Getting some printable pregnancy checklists can be a huge lifesaver for expecting parents. They help you understand what you need to accomplish before your baby arrives.
Pregnancy checklists also help you understand when during your pregnancy you should complete various tasks. Let’s dive in and review the most useful and helpful checklists you will want or need.
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Why Are Printable Pregnancy Checklists Useful?
If you find it easiest to print out a sheet of paper with a to-do list and a box to check items off , then printable pregnancy checklists are perfect when you are expecting. Printable versions of checklists can help you have a good visual of things you need to get done.
Physically being able to check things off your list can also make you feel good or that you accomplished something for the day. Checklists are useful for staying organized and understanding what you need to accomplish.
What Pregnancy Checklists Do I Need?
Let’s cut to the chase now and review the bundle of printable pregnancy checklists that expecting parents need. Below you will find a list of six different pregnancy to-do checklists and they include the following:
- Pregnancy By Trimester
- Hospital Bag
- What To Do Before Baby Arrives (New Baby Checklist)
- Baby Essentials
- Birth Preferences
- Postpartum
To get these lists in a printable pdf, just click the link or the image below.
Get the Printable Pregnancy Checklists Bundle
If you want to learn more about what’s on these lists, keep on reading.
Pregnancy Checklist By Trimester
A pregnancy checklist by trimester will have the things you need to accomplish in each trimester. Sometimes it also includes target dates for the week of pregnancy.
Let’s review what’s on this checklist categorized by each trimester.
First Trimester
- Start taking a prenatal vitamin – 4-5 weeks
- Start telling family & friends if you want
- First prenatal checkup – 8-9 weeks
- 1st trimester screening (optional) – 11-14 weeks
- Pregnancy announcement – 12 weeks or later
- Start your baby registry – 12 weeks
Second Trimester
- Tell boss about your pregnancy – 12-20 weeks
- Start buying maternity clothes – 16 weeks
- 20 week ultrasound
- Look into childcare (optional) – 20 weeks
- Sign up for a childbirth class – 22 weeks
- Finalize baby shower date & details – 22 weeks
- Finish baby registry – 24 weeks
- Gestational diabetes test – 24-28 weeks
Third Trimester
- Have baby shower – 28-30 weeks
- Send thank you notes – 32 weeks
- Finalize birth plan – 32 weeks
- Pack hospital bag – 34 weeks
- Finish setting up the nursery – 36 weeks
- Group B strep test – 35-37 weeks
- Install car seats – 38 weeks
- Assemble baby gear – 38 weeks
Instead of the printable bundle of pregnancy checklists, each of these checklists is also available individually on my Etsy shop.
To get the trimester checklist by itself, just click here.
Hospital Bag Checklist
What about a pregnancy hospital bag checklist? This is another super useful list for pregnant moms.
Let’s review what is on the printable hospital bag checklist. It is categorized by the needs of mom, partner, baby, and miscellaneous items.
Mom
- Pajamas and/or robe
- (2) pairs of maternity leggings or yoga pants
- Comfortable shirt for going home
- Flat & comfortable shoes for going home
- Bra with no underwire / nursing bra
- Nursing pads (optional – will get at hospital)
- Slippers or flip flops
- Socks (optional – will get at hospital)
- Heavy flow pads (optional – will get at hospital)
- Brush / comb
- Hair ties
- Toiletries – shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
- Cell phone
- Wallet / money / credit card
- Purse
Partner
- Change of clothes
- Pajamas
- Toiletries – shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
- Cell phone
- Wallet / money / credit card
Baby
- Going home outfit
- Car seat – properly installed in car
- Extra onesies
- Swaddle blankets (optional – will get at hospital)
- Burp cloths (optional)
- Socks (optional)
- No-scratch mittens (optional)
- Hat (optional)
Miscellaneous
- Snacks – granola bars, trail mix, chips, etc.
- Phone charger
- Entertainment – tablet, books, etc.
- Driver’s license / photo ID
- Insurance card
- Pediatrician information
- Camera (optional)
- Birth plan – 3 copies (optional)
- Glasses / contacts (if needed)
- Keys
The hospital bag checklist by itself is available by clicking here.
Pregnancy Checklist Before Baby Arrives
The third list we’re discussing has the things you need to do before your baby arrives. You could also call this a new baby checklist.
What is on this list? Let’s review it.
- Decorate nursery
- Put baby gear together
- Install car seat
- Prepare at least 5 freezer meals
- Get postpartum supplies
- Take a birthing class
- Have a birth plan
- Pick baby’s name
- Get newborn essentials
- Finalize maternity leave plan
- Organize & wash baby clothes
- Figure out childcare
- Setup diaper changing area(s)
- Take maternity photos (optional)
- Schedule newborn photos (optional)
- Learn about feeding a newborn
- Pack hospital bag
- Pick going home outfit for baby
- Prepare financially
- Get and/or read a baby book
- Pick a pediatrician
- Arrange for free pump from insurance
- Get & send thank you notes for gifts
- Clean the house
- Do a house safety check
Get your one-page checklist of things to do before baby arrives by clicking here.
