
Checklist – before baby arrives
Checklist – before baby arrives
Make sure you have everything you need for your baby's arrival with our checklist. Get organized and feel confident for the big day.
- Attend birth preparation classes.
- Practise relaxation and breathing techniques at least twice a day.
- Rest as much as possible.
- Select music for relaxation.
- Pack suitcases for hospital stay.
- Discuss labour and delivery options with caregiver.
- Decide about rooming-in.
- Research options for early discharge. Click here for more information.
- Choose a family doctor.
- Research options for circumcision.
- Learn about breastfeeding.
- Choose baby names.
- Plan birth announcements.
- Stock deep freeze and pantry for after your baby arrives.
Maternity ward suitcase
When packing for hospital, pack things into a few smaller bags, rather than one large bag, to make it easier to find things when you need them. Make sure your partner knows where everything is, and which bags need to come to the hospital with you.
Related articles

Further comfort measures for pain relief
Distractions like breathing, visualising or fixing on one point can take your mind off the pain.
5 mins to read

Levels of fitness
First trimester
Your fitness is likely to decrease. Listen to your body and only do what you feel comfortable doing.
Second trimester
5 mins to read

Monitoring your response to exercise
It is important to monitor your response to your exercise programme by taking your pulse-rate before, during and after exercise.
5 mins to read



Criteria for prenatal classes
Instructor’s credentials, for example, midwife, physiotherapist.
Instructor’s specialised training in childbirth education.
5 mins to read

Conception
The fertilised egg divides into two identical cells – then four, then eight, then 16, and then many billions, and 266 days later – your baby.
1 min to read

How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy?
There are many things you can do to prepare for the delivery of a healthy baby. One of the most important things is eating right to gain the extra weight you’ll need to support another life.
4 mins to read

Preconception checklist
Are you planning to have a baby soon? Find out our preconception checklist to facilitate the conceiving process and have an healthier pregnancy.
1 min to read

Maintaining and improving fitness
Stimulating the cardiovascular system through aerobic exercise helps to maintain and improve your fitness during pregnancy.
5 mins to read




Diagnostic tests
Diagnostic ultrasound
The most important scans are performed at 12 weeks and 16 weeks. These early scans often prove the most accurate in determining the date of birth.
3 mins to read

Breathing techniques
Breathing reflects the activity in your body and, of all the body’s involuntary unconscious physical responses, breathing is the easiest to control.
4 mins to read

Diagnosis and signs of the pregnancy
Confirm a suspected pregnancy immediately to avoid unnecessary risks to your baby.
1 min to read

Relaxation and correct breathing techniques
As your pregnancy advances, the uterus exerts an increased upward pressure on your diaphragm. As you near your due date you may find that you breathe less deeply, although more efficiently.
5 mins to read

Breathing and relaxation
The Pros
-
Offers immediate relief.
-
Decreases tension and offers good pain relief.
5 mins to read

Health and fitness
Ideally, you should assess your health and fitness. You may need to make some changes to your lifestyle
3 mins to read