Excitement, anticipation, fear, anxiety and happiness are just a few of the emotions that couples may experience during this period. Friction between the two of you can still arise as you decide on baby equipment and gear, names, finances and life’s daily challenges. Try and use effective communication skills and communication strategies.  For some couples abuse may actually get worse as the pregnancy continues. If this applies to you there are resources that can help.

To help you prepare for baby’s arrival and the first few weeks at home. It is helpful if the two of you decide what household tasks are critical, who can do them and which ones could be assigned to others such as family and friends who volunteer to help.  Freezing food that can be reheated and stocking the cupboards with foods that can be easily prepared will help both of you eat nutritiously in those first few weeks after baby is born. 

Mom’s changing size and physical discomforts can put a downer on her sexual appetite. Experimenting with different positions for intercourse, other ways of showing affection may help during this time. If complications arise during this period of your pregnancy, be sure to ask your health care provider about whether sexual intercourse could cause any harm.

Have you decided on a name yet? There is still time. Officially, you do not need a name for your baby until you complete the paper work for your baby’s health insurance and birth certificate, usually within the first month after they are born.

By the end of this trimester you will be bringing your baby home. If you have not done so, now is the time to check that your home is a safe and healthy place for your baby to grow. You and your partner should be aware of the exposures that you may encounter in the work place that you may inadvertently carry home each day with you.  Mom, if your job requires travel be sure to check with your health care provider and any airlines as this is the period when restrictions on Mom’s travel might happen. You nor the airline staff would want Mom going into labor while flying.

By the last month of your pregnancy you likely have purchased most of the equipment and baby gear that you will need to get you through the first few months. Review the list that you made of the baby gear you needed and check that you have the essentials. Remember when purchasing baby furniture or equipment that you consider the safety features and check that they meet current Canadian Safety Standards.

Do you know if you are expecting a girl or a boy? If the baby is a boy, some parents will need to make a decision about whether the baby will be circumcised. For some this might be an easier decision if it is normally done for religious or cultural reasons. Routine circumcision for non-religious or cultural reasons is not usually done. Find out more about circumcision how it is done, who does it and how to care for the circumcised penis.

Once your baby arrives the daily tasks of taking care of your baby begins – feeding, diapering, bathing, dressing, putting baby to sleep, soothing and comforting, playing, teaching everyday. For most parents the decision around how to feed baby is made during the pregnancy. This is just one of the many decisions that you will make as a parent. Learn as much as you can about the feeding options before you make an informed decision.  Another major decision you will make regards the type of diapers you will use – cloth or disposable – each have benefits and limitations.  Routine care includes caring for the umbilical cord (belly button) bathing, dressing, holding, burping changing diapers-before you know it you will become very skilled in all of these areas.

Since your baby is not able to talk crying is one of the ways they have of indicating they need you. Your baby may cry for many reasons. As you get to know your baby, you will understand why they maybe crying. There are a number of ways to soothe a crying baby, some of which are dependent on the reason why your baby is crying. For example, baby can cry when they are hungry, feeding them makes them stop crying.  Parents often worry that their baby is crying too much and that baby has developed colic. What is colic? What can you do if your baby has colic? Parents often worry that the way their baby is crying is not normal or is different than they have cried before.  

The sound of a baby crying can be very stressful particularly if all attempts to soothe your baby seem to fail; you haven’t got a good nights’ sleep and you are feeling stressed. These are the times when a parent could respond inappropriately and harm their baby.  It is times like this when all parents need support from others. As a couple think about who you could turn to for support and make a list now before your baby is born. Remaining calm and using some stress relievers may help get you through these challenging times.

A baby must adapt from the life they had during pregnancy to living in the world around us. The first month after their birth is a time of adjustment and your care provider will want to monitor that your baby is adjusting and growing. Most health care providers will want to see your newborn within the first 3-4 days of you coming home. One of the decisions that parents need to make during the late stage of pregnancy is who they will have to provide medical care for their baby. Depending on where you live this could be a family doctor, pediatrician or nurse practitioner.

In most cases your baby will have regular check-ups, usually monthly for at least the first 6 months Link to what happens at my baby’s check-ups. One of the realities of being a parent is knowing that your child will get sick, usually when you least expect it. What signs may indicate my baby is sick? When would my baby need to see a doctor? What do I need in my medicine chest to care for my baby?

As baby’s birth gets closer you are likely thinking about how you will manage when you bring baby home. There are some strategies that you can do now that will help ease your transition into parenthood and the first few weeks you are home.

The first few weeks at home are full of adjustment! You are getting to know another person – your baby. It is similar to the time it took for you as a couple to get to know each other – your likes, dislikes, and personality traits. What is a new baby’s temperament like? What kind of parent will you be? Being a “positive parent” can help you develop a positive and warm relationship with your baby.What does it mean to be a positive parent?  What is the Comfort, Play and Teach approach and how will this help you to become a positive parent? Once your baby is born you can start being a positive parent and using Comfort, Play and Teach!