found online. I am now 9 months pregnant, realized some other things are missing from the list!

If you are having a shower, registering for gifts is a good idea. Get ahold of the Baby Bargains book now, recruit a new mom if you know one, and go to town.

Congrats on your pregnancy, and trust that in the end everything that needs to get done will. You have already done the most important bit.

[Anonymous]

This list frightens me, and I'm even a total Type A person. If you want to use a daycare center, put your name on lists today. Then relax and enjoy the pregnancy glow. 99% of this stuff is completely unnecessary. If you want to be extra prepared, maybe buy a car seat before the bambino arrives. (But, if not, you can just send your partner out to do it while you're recovering in the hospital. It will give him something to do.) Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you all for your excellent advice and I truly appreciate the lists! Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

I would add (for purely practical purposes) in month 7--start cooking and freezing! (We were on a budget, so constant take-out wasn't an option.) Make soups, casseroles, lasagna, chili, etc. Freeze them in bags in the freezer. The "gravy train" that family and friends brings ends WAY too early. This made a HUGE difference in my sanity when baby was still nursing constantly at 3 months. Not much time to shower, let alone cook. When hubby would get home after a hard day, we would both look at each other like "Why aren't YOU cooking??". Thank God for the freezer stash! Only wish I had made more.