Third Trimester & Preparing for Birth
Weeks 28–40+ are about preparing your body, your home, and your support team for birth and postpartum.
Prenatal Appointments Increase
Visits move from monthly to every 2 weeks, then weekly in the final month.
Plan, Don't Script
A birth plan documents preferences. Birth itself rarely follows a script — flexibility plus a strong support team matters more than the plan.
Pack the Bag
Hospital bag, car seat installed, postpartum supplies stocked, freezer meals prepped if possible.
Frequently asked
When should I go to the hospital?
Most providers use the 5-1-1 rule: contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for 1 hour. Always follow your provider's specific guidance.