How active were you at 38-39 weeks pregnant?

[RavensNest]

I realise it must be tough for those with young children. This is my first baby and I'm 38 weeks today. 1 more week to go before planned CS.

I'm wondering if I'm doing too much or too little and what the norm is at this stage? I feel exhausted after doing an hour of household chores, but expect this is normal. If you didn't have other DC to look after, what did you do with yourself first those last couple of weeks before the birth?

Went on mat leave at 38 weeks, DD didn't arrive til 40+12, every day til she arrived I walked the dogs twice a day, spent a fair bit of time lounging on the sofa but also went shopping, visited friends, went out for meals. Basically carried on as normal without the working.

With your first just enjoy it. I worked til 36 weeks (quite a physical job). I spent my mat leave going for slow walks, napping and having nice baths, with bursts of cleaning when I had energy.

Second time I had a toddler in the full throes of terrible twos. I worked til 36 weeks again but wished I'd stayed longer as it was far less tiring being at work!

I worked until 38 weeks then spent the next two weeks batch cooking, exercising, napping, going to the cinema and out for dinner. I was a bit uncomfortable at times (especially when I was in early labour in the cinema and thought I was just a bit achy!) but kept pretty active. Removing the commute/sitting at a desk made a huge difference.

As others have said, for baby 1, spend the time doing the things you most enjoy and don't feel at all guilty about it.

Well, I had my first at 37 weeks so by then I had a 2 week old. But generally with both of mine I was doing some work up until almost the end (but no longer commuting).

Then I was taking probably a 3 mile walk most days, yoga once a week and swimming usually twice a week as well. I felt really sore if I wasn’t active regularly. And the 2nd time around I had a 4 year old and the school run and homework to do.

Really though if you aren’t working, sit down and rest, if you’re tired. Your partner can help with everything later. Now is the time when you should be storing up energy especially if you’ll have a CS to recover from.