Welcome to the third trimester! As the time approaches to meeting your little one, you may be wondering what you should be doing during the last part of your pregnancy. Here is a list of ten things for your to-do list in the third trimester:

1. Get Familiar with Third Trimester Screenings and Visits

The frequency of your routine check-ups will increase during the last trimester to every two weeks, and eventually every week. Your doctor will want to perform certain tests, such as Group B Strep, and administer any immunizations you may want. If your blood type is Rh Negative, you will most likely receive a Rhogam injection, if you haven’t had one already during your pregnancy. Ask your doctor for a list of tests and additional exams you can expect in your third trimester.

2. Finish Taking Prenatal Classes

Take a look at all of the classes offered in your area, and decide which ones would benefit you. Remember to sign up as early as possible, as these classes can fill up quickly. Consider classes such as childbirth, breastfeeding, or infant CPR. Here’s a link to classes offered by Redeemer Health.

3. Start Doing Kick Counts

Around week 28, start keeping track of your baby’s movements. The general rule of thumb is ten fetal movements in two hours. If you notice any decrease in movement, it’s a good idea to notify your doctor.

4. Choose a Pediatrician

Before you go into labor, you should choose a pediatrician for your baby. Doctor’s offices will typically hold meet and greet sessions, where you can familiarize yourself with the staff and the office policies.

5. Read and Ask Questions about Breastfeeding

If you have decided to breastfeed your baby, now is the time to learn about what to expect and any complications that may arise. It’s often a good idea to take a breastfeeding class if this is your first baby. The key to breastfeeding successfully and in a way that’s healthy for you and baby is having the support YOU need. The Breastfeeding Resource Center is here to help.

6. Take a Hospital Tour

Before going into labor, try to take a tour of the hospital or birthing center where you intend to give birth. This gives you the opportunity to get familiar with the layout of the facility.

7. Install the Car Seat

All babies are required to ride home from the hospital in a car seat, and now is a good time to have it installed. Often, you can take the car seat to a local fire or police department certified in car seat installation, and have them install it for you to make sure it is done correctly.

8. Read and/or Take a Class on How to Take Care of Baby

Now that you’ve probably read all about your pregnancy, it’s time to start reading about how to care for your baby once they arrive. Redeemer Health offers a few options for classes.

9. Know the Signs of Labor

There are several signs your body is preparing for labor, including regular tightening in the pelvic area and the onset of a backache. Knowing the signs that you might be in labor is important so you know when to call your doctor and when to head to the hospital. Experiencing any of these signs before 37 weeks could indicate preterm labor, and should be reported to your doctor right away.

10. Plan or Plans in Place For When You Go Into Labor

As soon as your contractions begin, you will want to have a plan in place so you know who you should call and where you need to go. Have your hospital bag ready so you will have one less thing to worry about before heading out to meet your baby.

While it seems like there’s a lot to do before baby comes, the third trimester is also a good time to slow down, relax and enjoy the final stage of your pregnancy. The best is yet to come!

Hearing that a loved one will benefit from hospice care may result in a flood of emotions.

Perhaps the news that a loved one has a limited life expectancy was unforeseen and a departure from the hope for a cure that once occupied your thoughts. Perhaps the suggestion of hospice care comes as a relief and provides hope that help will soon be available to provide much needed comfort, support, and care coordination.

Whatever the circumstance that leads to a recommendation for hospice there may be many questions that follow. What is hospice care? How can they help me and my loved one? And how do I choose a hospice? You may find that there are just a few hospice programs in your region, or you may find as many as 80 or more hospices to choose from.

The following questions may guide you in knowing what to ask and help you in making an informed decision when choosing a hospice provider:

Is the hospice program certified and licensed by the state or federal government?

Most hospices are certified by Medicare and licensed by the state where they provide care. This ensures that certain rules are followed, required services are provided, and that Medicare or Medicaid will pay for services.

What other kinds of accreditation or certification does the hospice program or its staff have?

While not required, many hospices seek accreditation from national organizations that ensure the hospice meets quality standards. Also, hospice team members may have certification in hospice and palliative care or in their profession.

Can I get references, or find out about any accreditation a hospice has?

Yes. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization maintains a directory of all organizational members, providing information about certification and accreditation status as well as other important program information.

How long has the hospice been servicing your community? Who owns or governs the hospice?

How long a hospice has serviced your community, and whether a hospice is not-for-profit, for-profit, faith-based, free-standing, or part of a health system may be important to you.

What screening and training do staff and volunteers receive?

Ask about the number of hours and content of initial training as well as the hospice program requirements for ongoing education of staff and volunteers.

What additional services or programs does the hospice offer?

Federal regulations require all hospices to provide nursing, social work, pastoral care, hospice aide, volunteer, and certain bereavement services. Some hospices have additional services that may include complementary therapies, community bereavement programs and support groups, palliative care, veterans’ programs, pediatric care, or specialized volunteer programs, to name a few.

How does the hospice respond to calls and concerns in the evening, night, and weekend hours?

Ensuring that help is available to you at any time of the day or night to address your concerns and visit your home, when necessary, is critical. Find out how the hospice will respond to these needs.

What will happen if the care can’t be managed at home?

While the needs of nearly all people can be managed in the home, knowing what other options are available for assistance in the event of medical crisis will bring you much needed peace of mind. Some hospices have freestanding inpatient hospice units or houses, while others contract with local hospitals or nursing homes.

What measures does the hospice use to ensure quality?

Public quality reporting for hospice programs will begin within the next year. Many hospices are already collecting data regarding certain quality measures. Inquire about what measures the hospice collects, including how quickly pain and other symptoms are controlled and what actions the hospice has taken to improve in these areas.

Does the hospice measure family satisfaction with care?

Through a brief survey, many hospices ask family members for feedback about care in order to ensure excellence and improve where necessary. Ask the hospice if they measure family satisfaction and how their results compare to other programs.

It is increasingly common for healthcare consumers to explore options and even interview providers prior to making care decisions. Hospice is no exception. Whether choosing between three hospices or 80, understanding what makes hospice programs similar and understanding how they may be different is essential to choosing a hospice that will meet the unique needs of you and your loved one.

To learn more about hospice services at Holy Redeemer, visit Hospice Care.