When you’re gearing up for baby, there’s a lot to do. This handy month-by-month pregnancy checklist walks you through the key tasks for every stage of the journey, from TTC to your first month with baby.
TTC Checklist
Start taking prenatal vitamins Talk to relatives about your family medical history, including birth defects, miscarriages and genetic disorders Get a preconception checkup Get a tetanus booster and German measles and chicken pox immunizations See the dentist If you’re self-employed, apply for a private disability policy
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 4-8
Take a pregnancy test Tell your partner the good news Find an ob-gyn or other prenatal care provider Schedule your first prenatal checkup Check your health insurance policy to see what prenatal and childbirth care is covered Figure out how pregnancy, baby and maternity leave will affect your finances Create a savings plan for your child’s future expenses and education; companies like Stash can help you set up a custodial account Estimate how much raising a baby will cost and start saving accordingly Go to your first prenatal checkup (right around week 8)
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 8-12
Talk to your doctor about any prenatal testing you should (or want) to get Consider doing a First Trimester Screening to determine the risk of any chromosomal abnormalities in baby (between weeks 11 and 14) Complete your nuchal translucency screening (between weeks 10 and 12) If you’ve been planning to change your last name before baby is born, now is a good time; companies like HitchSwitch can help make the process stress-free Go to your next doctor’s appointment
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 12-16
If you haven’t already, get into a healthy pregnancy workout routine; sign up for a class or download a training app If you haven’t already, send out pregnancy announcement cards or come up with creative ways to announce your pregnancy to family and friends Tell your boss or employees about your pregnancy Start planning your maternity leave Go to your doctor’s visit
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 16-20
Start decorating your nursery or enlist professional designers Get started on your baby registry Look into childcare options Begin buying maternity clothes—or consider renting them! Go to your doctor’s appointment Have your mid-pregnancy ultrasound (around week 20)
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 20-24
Start interviewing pediatricians Research and sign up for childbirth classes Figure out baby shower logistics (date, host, location, guests, etc.) Go to your doctor’s visit
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 24-28
Finalize your baby registry If hosting, send out baby shower invites Update or write your will, including directions for baby’s inheritance and guardianship; you may even be able to complete it online Purchase life insurance; companies like Policygenius can make it hassle-free Update your 401K and retirement account beneficiaries If using a doula, start interviews Begin childcare interviews Go to your doctor’s visit Do your glucose challenge screening test
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 28-32
Babyproof the house Start fetal kick counts Create a birth plan Round out your pregnancy wardrobe with third trimester clothes, or rent some Enjoy your baby shower event! Send baby shower thank you notes for gifts (start one week after your shower) Take a childbirth class and a breastfeeding class, if you so choose If you want to bank baby’s cord blood, figure out where and order your kit Cook and freeze meals to have on hand after delivery Go to your doctor’s visits (two this month)
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 32-36
Buy any baby items you still need Prepare a baby first aid kit Finish painting and designing the nursery Install baby’s car seat and get it inspected Pack your hospital bag Find out what screening tests your hospital routinely gives newborns and talk to your doctor about any additional tests you’d like to run Go to your doctor’s visits (two this month) Do your Group B strep test (week 35-37)
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 36 Until Delivery
Wash baby’s clothes with newborn laundry detergent Go to your doctor’s visits (weekly until delivery) If needed, take a non-stress test If needed, do a biophysical profile
Month 1
Go to pediatrician’s visits (likely two to three times this month) Give baby first Hepatitis B vaccine (and second dose between 1 and 2 months) Ask pediatrician about Vitamin D drops for breastfed babies See a lactation consultant to help with breastfeeding, if needed Schedule your postpartum doctor’s visit (usually 6 weeks after birth)
