From the size of an olive, your growing baby has had you captivated and delighted. With a beating heart, budding limbs and flourishing nails and lashes.. what could offer more preoccupation?
The early weeks and months of pregnancy afford incredible wonder, however, as pregnancy progresses and discomfort grows, it’s no wonder the romance wanes.
For all the wonder and awe of pregnancy, the final stretch can sometimes feel more like a struggle for survival. So, how do we make the most of those final few weeks? Here are some thoughts.
1. Make sure you get a record of your pregnant self
You might be loathing your ginormous state at the moment, but not long from now, you’ll look back with split-personality-type adoration at how gorgeous you really were.
Do yourself a service, and make sure you have a good record of just how round and huge and wonderful that tummy once was. Into the future, your kids will be ROTFL at how hilarious and huge you were, with themselves inside you.
Photograph yourself, video yourself, cast yourself… You’ll thank yourself 🙂
2. REST!
You’re probably itching to dust the venetian blinds and bleach every known surface to man, but don’t. Just don’t.
It’s reasonable for your nesting instincts to kick-in about now, but resist those urges to go all-out.
Spoiler: You’re going to need as much energy as you’ve got for birth, so preserve it.
If your mad-house nesting instinct is obstinate, direct it toward something that you’ll thank your sweet self for later…. like freezer friendly meals 🙂
3. Enjoy your partner
Remember them?? The one you fell head-over-heels for and would sacrifice all others to spend time with? They’re still there and are probably hoping they haven’t lost you to your budding foetus forever.
Relish this time together; have fun with the crazy season you find yourselves in. Dream together about what your future holds, as it might be a while before you get this precious one-on-one time again.
4. Finish work (early enough!!)
I know finances can dictate this one, but, if you can, finish work with plenty of time to spare (and some). The times I hear of women going into labour before they finish work is agonising. You’ll never get this time back… ‘I wish I worked longer’, said no mother. Ever.
One of the benefits of not being in a crowded office space, is you can spend the day speaking to your stomach without looking like the village crazy lady. Your baby by now will be totally familiar with your voice and it will be one of the consistent comforters after it migrates to the outside world. Your partner’s voice will be pretty sweet too and will aid in their post-birth bonding too 🙂
5. Spend time with family and friends
Have copious uninterrupted cups of hot tea and indulge in long conversations with family and friends, as these will become scare once bub arrives.
They may have been front row and centre in your life up until now, but as soon as baby turns up, these special people in your life will likely be stripped of your attention.. for at least a little while.
6. Don’t forget to have a baby shower
This is a MUST. Don’t forget to celebrate baby’s imminence with one of these. Wait too long and your littlest companion will attend this soiree and steal your thunder. Don’t wait for lack-lustre to set in either, plan early enough, so you can enjoy.
You never know… you might get so looted-up, that you’ll need shop for nothing.
7. Pamper yourself
You’re freakin’ amazing and your body has been working like a boss. Love on it a little and give yourself a pamper. You can of course head to your nearest day-spa – certainly don’t pass up this opportunity, if it’s there. But you can achieve the same effect without the outlay…
Give yourself a heat pack and snuggle down to watch a chick flick; pop some bubbles and essential oils in your tub (but don’t slip!) and paint those long, strong talons of yours.
You might need to enlist some help for those toes, that you haven’t seen for months.. they’re still there.. might be a little ugly by now, but they’re there.
With all that’s been going on and all that you need to do, sometimes we can forget what it is these final few weeks are achieving…..
You’re accomplishing much, and this time is certainly not wasted. That baby of yours is continuing to be nourished as her final development is completed. She’s probably laying down some fabulous folds of fat whilst she kicks back and enjoys her final days and weeks in that wonderful womb she calls home.
Enjoy these last few weeks and remind yourself of all that you’ve done and all that’s yet to come. I’m excited for you. You can do better than survive! Enjoy!!
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