Install the car seat
Rear-facing in the back seat, properly secured. Have it inspected at a local fire station or certified inspection station. Do this by 36 weeks — it is non-negotiable for leaving the hospital.
GUIDE
How to Prepare for Labor
You cannot control how labor unfolds, but you can control how prepared you are when it starts.
This comprehensive checklist covers physical, mental, and practical preparation so you can focus on the experience instead of the logistics.
Get tinylog ready for baby
Be prepared from day one
Preparation Reduces Fear
You cannot predict how your labor will unfold, but you can eliminate the logistical surprises. When the practical details are handled — car seat installed, bag packed, route mapped, childcare arranged — you free up mental space to focus on what really matters: your body, your baby, and the experience.
This checklist is organized into three categories: practical preparation (the tasks and logistics), physical preparation (getting your body ready), and mental preparation (building confidence and managing fear). Aim to have everything completed by 37 weeks. Some women go into labor before their due date, and having everything ready gives you the freedom to respond calmly whenever it happens.
Practical Preparation
These are the concrete tasks that need to get done before labor. They are not glamorous, but they make the difference between a smooth transition to the hospital and a panicked scramble. Work through them in your third trimester, ideally completing the list by 37 weeks.
Pack the hospital bag
Bag for mom, partner, and baby packed and by the door by 35-37 weeks. See our complete hospital bag checklist for what to include.
Preregister at the hospital
Complete online or phone registration at 32-36 weeks. Insurance information, medical history, and advance directives are filed so you skip the paperwork when you arrive.
Write your birth plan
A one-page document outlining your preferences for labor, pain management, delivery, and newborn care. Print 3 copies and discuss with your provider.
Know the route to the hospital
Map the fastest route and an alternate. Time the drive during rush hour. Know where to park and which entrance to use for labor and delivery.
Arrange childcare for older kids
Have a primary plan and a backup plan for who will care for older children when you go into labor — including middle-of-the-night scenarios.
Arrange pet care
Line up someone to feed, walk, or care for pets during your hospital stay (typically 1-4 days).
Stock the house
Groceries, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, and freezer meals. You will not want to run errands in the first week home.
Wash baby clothes and set up the crib
Wash newborn and 0-3 month clothes in gentle detergent. Set up the crib or bassinet with a firm mattress and fitted sheet — nothing else in the sleep space.
Download tinylog
Set up your baby tracking app before the baby arrives so it is ready to go from the first feeding and diaper change.
Physical Preparation
Your body has been growing a baby for nine months — it is already doing remarkable work. Physical preparation for labor is about supporting what your body is already doing and building stamina, flexibility, and familiarity with the sensations of labor.
Staying active throughout your third trimester — even if "active" means a daily 20-minute walk — helps maintain your endurance for labor. Perineal massage starting at 34-36 weeks has been shown to reduce the risk of severe tearing during delivery. And practicing breathing techniques from your birthing class builds the muscle memory you will rely on during contractions.
Physical Preparation Checklist
- Stay active — walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, and gentle stretching keep you strong and flexible
- Practice perineal massage starting at 34-36 weeks (5-10 minutes, 2-3 times per week)
- Practice breathing techniques daily — slow breathing, patterned breathing, and relaxation
- Stay hydrated — aim for 10+ cups of water daily in the third trimester
- Eat nutritious meals with adequate protein, iron, and fiber
- Get as much sleep as possible — rest now, because sleep will be scarce soon
- Do pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) to strengthen the muscles you will use during pushing
Always check with your provider before starting new exercises in the third trimester. Most activities that were safe earlier in pregnancy are still fine.
Mental Preparation
The mental side of labor preparation is just as important as the physical side. Fear and tension during labor can actually slow progress — the body produces stress hormones that counteract oxytocin, the hormone that drives contractions. Confidence and relaxation, on the other hand, support labor's natural progression.
The best mental preparation is education. When you understand the stages of labor, know what contractions feel like, and have a plan for when to go to the hospital, the unknown becomes less scary. A good birthing class is the single most effective thing you can do to build confidence. Consider whether hiring a doula is right for your birth team — the evidence on continuous labor support is compelling.
Mental Preparation Checklist
- Take a birthing class with your partner — Lamaze, Bradley, hypnobirthing, or hospital class
- Learn the stages of labor so you know what to expect during each phase
- Discuss your fears and concerns with your provider — no question is too small or silly
- Practice relaxation and visualization techniques from your birthing class
- Talk to friends or family who have given birth (but filter for positivity — you do not need horror stories)
- Accept that labor is unpredictable and that flexibility is strength, not weakness
- Consider therapy or counseling if you have significant anxiety about birth
- Learn about postpartum recovery so you know what comes after delivery
Fear of labor is normal and valid. Preparation does not eliminate fear — it gives you tools to manage it.
Partner Preparation Checklist
- Attend the birthing class together and practice comfort techniques at home
- Learn the signs of labor and when to go to the hospital
- Know the birth plan inside and out — you may need to advocate for the preferences
- Practice counter-pressure, hip squeezes, and massage
- Prepare emotionally — labor is intense and unpredictable for partners too
- Pack your own hospital bag with snacks, clothes, and charger
- Know the important phone numbers — OB, hospital, pediatrician, emergency contacts
- Plan to be a calm, steady presence — even when you are nervous
Partners — your preparation matters more than you think. Women with prepared, involved support partners have better outcomes and higher satisfaction.
The 37-week rule
At 37 weeks, your baby is considered full-term and could arrive any day. By this point, your hospital bag should be packed, your birth plan should be printed, your car seat should be installed, and you should know the signs of labor. Everything after 37 weeks is bonus preparation time — do not waste it.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
Want this guide in your inbox?
We'll send you this guide for quick reference.
Almost time to meet your baby?
Download tinylog free — start tracking feeds, diapers, and sleep from the very first day.
