Use this list to keep track of all your third-trimester tasks, from doing kick counts to making a birth plan and deciding on a baby name.

Activities for your third trimester

Keep track of your baby's movements

Pay attention to your baby's kicks, twitches, and rolls and let your doctor or midwife know right away if you notice a decrease in movement. Less movement may signal a problem, and you'll need testing to check on your baby's condition. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you spend some time each day counting your baby's kicks – find out how to do "kick counts."

Learn about third-trimester prenatal visits and tests

You'll most likely have a checkup every two weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, then switch to once-a-week visits until you deliver. As you and your provider get to know each other better and as your due date draws near, you can expect a mix of regular physical exams, late-pregnancy tests, and discussions about the coming birth.

Find out more about third-trimester prenatal visits.

Consider more classes

In addition to a childbirth class, you may want to consider classes on baby care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR. Many hospitals offer these, and you can also ask your provider or childbirth education teacher for a recommendation.

Prepare for breastfeeding

If you're planning to breastfeed your baby, learn as much as you can about it now. Talk to nursing moms, read articles to familiarize yourself, and consider calling your local La Leche League International chapter or taking a breastfeeding class. The more you know about how to get started and the benefits of nursing, the better.

Choose a doctor for your baby

Get names of pediatricians or family practitioners from friends, co-workers, neighbors, or your prenatal caregiver. Make sure the doctor accepts your health insurance, keeps hours that work with your schedule, and has an office that's convenient for you.

If you can, schedule face-to-face interviews with your top candidates. If it seems too early to be thinking about this, keep in mind that your baby will have his or her first doctor's visit shortly after birth.

Learn more about choosing a doctor for your baby.

Think about big decisions

Would you like to stay home with your baby full- or part-time? If you're having a boy, would you like him to be circumcised? Will you have a religious ceremony after your baby's born? What about banking your baby's cord blood? These are some of the big decisions to think and talk about now.

Assemble your baby gear

This is the perfect job for your partner or a friend who wants to help. Cribs, bassinets, and strollers can be tricky to put together, especially when you're sleep-deprived, so get started now. Swings, mobiles, and monitors usually require batteries, so make sure you have enough on hand. To save money – and help the planet – consider getting rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.

Set up a safe place for your baby to sleep

Whether you plan to have your baby slumber in a crib or bassinet, it's important to follow basic guidelines to reduce your baby's risk of SIDS.

Find out all about making sure your baby's sleeping space is safe.

Talk to your baby

Your baby can hear your voice now, and talking to him or her is a great way to start the bonding process. If having an actual conversation with your bump seems odd, try narrating your daily activities; reading a book, magazine, or newspaper aloud; or sharing your secret wishes for your child.

This is great practice for after your baby's born, too. Talking to babies is one of the best ways to help them develop language skills.

Learn about coping with labor pain

There's no one right way to deliver a baby: Every woman's experience with pain is different and every labor is different. But whether you know you want pain medication during childbirth or a natural birth, it's good to learn about your options now.

Know the stages of labor

For first-time moms, labor takes an average of 15 hours, though it's not uncommon to last more than 20. (For women who've previously had a vaginal birth, it averages eight hours.) The process is divided into three main stages – learn about them so you'll feel prepared for labor and birth.

Create a birth plan

Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your birth plan to the letter. Still, it's helpful to figure out your preferences beforehand for pain management techniques, who'll be present during delivery, whether your baby will "room in" with you after birth, and more.

Fill out our handy Birth Plan Worksheet and discuss it with your provider.

Wash your baby's clothing and bedding

You know all those adorable, pristine outfits and blankies you bought or received as gifts? It's time to throw them in the laundry. You should wash anything that will go near your baby's skin to remove any irritants in the fabrics. The gentlest detergents are those designed for babies and those that are labeled hypoallergenic or good for sensitive skin.

Start lining up helpers

Your friends and family will want to pitch in after your baby's born, but many new moms are too overwhelmed to direct household help. Here's how to prepare now: Make a list of people who have offered to help. Then set up a schedule so each person has a specific task and date to do it.

Tasks could include bringing your family a meal, picking up groceries (create a master list of foods your family likes), taking care of your older children, doing the dishes, cleaning up, taking out the garbage, walking your dog, or feeding your pets.

