This post is sponsored by Cord Blood Registry ® (CBR ®), but the opinions expressed here are my own.

The moment you find out you’re expecting can be overwhelming and exciting all at once. There is so much excitement, so much to look forward to, yet at the same time, so much to do to prepare. If you are anything like me, your mind immediately started on the researching of all things pregnancy, birth, and baby related. The resources for parenting are endless…and so is the list you begin making in your head. So to help you out a little, I’ve compiled a list of the top three must have resources to check out before having a baby.

Insurance

The first resource you should tap into is one of the most important resources, your insurance. Give your insurance a call and see what they cover, provide, offer, etc. Most insurance companies offer breast pumps today which is a huge advantage! When I had my first baby, breast pumps were not covered and getting one was really hard. I am so thankful for the resources insurance has grown to offer since! Insurance should be one of the first phone calls you make. My insurance offered a nurse on call for maternity coverage, home visits prenatal and postpartum, and more! It was so helpful to know all the resources offered with my maternity coverage right away so I could make the most of them.

Hospital

The next place you’ll find an incredible amount of resources is your local hospital, preferably the one you’ll want to deliver at. I was so surprised at how many resources I missed out on during my first pregnancy because I didn’t know how to find them. The hospital offered so much! From birthing classes, parenting classes, pregnancy groups, CPR and First Aid, Grandparent classes, sibling classes, hospital tours, and more! The possibilities were endless, some were free, and some had a small fee, but every single one was a great resource before having a baby! Not to mention, they have so many resources for after your baby is born to. You can connect with other moms with babies around the same age and have support through different milestones with your child.

Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood stem cells have been used for 30 years in the treatment of over 80 serious diseases, and research is underway for the use of cord blood in conditions that have no cure today. Preserving your newborn’s stem cells may give your child or an immediate family member the opportunity for use in certain blood diseases. Anytime I have shared the opportunities and resources available with CBR and preserving your baby’s newborn stem cells I have heard stories from friends who have done this! They have already received opportunities to use their banked cord blood to help someone. Such an amazing resource you don’t want to miss out on!

CBR believes every family should have the opportunity to preserve their newborn’s stem cells. That’s why they offer affordable payment options to fit almost every family budget and also offer a Gift Registry, where friends and family can contribute towards the cost of banking. CBR also believes in the power of all families and has a Newborn Possibilities Program® which assists families with a qualifying medical need by covering all costs for preserving their child’s newborn stem cells and storing them for 5 years. In addition to payment options, when you bank your baby’s cord blood with CBR, they ensure that every family has access to their team of Certified Genetic Counselors, who can discuss your family’s medical history as it relates to newborn stem cells. The resources that CBR provides you with in Cord Blood Banking is endless. Be sure to visit CBR and learn more about banking your baby’s cord blood and receive up to $200 in discounts.

There are so many resources available to you during your pregnancy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But if you can narrow it down to just a few places to look into, it can make figuring out which resources are best for you and your family simple.

What resource was most valuable to you before having a baby?