How to Plan What Month Your Baby Is Born

Pregnancy Calendar month by Month: Calendar month 8

A planner for a sane (and fun!) third trimester: your concluding hurrah list, smart motherhood-leave strategies, and crucial conversations to have with your partner before Birth Solar day.

Stay Under the Covers

happy pregnant couple enjoying popcorn

Credit: Alexandra Grablewski

Start with a yummy breakfast in bed before moving on to a Netflix marathon, celeb mags, and Scrabble with your honey. Then, lunch! More Television! A nap! Snack! Dinner! Savour the fact that nobody needs you lot at present (except that guy on the next pillow), because very soon that volition alter.

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Practise Something Class-y With Friends

pregnant woman knitting with girlfriends

Think gourmet cooking, pottery, knitting, or even a one-day seminar at a nearby museum or art gallery, whatever y'all think would be a good fourth dimension. "A group of us took a belly-dance class when I was eight months significant," recalls Rachel Galoob-Ortega, of Arlington, Virginia. "I had gained 60 pounds by so, but the moves fabricated me feel really sexy -- and they also felt amazing on my lower back."

Make a Pregnancy Flip Book.

pregnant couple looking at photos

Credit: Tina Rupp

Print out photos on carte stock that your partner and family have taken of y'all (and your belly) throughout the pregnancy. Gather them in chronological club so staple together in 1 corner. (Or create a mini photograph book keepsake on Shutterfly.com.) When you flip through the pages with your thumb, it will expect every bit if your belly is magically growing. Accept that, Pixar!

Pregnancy Month past Month: Month 8

Rock Out!

adult female listening to music

Credit: Sarah Kehoe

Yous've got a good long stretch of the Wiggles and "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" coming up -- arrive your music while you can. "We went to a U2 concert when I was in my 9th calendar month," says Rachele Mock-McGinty, of Atlanta. "It was so much fun, and I loved seeing the look on people's faces, similar they were worried I'd drop the baby in the middle of the concert. We played the songs on my iPod when I was in labor, and I don't think it'southward a coincidence that my daughter loves listening to U2!" Tip: Steer articulate of the mosh pits.

Write a Funny Letter to Your Infant

envelopes

Credit: Bryan McCay

Keep a tape of all the crazy stories from your pregnancy, like that recurring dream you accept of giving birth to a hamster. Your child will find it hilarious when he's 10. Write the memories down, tuck the notes into an envelope, and file under "Open in 2024." Lyla Gleason, of Waltham, Massachusetts, kept a preggo journal: "It had all my funny observations, similar the 24-hour interval my bump was finally bigger than my husband's potbelly! He didn't think that was funny, though."

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Cultivate a Mommy Office Model Now

Rock Star Momma

Credit: Susan Byrnes

You'll need one during those notorious 2 a.m. wakings afterwards. "I downloaded Bossypants, by Tina Fey, onto my iPhone when I was meaning and listened to information technology during my morning walk," says Melissa Walker, of Brooklyn. "I loved her advice nearly sleeping when the infant sleeps ... and screaming when the babe screams!"

Throw a Mani-Pedi House Party

woman's pedicure toes

Credit: Kirill Zdorov

Tap manicurists or pedicurists from a salon; many will brand house calls if you can guarantee a certain number of clients. Pick a twenty-four hour period, invite a few friends, and go fix to flaunt your toes!

Have a Romantic Meal of "Baby" Food

Red Chili Rubbed Babe Back Ribs

Credit: Andy Lyons

Plan a menu around teeny, tiny items: baby-back ribs or baby lamb chops, roasted infant carrots and peas, and those petits fours y'all're always drooling over at French bakeries.

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Slip Into Something More than Comfy

Jezebel camisole and male child-cut underwear

Credit: Steven Visneau

But in case you haven't yet discovered it, sexy maternity lingerie does exist. Pick up an fauna-impress teddy or a lacy bottom or two (yous can find flattering choices at MommyliciousMaternity.com and BabiesNBellies.com). Then let the night unfold as it may. And if you're wondering: The "spooning" position works well fifty-fifty when you lot're a calendar week abroad from delivery.

