Parent Items Checklist 📋

A birth plan helps you communicate your preferences to your midwife — pain relief, positions, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin, who is in the room and more. It does not have to be long; even a one-page summary is helpful. Your midwife can talk you through the options.

Aim to have your bag ready by 36 weeks. You will want one bag for labour and one for after birth. Think: TENS machine, snacks, phone charger, change of clothes, toiletries, going-home outfit for baby, notes from your midwife and your birth plan. Pack for your partner too if they are staying.

You will need to register your baby's birth within 42 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (21 days in Scotland). This is done at your local register office — you will need to book an appointment. You will receive a birth certificate which you will need for everything from the GP to school registration.

Having a baby is the best prompt to get this sorted. A will lets you name a guardian for your child if something happens to you. Life insurance and income protection ensure your family is financially covered. If you have not done this yet, now is the time — it is simpler than you think.

Try on baby carriers and test prams in person before you buy — worth doing before the baby arrives. John Lewis and Mamas & Papas both offer free nursery advice appointments with a specialist.