As you near your due date, you are a hurricane of emotions; excitement, nervousness, and anxiety go hand in hand as you get ready to welcome your little baby. Hitting the last month is indeed a huge milestone, but the last few weeks of pregnancy can seem a little too much to handle.
You cannot wait to feel like yourself again as your belly keeps getting in your way. You are uncomfortable; you are sore with all the added weight; your feet do not even look like feet at this point; in short, you are EXHAUSTED! To top it all, your emotions are all over the place, courtesy of pregnancy hormones. You’d be surprised to know that how you feel is normal and quite common. Once the baby arrives, you will forget all about this as you embark upon your journey of motherhood.
As you waddle your way through the final weeks of pregnancy, here are some favorite tips that moms-to-be swear by, that helped them survive the last weeks of pregnancy with grace.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice or consultation.
Why Are The Last Two Weeks Of Pregnancy So Hard?
As the third trimester comes to an end, you may experience fatigue and discomfort like never before. It is hard to get around. The weight from your pregnant belly causes backaches that just do not go away. Your body feels sore. Every time you stand, it feels like the baby is about to come out, due to the excessive pressure.
You cannot seem to get enough sleep when you are sick of heartburn and headaches, and the times you do, the belly keeps getting in the way of you being comfortable. Oh, did I mention that you have to pee about a million times per day?
The fact that your maternity clothes do not fit anymore adds to the anxiety from prodromal labor pain, and overstretched skin that will never look the way it did before. All the labor-inducing tips and tricks you tried have failed you.
Coupled with the emotional stress you face as a mom-to-be, it is almost as if you have been through the wringer, and you find yourself counting the days till you hold your new baby in your arms.
11 Tips For Surviving Last Few Weeks Of Pregnancy
As you brave through the home stretch of your pregnancy, there are moments when you feel you are done being pregnant, especially if your due date has passed (as seen in many first-time mothers). If your recent thoughts are similar to “what should I do in the last two weeks of pregnancy”, you have come to the right place, Mama.
1. Rest Whenever You Can
Your body is working around the clock. A nap here and there can do wonders for you.
Once the baby gets here, chances are that you won’t be able to catch up on sleep initially. They do not call it the fourth trimester for nothing. So right now, while you have the time, utilize it to rest as much as you can.
Get comfortable as you support yourself with pillows. Getting in a warm bath before bed can help you relax better, relieving your back pain. Try to limit your screen usage when in bed. If you have older kids to look after, aim for a power nap whenever you get the chance.
2. Nesting To-Do List
Did you make a list of chores for your nesting period, that has been buried in some drawer? Use these last weeks of pregnancy to finish the pending to-do list. Remember to take it easy and don’t take up tasks that will drain you, since you need all the rest you can get to be prepared for your baby.
You can ensure that the nursery is ready, the baby’s clothes and essentials are organized4. These things will help you transition easily once your baby joins you.
If you haven’t yet, it’s time to pack your hospital bag, whether you’re having scheduled C-section or plan to have a natural birth.
I also recommend you to find your mom tribe that could be a great source of information how to survive postpartum, as well as tips for new moms and all that newborn babies stuff. And most importantly – meeting new mom friends (as a new mom) who are at the same stage of life can be a very helpful source of emotional support. You can look for online groups or maybe there are some mommy clubs/meetups in your neighborhood that you could join. It’s best to do the research before baby arrives!
3. Pamper Yourself
Do not hold back, as you deserve the world Mama! Indulge in self-care. Book yourself a nail appointment or a pedicure. Get a prenatal massage. Go shopping if that’s what you want.
Don’t worry if you have limited budget, home spa is a fantastic opportunity for a little me-time. You can light some candles, put relaxing music on and take a bath or try meditation. Remember that at every stage of your life (and motherhood) self-care is important and something you deserve, mama.
Another idea is to dress up and take pictures. Though it seems impossible at this moment, your future self will thank you for investing in yourself. Plus dressing up will boost your mood.
Since you won’t get a lot of sleep in the next few months, sleep as much as you can. Put yourself first1.
4. Be Grateful
Instead of moping around the house and waiting for your labor to kick in, you can focus on gratitude that will ease this rough time2. Think about the things you are grateful for, which will help clear your perspective. Make it a part of your daily schedule Mama.
5. Get Moving
In case you are wondering, getting some exercise is the best way of surviving the last weeks of pregnancy while keeping it fun. Opt for a walk, or go swimming to enjoy some time being weightless. It can also help to relieve your back pain which can be really annoying foward to end of pregnancy. Besides, spending some time out of the house can leave you feeling refreshed.
If you don’t not feel like getting out of the house in the last week or two of pregnancy, you can try stretching or yoga for pregnant women, walking around the house, or using your exercise ball3. This can be helpful for inducing labor (make sure to consult with your doctor first if you’re overdue).
