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Pregnancy

Things to do while waiting...

25 replies

Rpj16 · 13/01/2016 13:04

Due Monday. Probably going to be late. Have one day full of energy, one day shattered, in this order, its pretty consistent! Also on Maternity leave.
I share my car with my DP, and stuck out in the sticks with a rare bus service. So heres my current schedule.

  • Check Mumsnet, ravellry (even though still unsure how it all works) and fb.


  • Make cups of tea.


  • Talk to/play with the cat.


  • Organise/wash baby clothes.


  • Wash up.


  • Knit things, even though I think I have CTS (oowwww)


  • Deep clean house.


  • Think about organising my clothes and look at things that will fit again soon (so exciting!)


  • Go internet window shopping and regret switching to a very low paid job before becoming pregnant and now being skint (ha)


  • Make plans with friends on and around my due date - I'm very unlucky with timings, If I make my due date an inconvenient time for me to go into labour, its more likely to happen!


-reorganise baby clothes and try to make a pile of horrible stuff that has been handed down to me that is hideous, but feel too bad to throw out/re-donate..

  • Prepare creative weird meals for DP using leftover tins etc.


  • Plan a cheese, pate, cured meats and wine party for after baby is born.


  • Talk to my mum on phone several times


This is probably TMI and pointless thread, but it can be added to my list of boring things I do while waiting.

Anybody doing anything really exciting on their mat leave?
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MaisieDotes · 13/01/2016 13:10

Hi OP, I'm due on the 27th and am already bored and suffering from cabin-fever. I have two older DC so they keep me busy up to a point.

I can't walk far atm and lifting DS in and out of the car is killing me right now, so I'm spending a lot of time indoors.

So no suggestions really, just sympathy.

Oh- one thing. Charity shop the hand-me-down stuff you don't like. If you don't like it now there's no chance you'll end up putting it on your baby so donate it now and let someone else use it. Just make sure whoever gave it to you isn't expecting it back first!

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Rpj16 · 13/01/2016 13:17

Aaaw poor thing! Hope you getting by ok. Light at end of tunnel.

Its remarkable some of the things that are handed down. Some stuff is lush tho! I guess I'm thinking to hang on to bits as 'spares'. I will charity shop stuff that doesn't get used.

Theres a shop near by that buys 2nd hand clothes, does them up and they sell them, its so cute and cheap.

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Junosmum · 13/01/2016 13:35

Sleep, please sleep. If only so I can sleep vicariously. I kept saying "I'll just...(iron/ wash/ deep clean/ repack bag/ batch cook/ organise the loft) and tomorrow I'll rest and have a lie in" baby came before tomorrow ever did! I was too exhausted for labour!

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honeysucklejasmine · 13/01/2016 13:39

I'm only 34 weeks and already on mat leave (nature of my work) and I am soooo bored!

I am doing some knitting etc but I am v tired and seem to gave woken up very snotty so my face hurts. Must pop out to pharmacy for drugs.

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goodbyeyellowbrickroad · 13/01/2016 13:42

Definitely sleep! If you like going to the cinema go now. I've been 3 times I think since DS was born 3 years ago. If there's a book you've been meaning to read get reading it now.

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KipT77 · 13/01/2016 13:43

I'm due on the 22nd with no2 (Dc1 staying at childcare part of the week) and I peaked a bit early with my list of STUFF THAT NEEDS DOING so I am now also upping the mumsnet/cups of tea/Netflix. DC1 was early so I'm already getting a bit bored waiting.

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Luckystar1 · 13/01/2016 13:53

Get your keys, walk out of the house, just like that, get in the car, just like that - drive anywhere. Enjoy the following: 1) no putting baby into car seat 2) no lugging that bloody car seat and baby bag to the car 3) no screaming (sometimes starts when you are just trying to get baby into seat) 4) driving without worrying that a) they'll fall asleep 1 nano second before arriving at your destination or b) they won't sleep until 1 nano second before arriving at your destination (there's a subtle but very distinct difference) 5) park and not worry about someone parking so close you won't get the baby seat back into the car 6) go to a shop that you will never be able to get a pram around, and even if you can, the baby will probably start screaming requiring immediate evacuation 7) even better - drive to the cinema, watch movies all day 8) get in the car with your DH, and don't sing nursery rhymes

I can't tell you how much your life is going to change, but believe me it will. So, so unbelievably. My DS was over 1 before my DH and I were in a car, alone together. My DH and I have not been in the house alone ever since his birth (15 months) - it's not bad, it's just so unbelievably different.

