“Prep Like a Pro: Key To-Dos Before You Give Birth”
- stephaniehorna
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
As I got closer to meeting my baby, what helped most were the practical steps I took that gave me a sense of calm and direction. Some of them were simple, some took a little planning, but each one gave me more confidence heading into the unknown. In this post, I’m sharing a few things that truly helped me feel more grounded before birth — in case they help you, too.
Tour the Hospital
I visited my sister-in-law when she gave birth at the same hospital about a month before my due date. While I was there, I asked a lot of questions and learned more about the space and the hospital’s policies — which honestly helped me feel more grounded. Even though it wasn’t a formal tour, just seeing the environment and understanding how things work made a big difference. That said, I do recommend scheduling an official visit if your hospital offers one — it’s a great way to plan ahead, ask questions, and feel more confident walking in on the big day.
Environment:
How to get there?
Where and how to check-in?
See labor and delivery rooms, recovery room
Do they have a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)?
What items do they offer, so you don't need to overpack
Hospital policies
Rooming-in vs. nursery
Visitor rules
Pain management
Know what’s included or provided (diapers, formula, supplies for mom)
If overnight nursery available, do you want them to feed him/her formula or bring them to you for feedings?
Note: Many hospitals have shifted to "rooming-in" as the standard of care (i.e. baby stays with the parent 24/7). In these cases, you’ll need to arrange family or partner support if you want rest. This is key: By the time I delivered, I hadn't slept in 30+ hours so I needed to recover really badly. I was grateful that baby boy could go to the nursery from 11pm-6am so both my husband and I could get some sleep. I highly recommend that you agree on some key medical decisions before the baby is born- my husband and I spent 1hr of this precious sleep time debating over circumcision and vaccination.
Take a few prenatal classes
When I ordered my breast pump through my insurance portal, I noticed they also offered free prenatal classes, so I signed up for several — including breastfeeding, baby sleep, and newborn care. They were helpful for building a foundation, especially as a first-time parent. That said, breastfeeding was still one of the hardest things to fully grasp until I was actually in it. What made a huge difference for me was meeting with a lactation consultant after birth. If you’re planning to breastfeed, I highly recommend checking whether your insurance covers lactation support — many plans cover it fully or partially, and having that guidance can be a game changer.
Here are some websites where you can find breastpumps and prenatal classes (usually covered insurance)
Aeroflow Breastpumps (the one I used, my comments below):
Helps you get a breast pump through insurance with a quick eligibility form
Also offers free online prenatal classes on topics like breastfeeding, pumping, baby care, and postpartum wellness
My view: I took the breastfeeding, baby basics, and sleep classes, which were packed with helpful information and included live Q&A sessions. One thing I noticed, though, was that most of the classes were centered around the breastfed baby, and at times it felt like there was a lot of pressure to make breastfeeding work. For me, this was a highly personal and emotional topic. I wasn’t able to breastfeed or pump for very long, despite trying and working with a lactation consultant, which was helpful but not a full solution. Thankfully, I had spoken with several girlfriends who had gone through something similar, so I reminded myself not to feel disappointed if things didn’t go as planned. In the end, I chose to combo feed with formula and breastmilk, and that’s what worked best for us — because the most important thing was that my baby was nourished and I felt supported in the process.
Yummy Mummy
Specializes in insurance-covered pumps
Offers access to virtual lactation support and classes depending on your plan
Pumps for Mom
Easy insurance verification process
Offers education and breastfeeding resources, and some users may be eligible for lactation support or classes
The Lactation Network (TLN)
Focused on insurance-covered lactation consults and support
No pump ordering, but very valuable for breastfeeding support and education
Works with many insurance plans to provide in-home or virtual lactation visits covered at no cost
Babylist Health
Offers pumps through insurance
Includes informative video guides and partner content on prenatal prep and baby gear
Engage your support person
Make sure that whoever will be by your side during labor—whether it’s your partner, a friend, or a family member—is actively involved in your preparation. Invite them to join you for the hospital tour and include them in prenatal classes, whether online or in person. Attending together helps them understand what to expect, how to support you during labor, and what your birth preferences are (consider having a birth plan). It also gives them the tools to advocate for you, ask questions if needed, and be a steady, informed presence.
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