Third Trimester Checklist: Getting Ready for Baby

You're in the home stretch. The third trimester — roughly week 28 to your due date — is when pregnancy gets very real: the appointments come closer together, the nursery starts taking shape, and a packed hospital bag waits by the door. This third trimester checklist gathers every appointment, decision, and to-do into one place, so you can spend these final weeks feeling prepared instead of scrambling.

It's a lot, and it's normal to feel both excited and a little overwhelmed. The good news is that almost nothing on this list has to happen today. Spread it across these last weeks, tick things off one at a time, and you'll be ready well before baby is.

If you're not certain which stretch you're in yet, our guide on what trimester am I in sorts it out, and you can confirm your exact week and due date with the pregnancy calculator.

Third Trimester Checklist: Quick Overview

Here's the whole trimester at a glance. We'll walk through each piece below.

Category	Key Task	Typical Timing
Medical	Prenatal visits move to every 2 weeks, then weekly	Weeks 28-40
Medical	Tdap vaccine	Weeks 27-36
Medical	Group B strep (GBS) swab	Weeks 36-37
Medical	Discuss your birth preferences	Weeks 32-36
Body	Monitor baby's movements daily	Throughout
Prep	Install and check the car seat	Weeks 32-37
Prep	Pack your hospital bag	Weeks 35-37
Prep	Finish the nursery and wash baby clothes	Weeks 34-38
Admin	Finalize leave, pediatrician, and birth plan	Weeks 30-36

Your Third Trimester Checklist for Appointments and Tests

This is the stretch where you'll see your provider most often. Visits typically shift to every two weeks around week 28, then to weekly from about week 36 until birth, according to standard prenatal care guidance. These check-ins are quick but important — your provider tracks your blood pressure, your baby's growth and position, and how you're feeling.

Key Third Trimester Vaccines and Screenings

A couple of items on the third trimester checklist are time-sensitive, so it helps to know when they land.

• Tdap vaccine (weeks 27-36) — The CDC recommends a Tdap (whooping cough) vaccine during every pregnancy, ideally between weeks 27 and 36, so your baby gets some early protection.
• Group B strep test (weeks 36-37) — ACOG recommends a quick swab between 36 and 37 weeks to check for GBS, a common bacterium. If it's present, you'll simply receive antibiotics during labor as a precaution.
• Growth or position checks — If there's any question about your baby's size or position, your provider may order an extra ultrasound. Many babies who are breech earlier still turn on their own before birth.

If a result needs follow-up, your provider will explain the next step plainly. Keep a running list of questions between visits — it's easy to forget them once you're in the room.

Talk Through Your Birth Preferences

Sometime around weeks 32-36 is a natural moment to discuss how you'd like labor and delivery to go. There's no such thing as a perfect plan, and flexibility is part of it, but talking it through helps everyone stay on the same page.

• Pain relief options and your preferences
• Who you want in the room
• Your thoughts on interventions, should they come up
• Preferences for the first hours after birth, like skin-to-skin contact

Bring your questions to a prenatal visit so your provider can weigh in on what's realistic for your pregnancy.

Your Third Trimester Checklist for Baby Prep

With the practical side, the key is starting earlier than feels necessary. Babies have a way of arriving on their own schedule, so aim to have the essentials ready by around week 37.

Install the Car Seat

Most hospitals won't let you drive home without a properly installed infant car seat, so don't leave this for the last week.

• Install the seat by around weeks 32-37
• Read the manual and follow it closely — most car seats are installed incorrectly
• Many fire stations and local programs offer free car seat checks
• Practice clicking the harness so it's second nature on the big day

Pack Your Hospital Bag

Have your bag ready by about week 36 or 37, since labor can start before your due date. Our hospital bag checklist covers exactly what to bring for you, your partner, and baby — but the essentials include:

• Your ID, insurance information, and any birth-plan notes
• Comfortable clothes, toiletries, and a phone charger
• A going-home outfit for baby and an installed car seat ready to go
• Snacks and a layette of basics your hospital may not provide

Finish the Nursery and the Little Things

You don't need a magazine-perfect nursery — you need a safe place for baby to sleep and the basics within reach.