Commemorate your belly

Celebrate your amazing pregnant belly by decorating it with beautiful designs (you can use regular face paint), getting a henna "tattoo" applied (go to an artist who uses the pure, natural kind), or making a belly cast. You may also want to splurge on professional pictures of your pregnant self.

Consider top baby costs and how to save

Raising a baby isn't cheap. (You can check our Baby Costs Calculator to see how it all adds up.) But there are plenty of ways you can think about saving money now.

See the top baby expenses moms reported to us, and what you can do about them.

Read up on baby care

If you haven't already, the third trimester is the perfect time to switch reading gears from pregnancy to baby. You won't have as much time to read after your baby's born, so learn all you can about the first few weeks now. A good place to start is BabyCenter's newborn area.

Pack your bag for the hospital or birth center

Key things to bring include your insurance card, toiletries, comfy clothing, a going-home outfit for your baby, phone (plus charger!), and snacks for after labor. You may also want to bring a box of chocolates or other treat for the nurses (not required, but appreciated!).

See our full list of what to pack for the hospital or birth center.

Have your house cleaned

In a BabyCenter survey, a third of moms said they wished they had had their house cleaned before their baby's arrival. Consider hiring a housecleaner or asking a friend or family member to tackle this task, maybe while you're at the hospital or birth center. It feels great to come back to a tidy home, and you won't have time or energy to clean while your baby's a newborn.

Stock up on household and personal supplies

To avoid having to make trips to the store with your newborn, stock up now on pantry staples, frozen food, medicine, toilet paper, sanitary pads for postpartum bleeding, shampoo … even extra pairs of underwear! And of course, make sure you have newborn necessities like diapers, wipes, baby clothing, and bottles and formula if you plan to use these.

Make food for after your baby's born

When you cook, start doubling recipes and freezing half. You and your partner will be too exhausted to cook in the first weeks after you bring your baby home and you'll be thrilled to have healthy meals you can heat up fast. For ideas, check out these recipes good for freezing and reheating.

Install your baby's car seat

You can't drive your baby home without a car seat, and they can be more complicated to install than you'd think. So don't wait until the last minute. If you're having trouble, some car seat manufacturers have a toll-free number for you to call so an expert can walk you through the process. Or get a car seat safety inspector to help you. To find one in your area, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website or look in your local phone book.

Tour your hospital or birth center

The more familiar you are with your surroundings, the less intimidating labor and birth will be. On your tour of your hospital or birth center, you'll probably visit labor and recovery rooms and the nursery, as well as get an overview of basic policies.

Ask if you can preregister in the weeks before your delivery to get this red tape out of the way. You don't want to have to sign a bunch of releases and permissions forms when you're in labor, or have your partner whisked away to do so.

Make a plan for when labor starts

Long before the first contractions hit, you'll want a firm plan in place. Your doctor or midwife should give you a clear set of guidelines for when to call and – unless you're having a home birth – when to head to the hospital or birth center.

Decide who will take you there, and have a few back-up folks lined up to help if you need it. Practice the route you'll take – this may sound silly, but it will be one less thing to think about. This includes learning where to park and which entrance to use when it's time to check yourself in.

Learn the signs that your labor may start soon.

Make a baby watch list

Figure out who you'll want to tell right after your baby arrives (or when you go into labor) and how you'll spread the word. Some new or soon-to-be moms post updates on their social media accounts, while others prefer to call, text, or email the big news. If you'd rather your partner or a friend handle this for you, make a list of phone numbers or email addresses of people you want told right away and pass it on.

Look out for late-pregnancy complications

Unfortunately, pregnancy complications pop up in the third trimester, too – including premature labor and preeclampsia. Be on the lookout for symptoms that warrant a call to your doctor or midwife.

Find baby name inspiration

If you don't have a few great baby names on deck, check out our Baby Names Finder to see name popularity, origin, and meanings.

Get creative about third-trimester sex

If you're having a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, you can probably continue to have sex right up until your water breaks or you go into labor. You may have to get creative about positions as your belly expands, however!

Find out more about having sex in the third trimester.

Cope with late-pregnancy jitters

By late pregnancy, there are a lot of unknowns that may be making you nervous – like when your labor will start, how it will go, whether your baby will be okay, and how you'll adjust to being a mom. These fears are normal – but nerve-wracking. Here are a few ways to quiet them:

Use the relaxation techniques you learned in childbirth classes. They may help calm your nerves now, plus it's good practice for the big day.

