- Fetal kick counts – daily monitoring of fetal movement. Ideally, you should feel 10 movements of any kind in two hours
- Obtain Tdap vaccine by 36 weeks from primary care provider or pharmacy
- Select a pediatrician and bring their information with you to the hospital
- Preregister at Inova Alexandria Hospital: https://www.inova.org/mychart-signup
- Complete childbirth education classes and/or hire a doula, if unmedicated birth strongly desired. Consider utilizing the resources below:
- https://www.pampers.com/en-us/pregnancy/birthing-classes
- https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/preparing-for-labor/best-online-birthing-and-parenting-classes-for-all-moms-and-dads-to-be/
- https://www.inova.org/our-services/inova-well/childbirth-parenting/classes
- https://www.hugyourbaby.org/parenting101
- Watch P&M Preparing for the BIRTHday class and supplementary hospital tour video: https://www.advantiahealth.com/physiciansandmidwives/services/free-pregnancy-classes/
- Order breast pump through insurance and/or make feeding plans (breastfeeding classes, resources, etc.)
- Watch anesthesia videos: www.napaanesthesia.com/ob-resource-center/
- Consider circumcision preferences for baby boy
- Consider cord blood banking preferences. This is a personal decision, and P&M does not endorse a particular company. If you do wish to participate, however, note that public banking is now recommended over private
- Continue to stay active – exercise 3-5 times a week
- Pack hospital bag
- Prepare check or money order to pay for the birth certificate – these are the only payment methods accepted by VA Department of Records.
- Learn more about the Pacify app, which provides 24/7 perinatal and infant feeding support to new and expecting parents via their smartphones: https://www.pacify.com/
