How to Survive the Last Weeks of Pregnancy When You are Waiting for Baby to Arrive
Waiting For Baby
Enjoyable activities while waiting for baby to arrive!
written by: Heidi Snyderburn, BirthStory.com and Catherine Johnson, thebirth.co
ACTIVITIES WHILE 40+ WEEKS
Keeping yourself occupied in those last days and weeks before baby comes can be tricky, especially if
you feel like you have done all the preparation in the world. We are here to help with keeping your
days full of fun, but not too full just in case your little one decides to come! Here is a comprehensive
list of fun activities that will help you keep your mind and body occupied while waiting to meet your
little bestie and the newest love of your life.
MEET WITH FRIENDS
I’m sure you feel like you have a full time job thinking about when your baby is gonna come, I totally
get it! I (Heidi) went to 43 weeks. I literally feel like an expert on the patience game! Your baby will
come when they are ready, so don’t forget to have some fun with friends while waiting. Ask some
friends to grab tapas one night or pastries one morning to catch up on the things in life! Reach out
to some friends that make you laugh! This might sound silly, but laughing releases oxytocin, which is
the hormone responsible for stimulating uterine contractions that can start labor. Hey, who knows?
You might even have your last evening be filled with belly laughs and sweet friends before meeting
your little one, and if so, what a beautiful thing to be able to look back on later!
WALK OUTSIDE
A walk can be a great way to get some fresh air and help clear your mind if worry has started to
creep up about when your little one will arrive. Walking can help us emotionally regulate due to the
bilateral stimulation that is happening when we move the right and left leg each time we take a step.
As we walk we are also engaging the pelvic bones, which can help prepare your baby and your body
for birth. Look at that! An activity that can both prepare you physically and emotionally for the
journey of birth you will step into shortly. Text a friend or research a park with a walking trail nearby,
and if you find some curbs on the trail you can try curb walking to help engage your baby’s head
lower in your pelvis. Lastly, it is important to listen to your body as you walk. Do not push yourself if
your body is telling you to take a rest or walk slower. Pro tip, wear a small camel bak so that you can
hydrate as much as you need. Now, where are the bathrooms on all your walks? If you are in the
woods, make sure to bring some tissues.
DATE NIGHT WITH PARTNER (IF APPLICABLE)
If you have a partner, this might feel like a total no brainer, but do it! Ask your partner to plan a date
night for the two of you or even better you can plan a date night for the two of you somewhere new!
If trying new food isn’t your thing, maybe request the patio space you have always wanted a romantic
date night on or pick a fun new question to ask each other at dinner. If you want a special way to
remember it - go buy a disposable film camera and have your partner take some fun pictures of you!
A date night is a great way to build connection and promote safety in a relationship, which is such an
important element to have going into your birth, especially if your partner plans to be a person of
support within the birth space.
READ A BOOK
It is possible you have spent the last nine months reading all about pregnancy and birth, so reading
might sound redundant, but hey believe it or not there are books out there that aren’t about
pregnancy, breastfeeding, and babies! Pick out a fiction novel you have been dying to read or a
poetry book that could ease your mind. If you aren’t wanting to spend money - visit your local
library to pick out some things that your heart has been eager to read! The best thing about reading
is that you can pretty much do it anywhere, so the possibilities are endless as far as where you read.
If you’ve had a long day, get in the bath with a book or if you want to get out of the house go to the
park or the tea shop up the street! Hey, I hear you if you feel like reading sounds like so much work,
audiobooks can be a great option while you lie down or take a shower. You may also find that
unplugging and being present in the moment might let you soak in these last moments of having
your little one inside.
JOURNALING
Like I said, some of these activities might help you be a little more present, so if emotions or feelings
come up in those moments, don’t forget to write them down! It can be so easy to say things like, “I’ll
never forget” but, it is possible you might not remember the little kicks you felt the day before your
babe was born. So, grab your Birth Story pregnancy guidebook + journal from Heidi and use the
journaling prompts to release some of those feelings! How special would it be to be able to tell your
baby what you did the day before they arrived into the world! Journaling can be a great way to
release stress and reflect on how you are feeling about becoming a parent. You could even write little
notes to your baby for them to read in the future. This is exactly why we included all of these
opportunities for you in the Birth Story book.
MAKE BONE BROTH OR A NOURISHING DRINK (VEGAN/VEGETARIAN OPTION)
Staying nourished is one of the best things you can do for your body as you prepare to go into labor.
One way to fuel your body is to make bone broth or a nourishing drink as a vegan or vegetarian
option. Bone broth is one of the most bioavailable proteins for our body, and our body desperately
needs protein, especially when you are growing a baby or desire to breastfeed postpartum. If you feel
like being on your feet feels exhausting the great thing about making bone broth is that it simmers
for hours so rich flavor and collagen can be extracted. Bone broth can be stored in the fridge for up
to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 12 months! If you are up for learning something new, your
postpartum self will thank you for having some homemade broth to add to soup or tea as you do life
with your little babe. Another option for a birthing person that has a vegan or vegetarian diet is a
nourishing drink, such as an adrenal cocktail. Here me out, I am not asking you to make a mixed
alcoholic drink before you go into labor - this is just a fun name for it! An adrenal cocktail includes a
vitamin C rich fluid (orange juice or pineapple juice), coconut water (rich in potassium), and a pinch
of sea salt (sodium). A simple and quick drink that supports the adrenal gland. If you are feeling fun
you could also purchase some local bee pollen to dissolve into it as well. Bee pollen dissolves great
into hot water and is rich in B vitamins, such as B12. I do not recommend this drink for anyone who
is watching their sodium intake; however, if you do not fall into that category, enjoy your quick and
easy adrenal cocktail!
GET A PRENATAL MASSAGE OR PEDICURE
A prenatal massage is a great activity that could help relieve muscle tension, pain, or stress that you
are holding in any area of the body. The massage therapist will likely be focusing on areas that have
been causing discomfort as well as your lower back, shoulders, and areas of the body connected to
the lymphatic system to help your body protect you from infection. A prenatal massage is a great
way to care for your body and always remember to double check if your insurance will cover some of
the finances for a session. Pro tip, please just make sure they are prenatal certified. Another great
activity would be to take a morning or afternoon to go get a pedicure. Getting a pedicure is not only
a great way to rest and relax, but also has the potential to engage acupuncture pressure points that
have the possibility to start labor.
EXPLORE YOUR CITY
Hey, here me out! I am not asking you to walk the streets of Manhattan all day while 40+ weeks
pregnant, but if baby hasn’t arrived what a great way to get to know your community! If you plan to
have a maternity leave with your little one, go check out the mama group that meets on Tuesday
afternoons at the yoga studio or get to know the doula on your street that has taken interest in caring
for you and your babe postpartum. As you step into the role of becoming a mom the people you see
day to day might look a little different, so what a great way to build some connections before your
little one arrives! Plus, you might even make some lifelong friends!
REST
Rest, rest, rest - We can’t emphasize this enough! If your body needs 12 hours of sleep, don’t hesitate
to start your day at 9am or 10am. You know your body best, so it is important to listen to it and to
try your best to honor its needs. Just remember your body knows when your baby will come, so if
you are longing for a long nap, take it! The rest that your body is asking you for now will best
prepare you and your baby for your birth.
XOXO-
Heidi & Catherine (Birth Story Academy graduate)
If you love this article, please share it with a friend and consider joining Heidi in her online
childbirth class and Facebook group Birth Story Academy.