95 Indicators You’re Prepared for Parenthood

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As you approach the final stages of pregnancy, you may find yourself questioning how to recognize the signs of labor. Relax! Here are 95 clear indicators that you’re on the verge of welcoming your little one.

1. Your healthcare provider confirmed your pregnancy nearly 10 months ago.
2. Friends and family often ask, “Haven’t you had that baby yet?”
3. You’ve taken to social media to clarify, “No, I haven’t had the baby.”
4. Comfort during sleep has become a distant memory, despite your pillows’ best efforts.
5. You find yourself in the restroom far too often—around 198 times a day.
6. Strangers approach to touch your belly without permission.
7. You finally picked up that captivating book, but can’t seem to finish it.
8. You still haven’t settled on a baby name.
9. Your mother has come to stay, ready for labor, while critiquing your spice organization.
10. You made a hefty, non-refundable payment for a much-anticipated BABYMOON.
11. Tears flow as you mourn the BABYMOON that never was.
12. You experience something called THE BLOODY SHOW, which deserves jazz hands.
13. Nightmares haunt you of giving birth to an adult version of Justin Bieber.
14. You wake up from dreams involving Justin Bieber that you never wanted.
15. Despite disliking him, you catch yourself singing “Baby” to your pet.
16. A relative inquires if you will name your child after someone in the family.
17. You ask random strangers to help tie your shoes.
18. You express your frustration with phrases like, “I am so done with being pregnant!”
19. Prenatal yoga no longer sounds appealing.
20. You feel an urgent need to paint the nursery right this moment.
21. You search online, “How many onesies do I really need?”
22. You start to panic over circumcision decisions.
23. Concerns arise about future salary disparities for daughters.
24. You have a hair appointment scheduled.
25. Your hospital bag remains unpacked.
26. Your OB-GYN has informed you that labor is imminent.
27. Traffic becomes unbearable on sweltering days.
28. You realize you’ll need to teach another human being about bodily functions.
29. You’re convinced you’ll go into labor during a friend’s BBQ.
30. One of your children sustains an injury.
31. The cashier at your local store predicts your baby’s arrival is close.
32. Important dates like anniversaries may soon share a birthday with your child.
33. Your pantry is devoid of any delicious treats.
34. You haven’t settled on cloth vs. disposable diapers.
35. The debate between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding is ongoing.
36. Attachment parenting vs. free-range parenting remains undecided.
37. You’re unsure where your baby will sleep, but share Instagram photos of your cat in the co-sleeper.
38. Heartburn plagues you relentlessly.
39. Your favorite leggings are now in tatters.
40. You find yourself crying over Hallmark commercials and certain scenes from The Walking Dead.
41. Others regale you with their childbirth horror stories.
42. All you desire is a Chocolate Frosty from Wendy’s, but no one seems to get the hint.
43. You can’t decipher if your water has broken or if you simply wet yourself.
44. Constant back pain becomes your new norm.
45. You visit the hospital only to learn your contractions are Braxton Hicks.
46. Your doctor is about to take a vacation.
47. Voice mail messages flood in asking if you’ve had the baby yet.
48. You are waddling like a penguin.
49. While assembling the crib, you discover crucial screws are missing.
50. You research how much wine is considered “safe” in late pregnancy.
51. You shoot daggers at anyone drinking wine nearby.
52. You worry about the potential effects of cold medicine taken pre-pregnancy.
53. You throw a magazine in frustration over celebrity post-baby bodies.
54. Bending down to retrieve that magazine is now a challenge.
55. You wish to incinerate every empire-waisted maternity top in your closet.
56. Fatigue is your constant companion.
57. Except at 3 a.m., when bathroom trips become necessary.
58. You look up methods to induce labor.
59. You ponder the idea of labor-inducing intimacy.
60. The mythical labor-inducing salad crosses your mind.
61. You reconsider your plans for a natural childbirth.
62. Your dishwasher decides to stop working.
63. A neighbor shouts, “Any day now, huh?” from across the yard.
64. You jokingly display your chest to your partner, asking, “Have you noticed these yet?”
65. Your breasts feel like they weigh a ton.
66. Seatbelts start to feel like a punishment.
67. You declare you’ll never allow your child to watch television as an infant.
68. You start to expect a push present.
69. You debate whether that should be a charm bracelet.
70. Or perhaps a Big Mac.
71. At minimum, a candy bar will suffice.
72. It better at least be a candy bar!
73. The idea of pregnancy-themed adult content makes you giggle uncontrollably.
74. A fellow expectant friend announces the name you secretly chose.
75. Laughing sometimes results in a little accident.
76. You can’t stop admiring the tiny socks you bought.
77. The size of your bathtub is becoming a point of frustration.
78. You can’t recall if soaking in the tub is allowed late in pregnancy.
79. Pinterest fuels your envy with images of large bathtubs.
80. No one is delivering fries, and it’s quite upsetting.
81. Lamaze class knowledge seems to have vanished from your memory.
82. You feel you can’t endure another day of pregnancy.
83. A relative shares their traumatic labor story with you.
84. The thought of sharing a recovery room with a stranger fills you with dread.
85. You realize you haven’t purchased a car seat yet.
86. Installing that car seat feels like an impossible task.
87. The barista at Starbucks gives you judgmental looks for ordering a caffeinated drink.
88. Your cat insists on walking across your belly.
89. You feel as though you might be pregnant indefinitely.
90. You finally sit down to enjoy a meal.
91. Contractions are occurring every ten minutes.
92. Then, they inexplicably cease.
93. They restart just as you’ve fallen asleep.
94. Contractions begin when your partner is out of the country.
95. Your water breaks in the middle of the snack aisle at Target.

As you navigate this whirlwind of emotions and changes, remember that preparation is key. For additional insights on conceiving and fertility, you may want to explore articles on fertility supplements. Resources like Cleveland Clinic offer valuable information on insemination techniques. If you’re considering at-home insemination options, check out this guide for more tips.

In summary, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed as you approach labor. From wondering about baby names to facing the realities of impending parenthood, these signs reflect the emotional and physical journey of preparing for your little one’s arrival.