Visualize your baby and imagine yourself snuggling with him or her.

Check in with other moms-to-be in your Birth Club who are also playing the waiting game.

Don't be shy about contacting your midwife or doctor if you have any new or lingering concerns.

Slow down

Toward the end of your pregnancy, slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.

Learn what your body will be like after birth

Many first-time moms don't realize that after giving birth, it's normal to still look pregnant for a while. This may be hard to accept, but try to remember that it took nine months to get here, so you won't bounce back overnight. Learn what to expect from your body.

Stock up on light entertainment

Pick up some magazines or funny novels, fill up your DVR with your favorite programs, and create a list of online shows that you'd like to watch. Once your baby arrives, you'll be glad to have easy, quick ways to get an entertainment fix when you have the chance.

Don't panic if you go past your due date

After months of anticipation, your due date rolls around, and ... you're still pregnant. It's a frustrating, but common, situation. (In a BabyCenter poll, 33 percent of moms said they delivered late.) If you go one or two weeks past your due date, your provider may use medication or other techniques to start your labor.

To-do's for every trimester

Drink water

During pregnancy you need about 10 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day (80 fluid ounces) plus an additional 8 ounces for each hour of light activity. Every woman is different, so don't worry if you end up needing a little more or less. Keep an eye on the color of your urine – if it's dark yellow or cloudy, you need to drink more. Clear or pale yellow urine means you're well-hydrated.

Find out why staying hydrated is so important.

Do some stretching

Stretching enhances your flexibility, prevents your muscles from tightening, and makes you feel looser and more relaxed.

Check out these soothing pregnancy stretches.

Sneak in a pregnancy power nap

When fatigue makes it hard to get through the day, revive yourself with a 15-minute snooze. If you're at work, find a place you can escape (close your office door, use a conference room, even sit in your car) and set the alarm on your cell phone.

Pack healthy snacks

When hunger attacks, it helps to have snacks that pack a nutritional punch ready in your desk, purse, or car. And if you're suffering from morning sickness, munching on a simple snack like crackers throughout the day or before you get out of bed can ease nausea.

Get ideas for healthy pregnancy snacks.

Try a relaxation technique

Deep breathing, guided imagery, prenatal yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation can help you stay on an even keel – and sleep better.

Learn how to do these relaxation techniques.

Take a quick walk

A 15- to 20-minute walk can help boost your energy levels when you're exhausted.

Find out why walking is such a great pregnancy exercise.

Eat a pregnancy superfood

To give your pregnancy a nutritional boost, nosh on colorful fruits and veggies, eggs, salmon, sweet potatoes, yogurt, walnuts, beans, and more.

See the other pregnancy superfoods.

Write down your pregnancy memories

Whether you keep a formal journal or just jot down a few notes when the spirit moves you, you'll love sharing these pregnancy stories with your child someday.

Get tips on writing a pregnancy diary.

Track your weight gain

Your provider will monitor your pregnancy weight to make sure you're in a healthy range and gaining at an appropriate pace. You can also use our pregnancy weight gain tool to stay on track.

Use our Pregnancy Weight Tracker.

Do something nice for yourself

If you're feeling up to it, go to a movie, have dinner out, get a pedicure, or do something else you enjoy. You deserve it – pregnancy is hard work!

Get ideas for looking and feeling great during pregnancy.

Check in with a friend

Pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster. Ease your mind by sharing your fears, hopes, and excitement with a friend or a fellow mom-to-be in BabyCenter's Community.

You may also want to check out our list of what not to worry about when you're expecting.

Know the signs of a pregnancy problem

Here's a rundown of symptoms that could be a sign of a problem. If you have any of these complaints, call your doctor or midwife immediately.

Take belly photos

It's a great way to document your growing bump. For inspiration, check out our pregnant bellies photo gallery.

Have sex if you feel like it

If you're feeling amorous (and you don't have any complications that may make sex dangerous), go ahead – you won't hurt the baby.

Find out more about having sex during pregnancy.

Learn more:

Pregnancy shopping checklist: Third trimester

The ultimate pregnancy to-do list: First trimester

The ultimate pregnancy to-do list: Second trimester