You are, let’s say, 37-ish weeks pregnant and at the point of pregnancy when every moment feels like a lifetime. Every ounce of you is uncomfortable, and not much is fitting anymore. You need assistance just to put your shoes on. Your car seat must be pushed back to drive, which makes the pedals too far from your feet. You can’t help but wish for your labor to start. I cried roughly every day in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Don’t lose hope!
15 Ways to Keep Busy While Waiting for Labor to Start
Here are some things you can do to help keep you busy while you wait for labor to start.
1. Meal Prep
Put some food away for after baby arrives. If your swollen feet can handle it, take a day to put together some postpartum freezer meals and put them away for the perfect evening meal when cooking just cannot happen.
Related: 12 Postpartum Freezer Meals You Will Love
2. Sexy Time
It may or may not be an old wives’ tale that says having sex naturally induces labor, but I do know it has been said having an orgasm helps soften the cervix. Don’t overthink this, though. It all resembles National Geographic at this point.
3. Get a Massage
Sweet lord, I could have laid on that table all day. Enjoy an hour of someone rubbing your back, and just take time to do nothing.
Related: Benefits of Prenatal and Postpartum Massage
4. Mani/Pedi
Something about having my hands and feet pretty makes me feel like a new woman, especially since my feet are hard to reach nowadays. Having fresh nails is one less thing to worry about when people will soon be all up in your lady bits.
5. Travel
Go on a babymoon or a trip alone, with your spouse, with a friend, whatever. Enjoy the last adult trip before your newest traveling companion joins you!
6. Nest
Clean, Clean, Clean. Bathrooms, random closets, places people will probably not see. These spots will most likely be neglected for a while, so go crazy nesting. Scrubbing on your hands and knees would be great for getting the little babe into the best position.
7. Organize
Do a final sweep of baby’s room and ensure everything is where you want it and easily accessible in case you need help. Make sure diapers and wipes are in a convenient location, and the swing, bouncy seat, and nursing pillow are within eyeshot and assembled.
8. Sleep
Sleep, and then take a nap. Take the time you can to relax and sleep during pregnancy. Take the other kids to the sitter, and don’t feel guilty about just relaxing while you wait for labor to start.
Related: Signs of Labor: How To Know When Baby Is Coming
9. Prepare for Breastfeeding
Research and attend a breastfeeding support group. The world of breastfeeding can be overwhelming, and finding a local support group for you will be helpful when needed!
10. Memorialize your Pregnancy
Take maternity photos! Pregnancy is beautiful, even if you aren’t feeling that way at the time. You will want to remember these moments before the baby comes.
11. Start your Baby Book
Crack open that baby book and fill out the first few pages. Enjoy reminiscing on the cravings, the sleepless nights, the early signs of pregnancy, the day you found out you were pregnant, the pregnancy symptoms you experienced, and when you felt baby move for the first time, and put those memories onto the pages before you forget in the commotion of diapers and feedings and sleep deprivation.
12. Prep your Postpartum Wardrobe
Check your wardrobe out. After delivery, you might not be in your pre-pregnancy clothes yet, but you might be too small for the maternity clothes you wore at the end. I liked to buy “normal” clothes, just a size bigger, so I had some options while my body was figuring out what it was doing. Also, leggings and yoga pants were my best friends ever.
13. Buy a belly band!
Seriously, stop what you are doing and buy one right now! I had two c-sections and only had the belly band after my second one. I could tell the difference in how my stomach went back down and the support I felt I had while recovering from my c-section. It was amazing.
Related: C-Section Recovery Must-Haves
14. Read
Read a book, magazine, birth book, or whatever while waiting for labor to start.
15. Enjoy Your Alone Time
Sit in the baby’s room. Look around, take it all in. Shortly, there will be a little bundle in the bassinet, and life will be so different. So beautifully different. But for now, take a moment and breathe in where you are right now.
