It may seem like your pregnancy will last forever, but you’ll be meeting your new baby before you know it. In the meantime, a little advance planning and preparation now will make it easier for you to relax and enjoy your pregnancy as your due date approaches.

Below are some helpful ways to prepare for your baby. But this doesn’t cover it everything: You can find many more ideas and tips in our first trimester, second trimester and third trimester checklists.

1. Go to a childbirth class

The prospect of giving birth can be terrifying and you may be tempted to put it all out of your mind until it happens. But learning about labor ahead of time will help you be a more active participant in your baby’s birth.

An online or in-person childbirth class will give you the opportunity to learn about the different stages of labor, pain management options, breathing techniques, and medical equipment that can be used during labor. It’s a good idea to start looking for classes mid-pregnancy to make sure you can get into one you like—and have time to take it!

You can also learn about different ways of giving birth by watching videos of real births. Some of the more common births include:

After you’ve done your research, you may want to outline your wishes in a birth plan. But keep in mind that just because you’re well-informed and armed with a birth plan doesn’t mean your labor will go exactly the way you want it to.

2. Find a doctor for your baby

You may want to start looking for a pediatrician for your baby mid-pregnancy. It may seem early, but you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to do so choose the right doctor for your family. You will also need to consider whether the doctor is accepting new patients and whether they take your health insurance.

Talk to your health insurance provider to find out how to add your baby to your policy and see which local pediatricians are covered. Read reviews online and ask around to see where your mom friends are taking their kids. Make sure you understand how your insurance plan works, especially regarding maternity benefits.

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3. Make big decisions with your partner

A major element of preparing for a baby is preparing for how life will change after the arrival of your newborn. Just as it’s important to talk about how your partner can support you during labor, be sure to talk about what you’ll need from each other afterwards. Different expectations about parenting and household responsibilities can create major conflicts for new parents, so try to work this out as best you can in advance.

Don’t assume your partner knows how much your new baby will change your lives. Talk about how you will share baby and household responsibilities. And educate your partner about the less obvious things, like how to support you in breastfeeding.

You can also make life easier by making some other big decisions now, like choosing a name for your baby and choosing whether to get circumcised.

Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, having a community of new parents to lean on for support is a game changer. While real-life relationships are essential, online friends are also invaluable: Try it BabyCenter Communitywhich makes it easy to connect with new and expectant moms.

It can be very helpful, as well as a validation, to share information with fellow moms. You may not have the same experience as others, but knowing certain things ahead of time can reduce the shock factor—and can help you adjust your own expectations of motherhood.

One caveat: If a real conversation gets too intense (say a friend starts talking about a rare but terrifying complication of her relative’s birth), gently stop it and perhaps redirect the conversation to something lighter.

5. Prepare older siblings – and pets – for the new baby

Your new baby can rock your older children’s world even more than yours! Fortunately, your family has a few months to get used to the idea of ​​a new member, and there are things you can do to prepare your sibling for the new baby.

You can use a baby doll to help your child understand what is coming. Older children or preschoolers enjoy pretend play, and when they later see you diaper or feed your baby, it feels familiar. Some hospitals have sibling classes where older children can learn about babies – why they cry, how to protect them and why they sleep so much.

As your due date approaches, make sure you designate someone to care for your children during and after the birth.

You’ll also want to prepare your pets for the new baby. Local trainers may offer classes, or you can refer to books, articles, or videos for tips on getting your pet used to a new baby. Be sure to consider whether you will need to make arrangements with a pet sitter or dog walker when you are in the hospital giving birth.

6. Get help after your baby arrives

Extra help is necessary for the first few weeks with a newborn. Don’t do it all alone – although it can be difficult, asking for help is one of the most important and valuable things you can do.

If you’re lucky enough to have a relative who can help, consider sitting down before the baby arrives to discuss the specifics. Grandma may want to swoop in and take care of that sweet bundle of joy, but it’s more important for parents to understand baby care together. The family can help with laundry, shopping, cooking and other chores.

Of course, not all potential helpers will be open to this. But many really want to help you in the best possible way and will appreciate hearing exactly what you need.

You may be able to hire help, such as a postpartum doula or night nanny.

7. Plan when labor starts

Long before those first contractions hit, you’ll want to prepare for labor by having a solid plan in place about who to call, where to go, and when to leave.

Your healthcare provider should give you a clear set of guidelines about what to do when you go into labor, including when to call your doctor’s office and when to go to the hospital or birth center (or when to call your midwife if you’re planning a home birth). Decide who will follow you and have a few backups just in case.

Plan your route ahead of time, including where to park and which entrance to use when it’s time to check in. You can take care of these logistics by visiting your hospital or birthing center in person or virtually. During the tour of the hospital, you will learn about the basic rules and see the delivery rooms and the nursery (if any).

If you can, apply in advance to get the paperwork done. That way, you’ll be able to bypass the red tape and get in the breeze when they start working.

8. Decide who will attend the birth

Deciding who will attend the birth of your baby is a very personal decision. Some moms like a full room, including their partner, perhaps a doula, and friends and family to attend the birth and provide support. Others prefer as few people as possible.

Check the rules at your hospital or birth center, then think about what you want to avoid misunderstandings or unwanted onlookers.

It can also help to designate a “spokesperson” ahead of time – that is, someone who can email and phone (or spread the news on social media) to let everyone know when your baby arrives.

Finally, remember that childbirth can be exhausting, and visitors popping up unannounced during your recovery may not be the most reassuring experience. Talk to your family members beforehand about the expectations of the visit, and if it starts to overwhelm you, don’t be afraid to ask the nurse to act as a bouncer.

9. Pack your hospital bag

The last thing you’ll want to worry about when labor starts is whether you’ve packed your toothbrush and deodorant. Ease your mind by having your bag packed and assembled a few weeks before your appointment. Find the essentials to include in this hospital bag packing list. (Your partner should also prepare their bag for the stay.)

In addition to these essentials, think about personal items that can make your stay in the hospital more comfortable or things that will keep you occupied if labor is slow. It could be your favorite pair of slippers, your favorite book or your cozy bathrobe.

Some moms-to-be bring their own pillows or their own shampoo and conditioner so they have something familiar during their first postpartum shower.

10. Prepare the equipment for the baby

You can wait to buy many things, but here are the essentials you’ll need right away:

Throw in nursing bras and pads if you plan to breastfeed, baby bottles if you’re bottle feeding, and baby formula if you’re formula feeding.

Don’t feel pressured to have every baby product ever should be ready to go. You can wait and see what you and your baby prefer. Talk to mom friends or moms in the BabyCenter community about what they find helpful, and don’t worry about the rest.

One more thing to do before baby arrives: Stock up on household must-haves to avoid trips to the store or surprise online orders at 3 a.m. Basic groceries, frozen food, toiletries, medicine, toilet paper, shampoo—even extra pairs of underwear—often come in handy when you first bring your baby home.