Baby Essentials
Must have baby essentials are my specialty! If you search around on this blog you will see a whole category dedicated to all things baby registry.
For the most details on baby must haves, I recommend checking out this baby registry checklist post. The baby essentials list is broken down into eight categories including sleeping, nursery, diaper changes, clothing, feeding, strollers & car seats, clean up, and everything else. It would be overwhelming to share the entire baby registry checklist here (plus you can just download it for free above).
But, I will share two out of the eight categories. This will give you an idea of what types of things are must haves and which are items are optional for a newborn.
Nursery
- (1) Crib
- (1) Crib Mattress
- (1) Short Dresser with 6 drawers
- (1) 4-Shelf Bookcase
- (1) Changing Pad
- (2) Changing Pad Covers
- (2) Waterproof Mattress Pads
- (2) Fitted Crib Sheets
- (1) Night-light
- (1) Hamper (optional)
- (1) Video Baby Monitor (optional)
- (1) Set of Blackout Shades (optional)
- (1) Sound Machine (optional)
- (1) Crib Mobile (optional)
- (1) Glider Chair (optional)
Feeding
- (10) Burp Cloths
- (10) Cloth Bibs
- (1) Bottle Brush
- (1) Bottle Drying Rack (optional)
- (2) Sippy Training Cups (optional)
- (2) Silicone Bibs (optional)
- (1) High Chair (optional)
- (12) Plastic Spoons (optional)
- (8) Plastic Bowls (optional)
If Breastfeeding (to get you started):
- (1) Breastfeeding Pillow
- (1) Box of Breast Pads
- (1) Tube of Lanolin
- (1) Breast Pump – free from insurance
If Formula Feeding (to get you started):
- (3) 4-5 oz Bottles
- Free Samples of Formula
Birth Preferences
A birth preferences checklist is perfect for determining your wants and needs during labor and delivery. There are quite a few categories for this type of checklist.
To start there is section where you fill out your personal information and your health information. From there, you have categories for atmosphere, pain management, pain medication, delivery, birth positions, and after delivery.
You simply go through each category and check off the items that apply to the type of birth you want. It really makes putting a birth plan together so simple.
You can bring a few copies of this checklist with you to the hospital or birthing center. You can use it for your own reference or you can also distribute copies to staff.
To get this checklist by itself, just click here.
Postpartum
What do you need for postpartum recovery? This is an often forgotten step. I know it was for me personally.
Make sure you have an understanding of what postpartum recovery will be like. Having a printable checklist of items you need postpartum is also beneficial. Let’s review the items on a postpartum checklist categorized by birth recovery items, clothing, and food & help.
Birth Recovery Items
- (1) Package overnight pads (really big pads)
- Peri-bottle – get at hospital
- Pain killers & stool softener – get at hospital
- Breast pads – both disposable & reusable
- Lanolin – if breastfeeding
- Maternity pads – get at hospital
- Disposable mesh underwear – get at hospital
- Postpartum ice packs
- Witch hazel pads
- Epsom salt & lavender essential oil – for sitz bath
Clothing
- Nursing bras – if breastfeeding
- Loose fitting pants
- Loose fitting tops
- High-waisted underwear
- Comfortable lounge sets
- Sleeping nursing bras – if breastfeeding
- Hands-free pumping bra – if breastfeeding/pumping
Food & Help
- Pre-made freezer dinners
- Quick grab and go healthy snacks
- Stocked fridge & pantry
- Chores list for visitors
- Plan for when visitors come over
- Postpartum doula & lactation consultant (optional)
You can get a printable postpartum checklist by itself by clicking here.
Printable Pregnancy Checklists Bundle
I personally think having printable versions of all six checklists mentioned above is extremely beneficial. They help you easily understand the things that need to get done during pregnancy (and before your baby arrives).
Grab your printable pregnancy checklists bundle today by clicking the image or button below!
Free Printable Pregnancy Checklist
I do have a free printable pregnancy checklist available to you. If you are working on your baby registry, it is perfect!
Just fill in the form below to get your FREE printable baby registry checklist.
Printable pregnancy checklists will help you easily understand the things you need to do before your baby arrives.
Pregnancy checklists help you stay organized. They also save time because you won’t be searching the internet constantly to figure out what you need as you move along in your pregnancy. Finally, they even save you money because you won’t be investing in things you don’t actually need.
Before you leave this is your last chance to get your bundle of (6) one-page pregnancy checklists now! Good luck as you prepare for the arrival of your little one.