Become Your Belly on Tape

Toshiba Camileo Camera

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

"Anybody told me that I was going to miss having my baby in my belly," Brigitte Polanco, of Philadelphia, recalls. "So at around 7 months, I started taking video of what my belly looked like when my son was hiccuping or the way he would get-go moving effectually whenever I played a certain song on my cell phone." Keep your phone handy to take hold of those karate kicks.

Brand a Date With Mom

mother and daughter hugging

Once your baby's born, you might desire to scoot out of the firm when your mother comes to visit: free sitting! Just now, treat her to lunch, choice her brain for parenting wisdom, and be gear up to hear, "It's the best, toughest job in the world" most, oh, l times.

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Go Away

woman driving

Credit: Joseph Montezinos

At present'southward no fourth dimension to jet off to Bali, but you tin can make a quick escape. "We collection a couple of hours to a B&B on Lake Michigan, where we dipped our toes in the water, ate one-time-fashioned ice cream daily, went antiquing, and just enjoyed each other's company," says Kelly Speer Hoffman, of McHenry, Illinois. "We also took whimsical photos with a pair of baby shoes placed in the frame to preserve our fun times!"

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Treat Yourself to Something Special

loftier heels

Credit: Peter Ardito

Why should you hold out for a push button nowadays when your fave shoe department (not to mention jewelry counter) awaits? "I was tired of wearing flats all the fourth dimension, and my shoe size thankfully never changed during my pregnancy, and then I went out and bought a totally awesome pair of heels during my eighth month," says Meredith Dedolph, of Argent Bound, Maryland. "I slipped them on for my offset engagement night with my married man after our daughter Charlotte was born."

Organize a Sleepover

popcorn and movies

Credit: Adam Albright

"When I was pregnant, I invited my iii best friends to spend the night at my house," says Randi Pellet, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. "We ate enormous bowls of popcorn and M&M'southward and watched 16 Candles in our pj's. I knew it might be our terminal take chances to spend that much time together until our kids were in college, and we had a smash."

Ask Your Hubby to Read to Your Bump

happy pregnant couple

Credit: Jenny Risher

"My married man loved doing this, anything from Dr. Seuss to John Grisham," says mom Cari Dineen, of Westfield, New Jersey. "He would lean in actually shut, and he always started out by proverb, 'How-do-you-do, Jellybean, this is your father speaking.' Sometimes she'd give a good kick!"

Talks to Accept Now: "What's Going To Exist Our Birth Plan?"

Pregnant woman thinking

Credit: Lucy Schaeffer

At that place's no way to predict how labor and delivery will unfold (if only!), but it's of import to talk over how you lot'd both like it to happen. "I assumed that my husband would be happier watching sports on Boob tube than doing breathing and meditation exercises with me, just it turned out I was totally wrong," says Sarah Espanol, of Long Island City, New York. Put your wishes on newspaper so y'all'll take a document to share with your ob-gyn or midwife. Include whom you'd like to be in that location for the birth, what yous'd like him (or them) to do, and which hurting-management options and medical interventions yous'd ideally opt for. Some couples also include atmospheric touches (classical music, soft lighting) and program how they'll handle what-if scenarios (say, a C-section). Then be flexible, says Kim Alumbaugh, 1000.D., an ob-gyn in Louisville, Kentucky: "Otherwise, you run the hazard of feeling disappointed if it doesn't go exactly the way you lot hoped it would." For labor and delivery tips for him, visit americanbaby.com/laborsupport.

"Are We Doing Circumcision?"

mother holding newborn babe male child

Credit: Alloy Photography/Veer

The wellness benefits of circumcising a newborn are greater than the risks, co-ordinate to the American University of Pediatrics (AAP). For help making your decision, go to AAP.org and the website for the American Academy of Family unit Physicians, AAFP.org.

