1. Health Insurance

Your health insurance coverage can be one of the largest cost-savers, so it’s important to look into this before you even become pregnant. Your health insurance likely includes pregnancy and maternity care under federal law, but there can be a few exceptions. For example, if you’re under 26 years old and on your parent’s insurance, health insurance may not cover delivery and newborn care. In addition to getting your health insurance in order, ensure your doctor and hospital are in-network to avoid any surprise bills. If you’re unclear about any part of your insurance, the best thing to do is call and ask your provider.

2. Life Insurance

Life insurance may not be top of mind during pregnancy, but it’s an important consideration for parents. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports the average cost of raising a child to age 17 is $233,610. Without life insurance coverage, these expenses could be detrimental to a family during an already devastating time. To understand how much coverage you need to help protect your family, consider your family’s income and debt, in addition to childcare and education expenses. Ethos’ online application makes it easy to get a quote quickly and likely within your budget.

3. Maternity and Paternity Leave

The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) requires US companies with over 50 employees to provide eligible employees with 12 weeks of unpaid leave. If this is you, you may want to look into how to prepare for those weeks without the income you are accustomed to. This could mean better budgeting, working extra work hours, saving vacation time, or all of the above. While this is the minimum required by law, many companies are taking steps to improve their benefits packages including paid and extended time off. Whatever your situation is, make sure you understand your rights and talk to your employer about your options.

4. Free and Second-hand Items

Babies grow up fast and before you know it, that onesie you bought them as a newborn will be too small. Garage sales and discount stores are great places to shop for things like decorations, clothes, and toys. Keep your eyes open for deals before your baby arrives and you’ll spend (and worry) less later on. Keep in mind that while a lot of baby gear is fine to use second-hand, it’s usually better to buy some items new, especially if there is any question around safety. Items such as car seats, cribs, and strollers have evolved over the years, so you’ll likely want to stick with something current.

5. Your Home and Car

Your lifestyle will change with children—assessing it early will save you stress down the road. Two large financial costs to evaluate include your home and car. You should consider whether your current home suits where you’d like to raise a family, including your local school district. Do you have enough space? Want a yard? Make a list of your home must-haves and start looking early. As for your car, it may be time to trade it in for a four-door hatchback with the latest safety features. Get ahead of these changes and you’ll be glad you did.