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AIBU?

To ask what you did on Maternity Leave pre-baby?

77 replies

WonderLime · 04/07/2017 10:51

I'm 38 weeks pregnant now and expecting him anytime. Officially I'm not on Mat Leave until due date but I had so annual leave to use, so now I'm sat at home feeling bored and useless.

I don't have any local friends (they would be working anyway) and my DP is working normal and I'm pretty much broke. Gym kit no longer fits me and I'm far too lazy to go to the gym at the moment.

I played some Xbox games yesterday but my patience is not what it used to be. I'm so bored I'm tempted to go into the office and work for free!

What did you do whilst waiting for labour?

OP posts:
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BiddyPop · 04/07/2017 13:17

Having spent a manic few weeks at the end of my work getting the rest of the office and others (a delegation of 45!!) ready for a massive international conference, I needed sleep firstly.

I had to do all my Christmas shopping as I had nothing done (work so manic I had no time to get out). And wrap everything.

I had a few medical appointments and still had a weekly pg yoga class. I managed to get one more swim in a public pool (oh the relief!!).

I did some cleaning and organizing and batch cooking. I read a book. I watched a small bit of tv.

The weather was pretty rubbish! But DH met me for lunch 1 day, and we went for a walk one afternoon that he took off (depths of winter so dark long before he finished work normally). And we ate proper dinners together - which could be hit and miss cos of both our work.

I certainly didn't come anywhere near to running out of things to do - I had great plans for tv watching and book reading and knitting and sewing and more cooking/baking and all sorts. And meeting up with friends/relatives too - all of which came to naught.

I went on leave at 38 weeks exactly (the day the rest of the delegation were in the air!! so not even cakes before I left....) and DD arrived at 40+1 (well, started arriving on 40, but went into the early hours of the following morning). I did get Christmas dinner before she started though!! Xmas Grin

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Cakescakescakes · 04/07/2017 13:28

Get baby stuff all washed and sorted
Do any jobs around the house that need done
Watch a box set
Lie in
Have a nap
Go for a coffee
Read books
Paint your nails
Batch cook for the freezer

And most importantly chill out. This is literally the last time for over a decade that you will be master of your ow time for any substantial period of time so just enjoy it!

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Goldenhandshake · 04/07/2017 13:30

First pregnancy I stopped work at 36 weeks and she was 9 days late so I had six weeks. At first I cleaned, washed all new baby clothes and kept wandering around babies room perfecting everything and shopping for more uneccessary shit. Watched lots of crap tv too and read loads. I was bored stiff within 2 to 3 weeks.

Second pregnancy I worked to 38 weeks, but again DC was 2 weeks late. This time I had DC1 so was doing school run and it was approaching a 2 week school hol so there were easter assemblies etc to attend. Whikst DC was at school though I did lots of cleaning again and relished some peace and quiet, I slept quite a lot too!

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Decaffstilltastesweird · 04/07/2017 13:31

Box sets for me too! I tried to get a decent walk in most days and used my Epi-No. I planned to do all the batch cooking for the freezer etc, but every time I made a batch of something, DH ate so much of it, there wasn't enough left to freeze!

Are there any pregnancy yoga classes near you op? That might be worth a go.

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Tazerface · 04/07/2017 13:34

Napped.
Read books.
Played Xbox.
Watched a lot of tv.

It was fucking great! I didn't nest, I'm too lazy Grin

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Mia1415 · 04/07/2017 13:37

I wrapped Christmas presents and desperately tried to buy all the things I'd need for Christmas (as I was having a C section so wouldn't be able to drive for 6 weeks). Obviously this is completely unhelpful to you as DS was born in December :-)

I also went to see Robbie Williams and Peter Andre in concert and worried all those I was standing near that I was going to go into labour any second.

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DeleteOrDecay · 04/07/2017 14:12

It was a while ago now but I slept, cleaned, played video games, watched films, washed all pfb's clothes, bedding etc. Made lists and made sure we had enough of everything. Popped to the shops and occasionally did simple errands for family members.

Lots of little things really that filled up the time more than I expected.

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LoveCakesandWine · 04/07/2017 14:44

Forgot to say begin looking into childcare. One of the nurseries next to me had a 12 month wait list!

