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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

things to pass the time when on maternity leave (prior to baby arriving) WWYD?

21 replies

danio7 · 19/07/2011 15:39

Started Mat leave yesterday and wondering what I should do?

So far I have completely spring cleaned the house, found a load of stuff to put on ebay and shredded a whole lot of old paperwork that we dont need.
the nursery is already done and I am way ahead of myself with the baby list- I have everything!!!!

I have also commited to doing the stupid pregnancy yoga DVD once a day.

I am pretty sure I am going to be bored by tommorow, does anyone have any good suggestions on what to do? I already watch loads of tv and internet soooo productive (time consuming things) would be great!

5 weeks left...

:o

OP posts:

Report

LaWeasel · 19/07/2011 15:41

cinema!!

Just go out and do things.

ObviouslyOblivious · 19/07/2011 15:42

Well I spent two wonderful days watching sky movies, and planned to spend the next few cooking for the freezer. That of course meant that I had the baby straight away!
So my tip is: do anything that is essential first and then relax!

danio7 · 19/07/2011 15:44

omg obviously an eager one oblivious

maybe I should book a pedicure, DHs paintwork isnt up to scratch bless him..

OP posts:

chocoroo · 19/07/2011 15:45

Read a book. Then read another. I have only finished two books since DD was born five months ago. I used to finish a book a week at least.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 19/07/2011 15:47

Love Film subscription and work your way through various box sets. Also handy for the early days when you're stuck on the sofa feeding :)

nannyl · 19/07/2011 15:47

start filling your freezer with yummy homemade meals, so you dont have to worry about cooking at all in the early days.

I have 8 weeks to go.... i have washed all the bedding (including mattress & pillow protectors etc) in the whole house... and all the curtains. and cleaned the sofa cushions (not sure why as will be covered in sick soon im sure)

Is there a local aqua natal class? I LOVE mine and go every week and have made a few local friends with similar due dates

We have had builders in, and are having our bathroom "done" next week.

Meet friends for coffee / lunch and enjoy the peace... also lots of nice long baths cause it will be a while before you get many more

thesurgeonsmate · 19/07/2011 15:48

Yes, just go out and do things. Keep moving!

pettyprudence · 19/07/2011 15:53

I booked a haircut and highlights and ds arrived the day before..... I have massive roots in all my new baby photos. GRRR.

I was also about to start stocking the freezer when DS arrived. Every evening since he has been born he has cried when its my dinner time, inc when I put him to bed first and waited til late to eat (last night!). My baby is determined I will not eat slowly and in peace.

ObviouslyOblivious · 19/07/2011 15:55

Oh god yes read a book! I've been reading the same book since Christmas and DS was born at the end of January. I miss reading.

Kat3L · 19/07/2011 15:57

Some batch cooking for the freezer if you fancy it. I did some shepherd's pies and spag bol sauces and have been really glad of them. My DS is now 18 weeks and we still have a couple of things left in the freezer.

Check out your calendar for birthdays/anniversaries etc in the next couple of months and buy in any cards and pressies that you need. I'm sure you'll be out shopping again before too long but if you have a c-section you won't have the same freedom for a while.

And yes, read, watch tv, go out etc. And all the best with the birth and your new arrival.

KnitterNotTwitter · 19/07/2011 16:11

Definitely do lots of batch cooking... things that you an eat with one hand - shepherds pie type stuff.... Your other hand will be holding your DC :-) I also made lots of muffins and froze them. Then when people came round to see DS I could whip a few out and they thought I was a domestic goddess and a perfect mother ;-)

Suggest you investigate your local area - get library card for yourself if you've not got one, find the quickest route to the best swings...etc...

Pack your hospital bag

Launder all the clothes you've got for your DC

Get some pregnancy reflexology - lovely and soothing and helped bring on my labour

Sleep - get as much as you can so that you're not tired to start with

But... don't put your feet up too much... you need to keep moving...

Zoidberg · 19/07/2011 20:37

Another one saying go out and have coffee / lunch with people. Go on daytrips to visit people - I went a couple of hours on train to see friends I don't get to see much.

Do you like museums / galleries / old houses, that sort of thing? Go somewhere half an hour away on train to see an exhibition.

Do some writing - long emails to friends, a diary, birthplan...

I can't remember anymore about what I did, I remember going out to dinner three times though. I had nearly 4 weeks leave before due date but after about 10 days I suddenly felt big and uncomfortable and sat around in my mum's garden a lot. The final week I spent in "latent" labour but that's another story

Catsycat · 19/07/2011 21:00

Is there an NCT Bumps and Babies group in your area? I went to that when pg, and the group of mums I met there have become really good friends.

Otherwise, just do whatever you enjoy, that will be harder to do once your baby arrives, as everyone has suggested.

Enjoy!

LifeOfKate · 19/07/2011 21:48

Enjoy having a shower/going to the loo on your own :o

Ragwort · 19/07/2011 21:51

I read loads - a book a day - was bliss . Had recently moved so didn't have any 'old' friends around to catch up with but enjoyed making new ones !

timetosmile · 19/07/2011 21:54

You all sound so organised.
I was hemming the nursery curtains on a manual sewing machine between contractions..there was one section stuck together with wonderweb for years.
Kick back, put your feet up, enjoy the peace and quiet!

goofygoober · 20/07/2011 10:44

I've been off for over a week now and it is so quiet at home. I've tried to meet up with friends and go shopping but I'm so huge I can only manage about an hour by myself before I'm gagging for a chair. I've sorted out my hospital bag 50,000 times. I'm overdue and desperate to have the baby. Off to slice some pineapple and prepare a hot curry for dinner.

The cinema is a good idea, as is reading. Ooh, the library, of course! Everyone keeps telling me to enjoy the rest while I can. I fancied going swimming but my whole family freaked out in case it all starts when I'm in the pool. Hmmm.

gallicgirl · 20/07/2011 11:18

I would get a haircut and a pedicure or any other beauty treatments because you won't have any time afterwards!

Other than that I think I would say sleep well and eat well. I was really tired by that point so although I tried to get out and about, I don't think I went very far.

danio7 · 20/07/2011 21:31

I have completely taken your advice gallic I have booked a pedi and haircut for next week.

I am also going to cook on mass!!! the yoga dvd is going badly, I nearly popped it out today!!! eek! :)

OP posts:

TrinaLuciusMalfoy · 20/07/2011 22:32

One word: SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.

Take the opportunity now, while you still can!

bunnyfrance · 21/07/2011 07:14

Sleep.

That is all

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