10 Relaxing Things to do While Waiting for Baby to Come
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Are you tired of waiting for your baby to be born? Feeling more uncomfortable every day? Getting annoyed from all the obvious stares from strangers at the grocery store? If so, then this post will help you to find the joy in these last moments of pregnancy instead of dreading them.
Below are some fun and relaxing things to do while waiting for baby to come that will leave you feeling happy and stress-free. Enjoy, and let me know in the comments what you would add to the list!
Disclaimer: These tips are not medical advice and you should ask your care provider if you are unsure about the safety of these activities. Each pregnancy is different, so I don’t guarantee that any of these ideas will work in your situation.
Fun and Relaxing Things to do While Waiting for Baby
#1 Take a hot bath.
A hot bath can take a portion of the weight off your body by allowing the water to carry some of your belly for you. It also can help ease aches, pains, and worries and allow you to relax.
#2 Dance!
Did you know that dancing can help move things along and relieve pain? It’s also a great way to have fun your last few days of pregnancy, especially if you get to dance with your husband.
My husband, Chase, and I went to dances up until I was about 8 months pregnant with our first baby. People thought we were crazy, but it helped us enjoy the wait. Line dances in your living room at home are also fun to try out!
#3 Play games.
I’ve heard lots of stories of couples paying card games while timing contractions. While I wasn’t able to do this, I think it sounds quite fun and a great way to enjoy each moment of pregnancy. You’d be surprised at how many different games you can play with a single deck of cards!
#4 Treat yourself at mile markers.
Go treat yourself to a yummy dessert or a fun activity when you reach your week mark, are another centimeter dilated, etc. Celebrate every bit of progress!
#5 Always have something to look forward to.
When I began to be anxious waiting for the baby to be born, I needed something to be excited about. More specifically, I needed activities planned on the week of and after my due date so that I wouldn’t be so disappointed if our little girl chose to wait. If she ended up coming, then I would just reschedule the appointment.
#6 Find fun, spontaneous things to distract you.
Distractions can help so much when you can’t stand the weight or the wait. My husband read Harry Potter books to me while I made dinner, cleaned, or got ready for bed. It made a big difference in helping me enjoy the journey rather than miserably enduring it. It was also a great way to motivate me to get off the couch and get something done instead of thinking about how huge I felt.
If your husband can’t read to you, then I recommend checking out Amazon’s books on Audible or audiobooks from your local library. It will be worth it to have something interesting to listen to!
#7 Watch movies!
Watching movies and shows is a great way to temporarily forget about your heavy belly and aching joints. It can also help you relax during labor. This is a time to not feel guilty about binge watching!
You can also prep your body for labor by sitting or bouncing on a yoga ball while you watch movies.
#8 Write a letter to your baby.
Write a letter to your unborn baby for them to read in the future. This was super fun for me and Chase! It got me to think about the pregnancy from the beginning until the present, and all the sweet and crazy memories that I want my little girl to know about.
In the letter, we told her how we felt when we found out we were pregnant, that she seemed to get really excited when she heard orchestral music, and that we sang to her almost every night. You can also tell your baby what you think their personality will be like, your feelings for them, how excited (or nervous) you are to meet them, etc. It will hopefully provide a special experience when you show them the letter when they are older.
#9 Prep the house.
Many women have the “nesting” instinct, which can be a great way to get your mind off waiting for baby to arrive. Clean, organize baby clothes, rearrange furniture, make sure you have most of what you need before baby comes, etc. (Just don’t overwork your body!)
If you need a guide on what to get for your baby while on a tight budget, check out this post!
#10 Pamper yourself!
Get a pedicure, get your hair done, buy yummy smelling lotion or perfume, get a prenatal massage, or anything to help you feel relaxed and good about yourself. Some people even say that massages can help induce labor!
The Most Important Thing to Remember While Waiting for Baby
It can be extremely difficult to be patient as you approach or even pass your estimated due date (EDD). However, the most important thing you can do is remain calm, relaxed, and happy. Being stressed will not help your baby come sooner and will not make either of you feel better. On the other hand, being calm, relaxed, and happy can help your baby come sooner and smoother because of the oxytocin that is emitted into your system! (Not to mention that it will make your experience more positive.)
You can check out this post to learn how I had a peaceful birth, even when it didn’t go exactly as I hoped.
What to do when your baby comes late
My first baby was born 9 days after her EDD. Although I was trying to be patient, I frantically tried everything I could to induce labor naturally to avoid a medical induction. (And so that I would be free from the discomfort of pregnancy.)
I found myself sobbing often because I was so uncomfortable and ready to meet my daughter. I didn’t expect her to come early or even on her EDD, but after one unnecessary trip to the hospital and not having any signs other than Braxton Hicks, I was getting pretty anxious to be done waiting for my baby.
A dear friend of mine who was about a week further along in her pregnancy than I was gave me some much needed advice. We had been texting each other how far along we were in our pregnancies. (I was a day short of 40 weeks, and she was at 41 weeks.) Here’s what she said:
“You should pick something to do to celebrate getting to 40wks! That’s something I do to stay positive and patient! 😊 Today is 41 wks for me, so we went to brunch together as a family! 🥳 Budget some cash to treat yourself as you cherish these last precious days of pregnancy! 🥰”
Not only was I impressed that she had made it to 41 weeks, but the words “cherish” and “precious” she used to describe the end of pregnancy caught my attention. It helped me remember that pregnancy is a wonderful thing; my body is working to create new life! And if it needs a few extra days, it’s better to treasure the moments of having my little one growing and moving inside me than to dread them.
You Got This, Mama!
I hope these give you ideas on what you can do to have fun during the last days of pregnancy! Do you have things to do that helped you while waiting for baby to come? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Life after birth isn’t always a walk in the park! If you want ideas on how to enjoy life after giving birth, check out go here!