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14 Things to Do Before Baby Arrives

There's a lot to do before giving birth. Here's how to pace yourself and prepare for baby.

First Trimester

Go with the Flow
Women like control. We try to conceive based on our age, our work schedule, or the seasons. But as you've figured out, your baby-to-be doesn't care about your schedule. Beth Provanzana, a Chicago mom of two, hoped to have her first child in the spring. Instead, Kate arrived in October -- just in time for a good Midwestern winter. As Beth remembers, "It bummed me out that I couldn't have that perfect June maternity leave; on the other hand, it was preparation for having kids -- you're no longer in control of everything."

Parents.com