Third trimester?! Woohoo! You’re at the homestretch now. Now that you’re getting closer to the end, you’re also growing more and more uncomfortable and desperate to be done, everyday. These third trimester must haves will help you make it through! 

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13 Super Helpful Third Trimester Must Haves

1. Birthing Plan

Birthing plans are so great for moms who want to be in control during their labor. They can be great for helping you assert yourself and making sure you have the labor that YOU want. Because when you’re in labor, it can be hard to make decisions, and talk about everything you want to do and how you want to do it, etc. 

Being able to just hand them the birthing plan is so fast and easy, and they can be aware of your expectations without asking you 10,000 questions while all you can think about is getting through the labor. Here’s a list of everything you need to know about creating a birth plan! 

2. A New Baby Checklist

The third trimester is so exciting, because this is when you get everything your baby is going to need. You have a baby shower, you get the nursery set up, and then you re-organize and clean everything every day until you have the baby, because that’s nesting. 

It’s a lot to remember. So to make sure you’ve got everything ready to go, a checklist can be a huge help. 

Be sure to check off all of these must haves on our New Baby Checklist!

3. Childbirth Classes

For anyone who is nervous about birth, or maybe doesn’t have a lot of women to coach you through childbirth, or if you want to try to have a natural birth, a childbirth class can be life changing. 

Hearing tried and true advice from people who have worked in the labor and delivery industry for a long time is a powerful tool in getting through childbirth. 

There are even online childbirth classes that you can do from the comfort of your home, this makes it a lot easier for couples as well, because they don’t have to try to find a class around work schedules. 

4. Nursing Bras & Tanks 

I didn’t know how essential nursing bras and nursing tank tops were, until I used them. They are phenomenal for nursing. They make it so much easier. I would never breastfeed again if I couldn’t have a nursing bra.

But, it’s great to get them during the third trimester and start using them then. One reason being, your breasts are much larger during the third trimester than their normal size when you’re not pregnant, and you don’t want to spend money on new bras that aren’t going to fit you after your pregnancy is over. 

If you do plan on breastfeeding, check out our all in one guide to breastfeeding!

5. Nursing Pads

Why do you need nursing pads before you deliver, you may ask? Well, some women, including me, will start leaking while they’re still pregnant. Throughout my third trimester, I leaked. A lot. Especially at night. I soaked the sheet…  with colostrum. Nursing pads are important. 

You’re also going to need them after birth, whether you’re breastfeeding or not, because there will definitely be some leakage going on. You can get reusable pads, which will be great if you’re planning on breastfeeding. Or you can get disposable pads if you don’t think you’ll be needing them often.

6. Belly Band

Pregnant bellies are HEAVY. It can really start to hurt your back after a while. A lot of women swear that a belly band can help tremendously. There are a lot of different types and styles, so be sure to shop around and see what will work best for your body. 

This Belly Band is great, because it’s a 3-in-1 tool! This is what it does:

• Helps relieve back, pelvic and hip pain
• Improves posture
• Can be used as a postpartum band, to help shrink down your stomach faster!

7. Antacids

The heartburn is no joke when you’re pregnant. I’ve never experienced heartburn in my life until I was pregnant. So, naturally, I thought I was dying. I had no idea what the heck was going on.

When I figured out it was heartburn I felt like such a baby. But it was awful! Tums were my best friend my entire last trimester! 

8. Slip On Shoes

There are many reasons why slip on shoes are a total necessity during your third trimester. First of all, you will likely NOT be able to tie your shoes towards the end of pregnancy. But more importantly, you will not WANT to tie your shoes. Because that’s just exhausting. Also, pregnancy comes with some swelling. So slip on shoes might just be the only shoes that fit comfortably. 

These are the best slip-on shoes! They’re comfy, and they don’t have a toe separator like flip flops do, so you can wear them with socks! Even not being pregnant, I wear these shoes all day, everyday. 

9. Birth Ball

Do you ever notice how in all the pregnancy classes/courses, and in a lot of movies, pregnant women are always bouncing on an exercise ball? Well that’s because all pregnant women need an exercise ball. 

It helps strengthen muscles, improve posture, relieve back pain, and it even promotes blood flow to your baby! It’s also just more comfortable to bounce sometimes, like when you’re watching tv or having to sit for prolonged periods of time. 

10. Freezer Meal Prep Guide

Freezer meals are going to be your best friend after giving birth. Because when you get home, and everything is sore, and you’re sleep deprived, and you possibly have a baby attached to your boob 24/7… the last thing you’re going to feel like doing is cooking. 

Make sure to get a freezer meal prep guide, so you can get some ideas. Because anything to make your life easier at this point is essential. 

11. Heating Pad & Ice Pack

Yes, you will want to have a heating pad and an ice pack. They are both great for different things. The third trimester is so uncomfortable, and you’re going to want immediate access to anything that’s going to help relieve some of that discomfort. And ice packs and heating pads are cheap, and you will find so many other times after pregnancy to get lots of use from them as well.

This article goes in depth about the best times to use heat and ice during pregnancy! 

12. PreNatal Massage

Every pregnant woman deserves a prenatal massage. They are so amazing. It will help you feel so much more relaxed. And it can help with a lot of the aches and pains that come along during the last trimester. 

If you are at the end of your pregnancy, you can even ask your massage therapist to focus on certain pressure points that are said to encourage the start of labor! 

13. Pregnancy Keepsakes

Even though pregnancy feels like it takes an eternity to get through, it really does go by fast. And it’s such an incredible experience, that you’re going to want to remember it. There are so many different pregnancy keepsakes that you can get.

Here are a few examples:

• belly art
• ultrasound art
• Pregnancy book

Bonus Must Have: Pregnancy & Birth Positive Affirmation Cards

These cards are great for lowering anxiety and mentally preparing for labor and delivery, no matter what your birth plans might be!

The third trimester is a rollercoaster! It’s miserable and exciting all at once. To make sure you have the best experience possible, be sure to get all of these third trimester must haves! You won’t regret getting any of them! 

Don’t forget to check out our other pregnancy related articles:

• The All-In-One Online Childbirth Class
• The Ultimate Guide to Having A Natural Birth
• Everything You Need to Know About Having A Baby On A Budget