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fruityb · 04/07/2017 14:53

Ditto childcare - I had Ds sorted with a childminder by the time he was 12 weeks. Get the feelers out!

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Gre8scott · 04/07/2017 14:59

I didnt get any maternity leave pre baby i left work on the friday and spent the monday and tues in doctors and mat unit until i was taken in to the big maternity hospital to be delivered quickly as i was becoming unwell.i would havesaton mybig band slept andwatchedtv and drank hot cups of tea and my dinnerwithtwo hands and read books pre baby maternityleave. Well i probably wouldnt i should have you haveno idea how things are going to change seriously embrace the timexxx

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Wumpychoo · 04/07/2017 15:02

I chilled out, popped to the shops/library. Went out with a friend on mat leave and retired parents. Invited retired family over. Napped.

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Me264 · 04/07/2017 15:03

I watched some box sets.
Went for a walk every day.
Met friends for lunch who were also on mat leave.
Met my mum for lunch.
Spent a lot of time on my hands and knees hoping to turn my back to back baby (it didn't work!)

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wendz86 · 04/07/2017 15:06

Went to the cinema, cleaned, sat with my feet up reading a book, watched tv box sets.

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BentleyBelly · 04/07/2017 15:07

Relaxed...it was lovely. I miss being able to just do nothing without any guilt! I am quite a lazy person though Grin

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Potplant · 04/07/2017 15:09

I only had a week as I was taken in earlier than planned.
I had to go to the docs to have blood pressure taken every morning
Then I'd go to mums for a cup of tea
GO home have lunch
Snooze my way through whatever made for tv film was on channel 5
Rise from the sofa about 10 minutes before H was due home Tonstart dinner, then let him takeover whilst I 'put my feet up'.

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theculture · 04/07/2017 15:20

Watched the Tour de France (jealous of you being off now!)

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notfromstepford · 04/07/2017 15:26

I planned to have 2 weeks off before each of mine were due - both were delivered early so it was a case of go in for a scan, yep you're staying in and we're delivering the baby tomorrow. I had so much planned along the lines of reading, watching TV and sleeping mostly!

Enjoy your time off for yourself Envy Grin

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sarebear1983 · 04/07/2017 16:36

I hooked my SNES up and relived my childhood.
Watched lots of films, especially making a point of watching all the Harry Potter films.
Batch cooked loads of stuff for the freezer which has proved massively useful! Stuff like Lasagne, fish pie, meatballs and tomato sauce, sausage casserole etc.
Had a couple of pre-natal massages and spa type treats, which were so lovely and relaxing.
Even getting out to a little cafe etc, things that seem normal at the time but can turn into a military operation post baby!

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Onetedisbackinbed · 04/07/2017 16:46

Went to cinema on my own in the middle of the day. Loved it. Ben &Jerry's and the auditorium to myself

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ElleyBear13 · 04/07/2017 17:31

Awww I miss being pregnant with my first - ds is now 22 months and I wish I spent more time resting instead of cleaning! Read books, go to the cinema, have lazy baths in the middle of the day treat yourself to a hot drink in one of those small posh coffee shops or go one better have afternoon tea (once baby is walking- you can't really visit these places!) try and see if there's any nct bumps and baby groups too 😄 Go shopping alone even if it's just a browse! Take lots of Pics of your bump -I spent the majority of my Mat leave on a bouncing ball and getting impatiently excited! Good luck x

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Binkybix · 04/07/2017 17:43

Oh god it was a golden era. Swimming in the gym in the day so got the pool to myself, TV, napping, reading, seeing friends.

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megletthesecond · 04/07/2017 17:55

The one thing I wish I had done was check out the baby groups in advance. Would have been helpful to have a list of what's on on what day. Much easier to do research without big sleep deprived!

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Belindarocks · 04/07/2017 18:02

Did a huge welcome baby cross stitch. Took ages and very relaxing. Doing another one for a friend now.

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Ratonastick · 04/07/2017 18:06

I had a 4 week wait, little sod never has been on time for anything! I started with serious nesting, went through a bit pile of movies and TV, bit more nesting and freezer cooking and finally a lot of uncomfortable bumpy car rides to curry houses and endless raspberry leaf tea.........

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thatstoast · 04/07/2017 18:09

played gtaV and got 98% completion

Lots of batch cooking and cleaning and shit like that

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