Near Your Due Date?
6 things to do in the last days (or weeks) of pregnancy.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
When you’re heavily pregnant, time seems to slooooooow riiiiight doooowwwwn.
You’ve wound things up at work, tidied things up at home and checked your due date a zillion times, but if your baby isn’t showing any signs of budging, and you’re tired of answering ‘Have you had it yet???’ texts, then here are six ways to pass the time in the last stretch of pregnancy.
1. Search for childcare.
Although this might not sound like the funnest way to spend your day, it is a very good idea to investigate your childcare options before your bub arrives.
Amazing services get booked up well in advance, and if you’re planning to return to work in your baby’s first year, then it’s especially important to find a place you’ll both love.
This article takes you through the ins and outs of searching for childcare, and the KindiCare app app makes it easy to look through loads of centre listings without moving your bump off the couch!
2. Sew something.
A little sewing project is a nice distraction when you’re waiting for your bundle of joy, and there are options for amateurs and experts.
If you have a sewing machine, you might like to make a romper, bib or blankie for your baby, or even a breastfeeding-friendly dress for yourself.
And if hand-sewing is more your measure, then a cross-stitch for the nursery, leaving room for your baby’s name and birth date, will keep you busy for ages.
Knitted toys and crocheted nesting baskets are also an option, and even if your #madebyme creation turns out a bit ‘interesting,’ it’s all about the process…
3. Trawl through baby names.
If you haven’t got any names in mind yet (or even if you have), it’s always entertaining to scroll through the weird and wonderful options at Nameberry, and similar sites.
You might also find some inspiration in your family tree, and if you’re looking for an excuse to keep up with the Kardashians, Paris Hilton and other celebs, then ‘baby name research’ may just be it!
4. Pamper yourself.
If you’re feeling big, bored and less beautiful than normal, then a nice bath or home facial can give you a real boost.
You might want to book a professional tooth clean or haircut; and if your mum, sister or bestie are around, then maybe they can fix you a refreshing drink and paint those toenails you haven’t seen for weeks!
5. Cook something new.
As well as making sensible, freezer-friendly meals for the fourth trimester, it’s also fun to experiment with recipes you’d never normally try.
Fancy petit fours, made-from-scratch croissants and things in jars (mmm….. pickles….) may tickle your tastebuds.
And if you really want to fill in time (and freezer space) before that first contraction, then Alvin Zhou’s 100-hour lasagna is a labour-intensive option. Skip the red wine and settle in for a meditative cooking marathon!
6. Read a book.
Once your bub arrives, it may be a while till you’re in the right headspace to focus on a book, but late pregnancy is a great time to lose yourself in a work of fiction, or read (and re-read) every pregnancy and parenting book anyone’s ever recommended!
Of course, the above activities may not be so easy if you already have your hands full with a child (or two).
If this is the case, then it’s still important to get in a good space, physically and mentally, before your family expands – and this means delegating domestic duties wherever possible and enjoying some quality time with your lovelies.
Gentle walks with your partner and big cuddles with your kiddo will work wonders for the body and soul, and although it’s natural to focus on the moment your new baby arrives, try to enjoy these last days (or weeks) with your nearest and dearest – and yourself.
