3 MONTHS TO GO: Which stroller is the best if you want to…

…haul it up and down the subway steps?
The Maclaren Volo is startingly lightweight (only 8.6 pounds), yet eminently stylish. When you’re loath to remove your sleeping infant from the stroller and you’re staring at the steps to your four-story walk-up, you’ll be very grateful. $89, available at Albee Baby Carriage, 715 Amsterdam Ave at 95th St (212-622-8902, albeebaby.com).

…fold it up quickly?
When you need to collapse your ride ASAP—to toss it into the trunk of a taxi, say, or stash it in a restaurant’s coatroom—the one-hand, pull-up-and-go mechanism of the Inglesina Zippy is hard to beat. Its innovative design doesn’t even require you to bend. $330, available at Little Folks, 123 E 23rd St between Park Ave South and Lexington Ave (212-982-9669, littlefolksnyc.com).

…roll it over an uneven sidewalk?
Should the terrain of your concrete jungle be really rough, power vehicle Bob Ironman Sport Utility Stroller might be in order. We’re talking real inflatable tires, a heavily padded, reclining seat and a three-inch shock-absorber suspension system. Take that, Dumbo cobblestones! $350, available at babystrollershop.com.

In this issue:

• 9 MONTHS TO GO: Plan and deliver Three of the first things expectant moms need to decide: where, how and with whom they want to labor. In New York City, your birth options range from heavily high-tech hospitals to fully natural home births.
• 8 MONTHS TO GO: Back to school As your new reality begins to set in, certain labor- and delivery-related questions (“How will I know if I want an epidural? Can you really learn to relax?”) are bound to arise. One sure way to reduce stress: Get informed.
• Get some class Pregnant? We have a feeling you’ll want to sign up for one of these courses.
• 7 MONTHS TO GO: Perfect fit Feel like you’re about to burst seams and pop buttons? It may be time to update your wardrobe. If you fear a swelling belly will mean a shrinking wallet, read on—New York City has options to suit every style and price range.
• Best dressed Though pregnancy does present some unique clothing challenges, NYC offers plenty of maternity shopping options to suit any style (and budget).
• 6 MONTHS TO GO: Make room for baby In NYC, the definition of a “nursery” may be even looser than that of a “bedroom,” but what you lack in square footage you can recoup in style. From no-frills to high-design, these pieces will make your baby’s room rock.
• 5 MONTHS TO GO: Oh baby! Your little one will be small, but she’s going to need a lot of goodies upon arrival. Load up on all of the newborn’s requisites—bibs, onesies, receiving blankets, booties and more—at these four must-visit city spots.
• 4 MONTHS TO GO: Take good care You’re still months away from meeting your baby—odds are you haven’t thought much about entrusting him to someone else. But the sooner you can land high-quality help, the better. Here’s a cheat sheet:
• 3 MONTHS TO GO: Get into the sling of things Wondering which carrier is right for you and your baby? We put four to the test.
• 3 MONTHS TO GO: Which stroller is the best if you want to…
• 2 MONTHS TO GO: Rubbed the right way Five NYC massage therapists helped one very pregnant mama manage her prebaby stress.
• THE BIG DAY: Before “it’s Time” The bags are packed. The playlist of “birth songs” is on your iPod. You’ve researched the current popularity of your future child’s name on ssa.gov. But there may still be a few things you haven’t considered.
• BABY'S HERE!: Out and about The long wait is over; now it’s time to get busy! New York City is loaded with baby-friendly destinations. When you’re ready to take that new stroller for a test drive, put some of our favorite spots on your to-do list.