6. Spend Time With Older Children
If this is not your first pregnancy, devote some time to your other children.
When a newborn enters the picture, the family dynamics always change. Utilize the last weeks of the third trimester to plan one-to-one dates with the kids. If your health allows, go for some outings. Spending quality time with your kids will take the edge off of you, as you prepare to welcome the newborn.
Watch your kid’s soccer match and see their face beam with happiness. Honestly, a win-win situation!
7. Date Night With Husband
As your family grows, babies take up more time, inadvertently pushing just-us-two time way in the back.
Hence you should plan a date night with your husband to spend some quality time together. It doesn’t always have to be a fancy restaurant. Going out on a little stroll, slow dancing in the lounge when the kids are asleep, or having a movie date on your comfortable couch are all wonderful ideas to keep the spark alive.
8. Spend Time With Friends
Once your new baby arrives, it can be quite hard to take out time for yourself, at least for the first few weeks. You can make plans with your friends for a movie or a girl’s night.
If your physical and financial situations allow, go to that amazing restaurant you have been eyeing for quite some time.
When babies arrive, making time for your friends takes the back burner for a while. Use these last few days to meet up with your friends and family. Having a heart-to-heart session with a dear one will leave you feeling relaxed5. Other moms can suggest helpful tips regarding birth, labor, breastfeeding, managing kids and a baby simultaneously, etc.
9. Eat What You Like
Making a baby is no joke, and that too for 9 long months. Notice how you instantly feel elated as you down your favorite donut? You deserve all the treats.
Unless restricted by your doctor, you can enjoy your favorite snacks as you get through these final weeks.
Do not worry about gaining extra pounds, because once the baby is here, you will find yourself losing all the weight you gained during pregnancy.
10. Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to survive the last week of pregnancy is to plan ahead. Use your crockpot to make freezer meals. The options are endless: Tuscan chicken, Mongolian beef, spaghetti and meatball sauce, broccoli cheese soup, etc.
Not only will this keep you busy, but having food at the ready when you are taking care of a new baby will leave you feeling grateful that you eased up things for yourself.
It is advisable to stock up on supplies in the final week, so you can avoid some grocery store runs after giving birth. Besides, having all the postpartum essentials at your disposal will ease your transition into the fourth trimester.
Make sure you’re stocked up on diaper cream, baby massage oil, nipple butter, comfy nursing dressed and at least 3 nursing bras!
11. Prepare Yourself
Whether it’s your first baby or not, it helps to be mentally and emotionally prepared from the beginning. If you go overdue, you might have to be induced at the hospital. Or what you imagined a smooth delivery might actually end up in a cesarean section. The key is to keep an open mind, and always have a plan B for the birth6.
Get all the emotional support in the last week as you can. Read up on breastfeeding. Talk to a midwife or a mom friend.
Important To-Do List For The Last Two Weeks Of Pregnancy
As you navigate through the last days of being pregnant, here is an important list for the last week of pregnancy:
- Pack your bag: If you haven’t packed your hospital bag and baby bag yet, now would be the perfect time to do so.
- Ensure nothing is missing: Go through your lists to ensure you have got everything you’ll need after giving birth.
- Make freezer meals: Clean your freezer and store some home-cooked easy meals for new moms that will make your postpartum period easier and save precious time.
- Book a cleaning service: Once the baby is here, you’ll find yourself quite busy. Book a cleaning service to have a clean house, while you focus on important issues.
- Stock up on essentials: It is advisable to gather baby essentials, as well as postpartum recovery essentials so you have the necessary support available at hand.
- Take it easy: Relax Mama! This tough time will eventually pass. Get all the support you need for surviving the last week of pregnancy.
What Should I Avoid During Last Weeks Of Pregnancy?
Here are a few tips on what to avoid during the last weeks of pregnancy:
- Lifting or strenuous exercise: Any strenuous activity can lead to birth complications. Hence they should be avoided.
- Alcohol, smoking, and excessive caffeine
- Any activity with a fall risk
- Cat litter cleaning: Let another family member clean the cat litter since pregnant women are at risk of contracting Toxoplasmosis from the litter.
- Sleeping less: Do yourself a favor and sleep whenever you can.
- Raw/smoked seafood and Deli meat
- Listening to unsolicited advice
- Googling everything
- Letting anxiety get the better of you
- Worries of the future: Try to focus on positive things around you. Keep the troubling emotions away.
- Amusement parks: You should avoid amusement parks since the jarring motion of the rides can cause emergencies like placental abruption.
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Resources:
https://pregnantchicken.com/
https://organizedchaosblog.com/
https://fridaywereinlove.com/
https://www.mommasociety.com/
https://www.bigcitymoms.com/
https://www.doulasofphiladelphia.com/
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