Good luck, and honestly, I would give quite a lot to have those last few weeks of freedom back (even though I was crippled with SPD)

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oneconfusedchick · 13/01/2016 13:59

Haha OP your post made me chuckle:) I'm due 26th Jan and a bit similar although it's amazing how things are different when you have another child/children already. I only have Tuesday and Wed mornings on my own other times I have a noisy toddler to distract me! With my first I did a lot of what you said - this morning I slept until I had to get DS to nursery. I used to watch films sometimes when on maternity leave with DS. Can't really do that now unless it's a kids film! I feel so unprepared this time have not even packed a hospital bag - I did some cleaning yesterday though but nothing major. Am definitely making the most of getting sleep when I can and having the house to myself a bit. Xx

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Rpj16 · 13/01/2016 14:05

I love your list Lucky. I think a cinema day is a good call. Also trying to make the most of sleep now too! Think its one of those things, I'm expecting change, but I asked DP, do you feel you are ready and know whats coming? and he said 'no' and I said 'me neither'. This was light-hearted by the way - we are both excited.

kip I'm watching a lot of Netflix too. Californication with the windows open , just hope my neighbours aren't being nosey and spying on me, haha.

I stopped at 34 weeks too, due to emotional and physical aspect of job! Been a bit bored sometimes, but not enough to want to go back to work, I really prefer not working to working! ;)

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MaisieDotes · 13/01/2016 17:12

Grin at your car seat/ baby in car tribulations lucky. I can relate.

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Runningupthathill82 · 13/01/2016 17:24

Can we swap, please please please?! I'm running round after a very demanding toddler and I'm so tired I could cry.
It's a far cry from my first maternity leave when I could read, watch box sets, have long baths and get the baby's room ready. This baby won't even have a room....!

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oneconfusedchick · 13/01/2016 18:44

I agree running !! It seems like such a long time away that I was on MAT leave with First child. I was heavily pregnant and on Mat in summer which was hard in some ways but I used to go on some lovely walks, do my pregnancy exercise dvd, bounce on my ball... Saying that the time did drag though x

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Everythinggettingbigger · 14/01/2016 16:08

Not long to go Rpj!

Lucky that made me laugh, it is so true about the whole car situation! I pick my son up on my way home from work, only one day a week, the rest of the week DP gets him, and some weeks I honestly want to cry at the thought of getting him in and out the car and he's 5!! he climbs in himself all I do is strap him in!

I would say sleep too! I was in uni when expecting my first and quit (was forced to leave/unfair dismissal kind of thing Blush) my job at 13 weeks but was really lucky due to being at home with parents and DP working full time. I did get really bored but I just went for lots of visits to family/friends etc and slept.....obsessively packed and repacked hospital bags, watched hours of TLC Bringing Baby Home (don't think its on anymore?) packed and repacked....ironed baby clothes.....packed and repacked etc.

I am only 21 weeks at the min but already looking forward to finishing at 36 weeks! (I work 40 hours a week now Sad) so I am trying to hang off decorating/putting baby clothes away etc so I have something to do while I'm off and my DS1 is at school.....but my organisational need is telling me this isn't going to happen!

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Rpj16 · 14/01/2016 17:07

We got round to installing the car seat just now. What a palava. My car doesn't even has isofix points, so we have to do it the old fashioned way. Tried strapping a teddy in! Took us a while but we got it, I can imagine its going to be very very difficult to begin with first times round with a new born. Practice!

I do quite enjoy being on maternity leave and faffing about the house. No need to get out of pjs! less washing! ;) An excuse to be lazy.

OMGeverything -why did you have to leave your job? Did you appeal it? I was thinking I'd love to go back to uni after baby instead of going back to work after mat leave. As a mature student (27 considered mature? lol) ...I'm rambleing on...

