It’s time to get properly organised. We’ve previously taken a look at some pregnancy information we clearly didn’t know enough about. Now, we want to build a pregnancy to-do list so we don’t miss anything important.
How We Made Our Pregnancy To-Do List
We started out by brainstorming and dumping every to-do item into an unsorted list. The list was made in Evernote because that’s the note-taking app I’ve used for a few years.
We tried simply allocating things into weeks straight away but it wasn’t working. And we found it very frustrating. So, we came up with five categories to split things into:
- Immediate priorities
- Significant purchases – things that we could research early, identify one or two options we’re happy with and keep an eye out for sales
- Things that would clearly benefit from being done by a specific date
- Purchases we don’t plan to price track
- Things that can be spread out over the pregnancy
Next, we needed a few deadlines. For example:
- We’d like the most important things taken care of by the end of week 34.
- The car should be sorted by the end of week 31, at the latest. This would give us time to get used to it.
Then, in each category, we re-ordered everything by importance. Once the lists looked okay, it was time to give items a target week. Finally, we spent some time fine-tuning and we had our to-do list.
Mrs Wrincs is entering week 15. There are quite a few things we could have done earlier so the first couple of weeks are very busy.
You’ll notice we refer to our baby as Burt. We don’t know if it’s a boy or girl. Don’t have a preference, either. But, in our home, Burt has become a gender-neutral name. We also said, years ago, that if we had twins, we would call them Burt and Ernie. Burt works for now.
Our Pregnancy To-Do List
Week 15
- Figure out who to call in what situation and save those contact details
- Start pregnancy book #1
- Sort out the prescription exemption
- Find out how free dental care works
- Go through finances (disposable income and budget)
- Make sure Mrs Wrincs is happy with her bra
- Make sure Mrs Wrincs is happy with her shoes
- Start to learn candid photography basics
- Figure out the best way to make sure we don’t forget things we want to do or keep doing
- Make a list of the things we want to do regularly and add them to the chosen app or service
- Choose the best registry platform
- Create a baby registry
- Research ways to combat pregnancy congestion
- Research how to avoid varicose veins
- Make a home improvements to-do list
- Discuss and research a babymoon
- Research and decide what we’re willing to buy 2nd hand
- Get the baby name Tinder app
- Come up with ways for Mrs Wrincs to get more protein and fibre
- Research pregnancy apps
- Think if there is anyone who doesn’t know that we’d like to tell
- Set up a shared calendar
- Figure out all screenings and appointments to expect and add them to the calendar
- Set up shared cloud folder for important docs
- Find out if any make-up, skincare products or other household items could be harmful
Week 16
- Start pregnancy book #2
- Double-check maternity benefits
- Re-do financial plan (wills, pension beneficiaries, etc.)
- Get me some life insurance
- Do we need blackout blinds in the nursery?
- Research home safety/security
- Research maternity clothing
- Make a list of fun stuff (or things we want to enjoy) through pregnancy
- Research pushchair, car seat, travel system
- Research cars
- Set up car alerts
- Research baby monitor
Week 17
- Start pregnancy book #3
- Research breast pumps
- Finalise the plan for the nursery
- Research labour bags and contents
- Do we need a pack n play?
- Research baby carriers
- Do we need a diaper genie?
- Research cot and mattress
- Find bassinet options
- Look at high chairs
- Research baby bags
- Do we need/want baby-carrying backpacks?
- Research baby baths
- Research baby bottles (and a cleaning machine)
Week 18
- Start pregnancy book #4
- Research birth options (home birth, water birth, etc.)
- Research cutting Burt’s nails
- How early do we need to think about getting Burt into a pre-school and school?
- How early do we need to think about a childminder?
- Research and look for baby clothes
- Research baby first aid kit
- Keep an eye out for Amazon Prime Day deals
Week 19
- Start pregnancy book #5
- Re-read the pregnancy warning signs
- Discuss and decide if we want to know the sex
- Research cord banking
Week 20
- Start pregnancy book #6
- Research infant first aid courses
- Research ante-natal classes/groups
Week 21
- Start pregnancy book #7
- Research birth plan
- Do we need a nursing bra?
Week 22
- Make sure Mrs Wrincs is happy with her bra
- Start pregnancy book #8
- Make sure Mrs Wrincs is happy with her desk chair
- Make sure we’re taking care of ourselves (hygiene, grooming, social, hobbies, general treats, etc.)
Week 23
- Start pregnancy book #9
- Re-read the pregnancy warning signs
- Research breastfeeding and figure out what we want to do
Week 24
- Research childbirth classes
- Start pregnancy book #10
- Research nappies (and how many to get before birth)
- Research nappy bags?
Week 25
- Start parenting book #1
- Do we need an anti-flat-head thing
- Research baby wipes
- Research laundry detergent
Week 26
- Mrs Wrincs wants to know about waist training bands
- Research baby food
- Research baby sun lotion
Week 27
- Start parenting book #2
- Re-read the pregnancy warning signs
- Research baby moisturiser
- Research baby shampoo and soap
Week 28
- Research post-partum underwear
- Research baby thermometers
Week 29
- Start parenting book #3
- Research what we need for post-partum recovery
- Research toys for a new-born
Week 30
- Make sure Mrs Wrincs is happy with her bra
- Buy a car (if you haven’t already)
- Create birth plan
Week 31
- Re-read the pregnancy warning signs
- Buy pushchair, car seat, travel system (if you haven’t already)
Week 32
- Buy a cot and mattress (if you haven’t already)
- Buy a baby monitor (if you haven’t already)
- Research dummies
- Buy anything important we haven’t yet bought
Week 33
- Choose a date Mrs Wrincs will go on maternity (if you haven’t already)
- Finish the nursery (if you haven’t already)
- Do I need to learn to swaddle?
Week 34
- Buy a labour bag and contents (if you haven’t already)
- Pack an emergency car bag
- Buy dummies (if you haven’t already)
- Research whooping cough and visitors
- Stock the freezer with easy meals for post-partum recovery
- Write a template message for announcing the baby is born and a list of who to send it to
- Make a list of questions to ask before we leave the hospital
Week 35
- Research baby-proofing
Week 36
- Discuss our plan for baby sleep routine
Week 37
- Look for books to read to Burt early on
Week 40
- Maybe have a baby
Week 50
- Buy a high chair (if you haven’t already)
How Mrs Wrincs Feels
This looks like a lot and she’s a little worried about those first few weeks. Maybe we won’t keep up with our pregnancy to-do list, but it is comforting to see it all laid out. It’s good to have a plan. Mrs Wrincs is slightly concerned about me handling this at times when she doesn’t feel well enough to help. However, ultimately, we think we can manage.
Everyone’s Different
This is not intended to be a guide. Just a breakdown of how we’ve tried to organise our pregnancy. I’m not an expert (very far from it); I’m just doing my best for our new family. If it’s useful to anyone, that’s great. This is not the “right answer”. This is just how an idiot and his wife approached a complicated topic.
Feedback
We often ask for feedback, but we’d especially appreciate some here. So, we’d love to hear what you think of our list. Let us know if you think something should be sooner. Or whether we’ve missed something big.
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