• Set up a safe sleep space: a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress and no loose bedding
• Wash baby clothes, blankets, and burp cloths in gentle detergent
• Stock up on newborn diapers, wipes, and feeding supplies
• Assemble the stroller and any gear ahead of time

If you're still deciding what's truly worth buying, our purchase guide helps you focus on the essentials so you don't overspend in the final weeks.

Listening to Your Body in the Third Trimester

These weeks bring big physical changes, and knowing what's normal — and what's worth a call — is one of the most useful things on any third trimester checklist.

Monitor Baby's Movements

Your baby should keep moving regularly right up to delivery; movement doesn't simply slow down because there's less room. If you notice a clear decrease from your baby's usual pattern, contact your provider right away — they would always rather hear from you. Around week 36, your provider may talk with you about how to keep track of movements.

Know the Common Aches

Many third-trimester discomforts are normal as your body makes room for baby:

• Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions that come and go
• Back pain, pelvic pressure, and trouble sleeping
• Swelling in the feet and ankles
• Heartburn and shortness of breath as baby grows

Rest when you can, stay hydrated, sleep on your side, and use pillows for support. That said, some symptoms always warrant a prompt call.

When to Call Your Provider

Reach out right away if you notice:

• A noticeable drop in your baby's movements
• Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking (your water breaking)
• Severe or constant headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling
• Regular, strengthening contractions before week 37

When in doubt, call. Your care team expects these questions, and it's always better to check.

Recognizing the Signs of Labor

As you approach your due date, you'll start watching for the real thing. Early signs can include the loss of your mucus plug, a low backache, loose stools, or your water breaking. True labor contractions grow longer, stronger, and closer together over time, unlike Braxton Hicks, which fade when you rest or change position.

Your provider will tell you exactly when to head in — often described as the "5-1-1" guideline (contractions five minutes apart, lasting one minute, for one hour), though your own instructions may differ. Keep their number handy, and don't hesitate to call if your water breaks or you're unsure.

Week-by-Week Third Trimester To-Do Summary

• Weeks 28-30 — Settle into more frequent visits; get your Tdap vaccine; finalize leave plans
• Weeks 31-33 — Choose a pediatrician; start the nursery; tour your birth location
• Weeks 34-35 — Install the car seat; wash baby clothes; talk through your birth preferences
• Weeks 36-37 — GBS swab; pack your hospital bag; switch to weekly visits
• Weeks 38-40 — Watch for signs of labor; rest as much as you can; keep your provider's number close

You're almost there. Take these last weeks one to-do at a time, lean on your support people, and remember that "ready enough" is ready. For a look back at how far you've come, our first trimester checklist covers where this whole journey began.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the third trimester start and end?

The third trimester runs from about week 28 until you give birth, usually around week 40. It's the final third of pregnancy, made up of roughly the seventh, eighth, and ninth months. Your provider can confirm your exact stage based on your due date.

What tests happen in the third trimester?

The two routine ones are the Tdap vaccine, recommended between weeks 27 and 36, and the Group B strep swab between weeks 36 and 37. Your provider will also monitor your blood pressure and your baby's growth and position at each visit, and may order an ultrasound if anything needs a closer look.

When should I pack my hospital bag?

Aim to have your hospital bag packed by around week 36 or 37, since labor can begin before your due date. Keep it somewhere easy to grab, and make sure your car seat is installed and ready at the same time.

How do I know if I'm in labor?

True labor contractions get longer, stronger, and closer together and don't ease up when you rest. Other signs include your water breaking, losing your mucus plug, or a persistent low backache. Your provider will give you specific guidance on when to come in — call them if your water breaks or you're unsure.

Is it normal to feel less movement near the end?

No — your baby should keep moving regularly right up to delivery, even with less room. A clear decrease from your baby's usual pattern is always worth a prompt call to your provider. Trust your instincts; your care team would rather you check.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.