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Everythinggettingbigger · 15/01/2016 08:56

it was only an off license, I was basically getting warnings for not coming into shifts etc when I had been in, got a written letter saying I was on my last warning so I handed my notice in. If I hadn't have handed it in I would have been sacked simple as, they didn't want to have to pay me on maternity leave!

I had already done 2 years in uni, finished the second year in the May had him in November and went back the following September, then had another 2 years in uni! the tutors were great and so understanding, it was hard and I did loose interest compared to the first 2 years....but ive now been at my job which I can thank my degree for, for nearly 3 years :) (im 26 by the way, I was like a baby on my course at 22....most of them were much older (construction)) Go for it I say!

I can't wait to faff Grin

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MausenHausen · 15/01/2016 10:06

Feed the hubby! lolololo!xx

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Artandco · 15/01/2016 10:18

These would be my suggestions

  1. sort your clothes out. Any you don't like just charity. Will save doing later and give room for any other stuff

  2. cinema evening together. As Look up local cinemas that do baby viewings also, many do morning viewings With baby under 1 year. The lights are left on dim and not quite as loud. But great as can just feed baby and watch films whilst on maternity.

  3. look up other local stuff you can pass time with, with baby. Museums are great as can walk baby around in sling or pram in dry and warm if they are fussy and wet outside. See when any groups are open/ swimming times/ local park buggy fit classes etc.

  4. look up potential places for babysitters. It's good to know where to look when you need one as never know how last minute it can be

  5. look up childcare for after maternity if needed

  6. make a comfy area in bedroom for night feeds. I filled drawer next to bed with snacks and mini water bottles and kindle

  7. oh if you have a kindle fill it with loads of books for feeding entertainment. If no kindle look in charity shops or look on Amazon for second hand cheap ones, or swap with friends.

  8. look up online food shopping if you don't do already
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SomebodySedateMe · 15/01/2016 11:13

Loving all of these suggestions as I'm already losing my mind with 3 weeks left to go.

I'd planned to have a walk around the shops today but that one is out of the window. I really don't need to fall over.

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SunnyL · 15/01/2016 11:36

I filled my freezer with lots of meals since i didn't think we'd be cooking much after. Wish I'd also filled it with chocolate cookies though!

I also walked the dog quite a bit since I felt guilty she'd be neglected after.

I went to the library and swimming quite a bit too.

Best bit for me was it was summer so i napped on a picnic blanket in the garden and was brown as a nut.

I'm due in March and I'm planning cinema trips, a pedicure, box sets and batch cooking for the days DD is at nursery

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PennyHasNoSurname · 15/01/2016 11:39

I discovered Pinterest. Its a total time suck and I love it.

I also napped a lot.

Enjoy these last few peaceful days!

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Georgeofthejungle · 15/01/2016 11:43

OP have you tried memorising the order of your preferred day time TV programmes? That can kill a little bit of time.

Mine is undercover boss, four in a bed, anything I've recorder from the night before. Then maybe I will do some stuff around the house but back in time for tipping point and the chase. By then my OH is home Grin

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mrsjskelton · 15/01/2016 17:00

Due Tuesday! Good luck!

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Rpj16 · 16/01/2016 18:52

I should do that George. Undercover boss is my guilty pleasure actually. haha. Keep thinking about re-vacuuming, but something always gets in the way...sleep/food/tv ;)

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unimaginativename13 · 16/01/2016 19:06

Go to the cinema.

Look up baby groups that may interest you- the popular ones got booked up, and I started going when DS was 2 weeks old (been out of hospital for a week)

Make reminders in your calendar when you need to book the stuff you want to do as you'll never remember.

Go out for dinner 'the last supper'

Take one task everyday. Include washing hair.

Set record buttons for everything so you have stuff to catch up on if you have a sleepy newborn.

Suss out a bf support group - you can go when pregnant- if you plan to do so.

Make sure someone has spare keys should you need too.

Look up colostrum harvesting for fun if you need to.

Put spare clothes somewhere in the house that you may need if you stay in hospital longer than thought.

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Georgeofthejungle · 17/01/2016 23:36

Rpj - it's especially time consuming as you have to watch all the programmes to know which ones you like and then you have to watch them a few times to get the order right. Quite technical really. Grin

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