"Should I Breastfeed?"

breastfeeding babe

Credit: PhotoAlto/ Matton

This is ane decision that may seem to be yours alone. But having an informed and supportive husband increases your odds of breastfeeding longer, a study in Pediatrics found. If you decide to nurse, discuss your goals: What steps tin you take if difficulties arise? How long do you plan to keep information technology up? Also, share what function yous'd like your partner to play. Do you lot want him to give Baby a bottle of pumped breast milk at night and so yous can sleep? Or are you okay with your guy sitting out the predawn feedings?

"Are We Financially Prepared to Face the Costs of Parenthood?"

balancing checkbook

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Not the cheeriest to-do, we know, but before your due date, have a volition drawn up. Hire a lawyer or go DIY using software (Quicken WillMaker Plus) or forms available from your state bar clan and from USLegalForms.com. You lot should also choose a legal guardian, along with a backup selection, and include the names of both people in the will. Finally, go life insurance, in add-on to a policy you may already have from work. Most financial planners recommend a term policy, which has depression premiums. To compare policy prices, check out QuickQuote.com or AccuQuote.com.

"What Kind of Help Do We Need?"

mother baby and grandmother

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Baby makes three. And your sister, mother, and mother in law brand four, five, and vi under 1 roof. If you're both fine with family arriving at your house, programme ahead and consul tasks. If you'd rather not have houseguests right away, don't be shy about turning downwardly their offers of assistance. Your family and friends will accept lots of other opportunities to aid out as Infant grows.

Manage Piece of work Leave: Know Your Rights.

maternity go out

Credit: Shannon Greer

Of course you deserve a suspension from your job to have a baby! It'southward just that laws dictate how much time yous tin take. Read the Family unit and Medical Go out Act (FMLA) at DOL.gov/whd/fmla. Information technology protects parents' jobs -- without pay -- for up to 12 weeks after the nascence or adoption of a child. To be eligible, you must be employed by a company that has at least l employees within a 75-mile radius, and y'all must accept worked there roughly 25 hours a week for at least a twelvemonth. Also connect with a regional office of the Women'due south Bureau to find out if your state has parental-leave laws that go across the FMLA; visit DOL.gov/wb.

Find Out Your Company Policy

pregnant adult female working

Credit: Alexandra Grablewski

Visit your corporate website or read the employee handbook to run into what your employer officially offers; a small portion give paid leave, usually forty to sixty percent of your bacon for a set amount of time, notes Marjorie Greenfield, Chiliad.D., author of The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book. Summate how many sick days, personal days, comp days, and vacation days you take coming to y'all. Your employer could require you to apply them to embrace a portion of your leave if you're entitled to information technology under the FMLA.

Decide How Much Fourth dimension You Really Want

working mother

Credit: Peter Ardito

Maybe you lot'd prefer to go back to work after 8 weeks instead of 12, simply on a part-time footing. Or you lot'd like to work from abode for a while. Talk to other moms in the office to learn how much time off they snagged, and and so call up about means to "sell" your program. Make information technology clear that your company will do good.

Prepare To Talk With Your Dominate

two women at work talking

Credit: PhotoAlto Photography/Veer

Be ready to discuss how long you lot await to be away from your chore and whom you could train to supervene upon you temporarily. Afterwards you've agreed to the terms, follow upwardly with a summary of the details. Such a document isn't legally binding, just if there's confusion down the road, it tin can help to have written proof.

Avoid Overcommitting

woman on computer

Credit: Fancy Photography/Veer

"Many women make themselves too available to their employers during maternity leave," Dr. Greenfield notes. The office will survive without y'all! Then don't answer messages or offering to log onto email until you take a sense of how parenting feels for you. Nothing is more of import than bonding with your new boss (the baby).

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How to Plan What Month Your Baby Is Born

Source: https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/preparing-for-baby/what-to-do-before-giving-birth/