5 Ways to Survive the Last Looooong 4 Weeks of Pregnancy

Hopefully by the time you read this I will have FINALLY given birth. My due date is Sept 20th — but as I was TWO WEEKS late with Miles, chances are good that I’m still pregnant. And quite possibly loosing my mind.

As I write this I am 39 weeks and 4 days pregnant. And loosing my mind. It’s just that the last month of your pregnancy is bound to be the LONGEST month of your life.

All the advice you get from the books and websites tell you to pack your bags at week 36 — just in case. Using that same mentality – the nursery should be ready, the bottles and clothes washed and the carseat should be installed. But then – what do you do for the next 4 to 6 weeks?!?

As you continue to get bigger and bigger (and more and more uncomfortable) this waiting game gets less and less fun.

And — since I was on my feet 100% for my job, I stopped working about a month ago. It’s been great for my back and feet – but definitely doesn’t help the time go by any faster.

What does help the time go by faster? Not much really – but these are the best suggestions I’ve got!

1. Give yourself a project — I like to knit, so currently I am working on some booties for the baby. But any project will do. Scour Pinterest for some fun/easy ideas to keep your hands busy and your mind distracted. Even just getting on Pinterest can be a project in itself — create some fun boards of things to do with your new baby or family activities for the fall! Bonus — you’ll probably have fun adding to the boards while breastfeeding late at night in a few weeks!
2. Read a good book, or 10! Between the library, Half Priced Books and Amazon.com — now’s a good time to catch up on breastfeeding books, birthing books, or a fun novel. It took a little digging, but I recently found out how to rent ebooks from the Frisco Library and it has been a total lifesaver!
3. Movie marathons! Watching a whole movie start to finish is a luxury. Take advantage while you can. I suggest long series – Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek — those should take a while to watch or re-watch. And hopefully will get you to the big Due Date!
4. Playdates, lunch dates, real dates. Fill your social calendar as much as possible. Even on your due date — friends will totally understand if you have to cancel last minute! And if you do happen to go past 40 weeks (totally normal) you will at least have a lunch date or play date to look forward to in the meantime!
5. Pamper yourself! Now is a great time for a pedicure, long baths or a prenatal massage! Trips to my Chiropractor are my spa days — and I go often! The adjustment is perfect for my out of whack body. And they also offer an hour massage paid for by my insurance! Heaven! Or a pedicure with a nice foot massage is said to help induce labor — cute toes and a baby — win win!