3rd Tri

Third Trimester: what to buy

What to expect

This is the final run-in: Braxton Hicks, reduced mobility, and a growing sense of urgency as the due date approaches. Most of what's left to buy is genuinely time-sensitive — the hospital bag, car seat, and pregnancy pillow all need to be ready before labour starts, not after.

Why get this sorted now

A correctly fitted car seat is a legal requirement to leave the hospital, and a packed hospital bag means you're not assembling one at 2am in early labour. Getting these done by week 36 removes the single biggest source of late-pregnancy stress.

What to buy first

An infant car seat, fitted and tested in your car — you cannot leave the hospital without one.
Your hospital bag, packed by around week 35–36.
A pregnancy pillow, if sleep has become genuinely uncomfortable.

Typical spend for this stage

~£475

Rough estimate, based on one pick per essential category — not every option on the page.

What you could do without

A second, "just in case" hospital bag for the partner — one well-packed bag with clear sections usually covers both of you.
A newborn-specific pregnancy pillow — a standard full-body pillow does the same job for the few remaining weeks.
Multiple car seat brands "to compare in person" — pick one that fits your car and your budget, and fit-test it once.