Maternity Leave - What to do?

[LizzyAnna99]

Hi all. 34 weeks pregnant today and it’s my last day at work tomorrow.

What did you all do on maternity leave before baby came? I have all his stuff washed, need to clean the travel system, adjust Snuzpod, build cot, clean my car, make some freezer meals, random stuff...

People say relax but prior to now I was working full time, at college full time, and renovating my house haha. I cannot relax!!

What did you do on mat leave that you’re glad about?

Maybe prep some meals that you can freeze. I did that and found it was really useful to be able to make home made meals quickly when the baby was here.

Maybe catch up with some friends (in the garden obvs) that might be hard to see after you have the baby.

Batch cook and sleep!

Honestly, as soon as mat leave starts, it is like time stands still. I would do the jobs whenever you like, then be prepared to do them again to pass the time until baby makes an appearance. My mat leave started at 34 weeks and baby had to be evicted at 42 weeks. The nursery was rearranged probably weekly!

The thing I am most glad I did was read and nap. Oh I miss that now!

Spent a lot of time cleaning too.

I agree with reading and napping. You cannot do either of these things with a baby that refuses to let you put it down!

Is there anything you can make? Craft projects for Christmas or birthdays?

I wish I'd done some hypnobirth prep. I thought it was all rubbish and I'd just get through labour but in retrospect I think anything to help keep me calm would have been good. I'll be doing it if we have another.

Batch cook (so useful for the first few weeks), binge watch box sets and read books. All things I struggle to find the time to do now.

I worked up to the day before my date and went into labour on my due date! I did get a day of baby shopping in and got the car cleaned inside and out which I'm so glad I did.

However, if I had some time, I would have organised the house more, batch cooked, read lots, gentle exercise, pregnancy yoga, watched some box sets, more hypnobirthing reading, cooked and eaten lots of lovely healthy food. And probably some nice (early!) evenings and days out with friends/DP and days mooching around shops - although that's not much help at the moment!

Is this your first? If so, I would focus on doing things for yourself. Nap all the time, lie in until midday, enjoy hot cups of tea, read good books etc. All of that becomes so much harder

Relax and pamper yourself, have lie ins, read, watch box sets and just generally try and slow down a bit.

Practical things I wish I would have had the time for, clean the house, clean the inside of my car, prep some meals, put together a changing caddy for downstairs, and buy birthday cards for the next few months all ready to go.

Sleep!!!
Batch cook meals.

I gave up work on Friday just gone, due date was Saturday, no baby. I have made lots of loaves for the freezer, easy cook dinners. Already got an almost 2 year old so been spending more time with her. And lots of walks round the block! You'll want lots of (one handed) snacks for post-birth so you could make those too. I've also done some colouring in!

I bought all the cards and presents for birthdays/anniversaries etc that were happening over the next 3 months. Have done the same thing with cards this time round and starting to buy the presents.

I also had my hair cut, got my eyes tested and went to the dentist for a check up so I didn’t have to do it with a newborn.

Plus found information about local breastfeeding support groups and where to go for various baby groups.

As well as lots of sleeping and watching box sets and snacking!

Thanks everyone :) I would’ve worked until sooner but I can’t take annual leave at the other end. It’s my first baby! I suffer with rubbish mental health so I like the idea of having a bunch of stuff to do haha. Still 6 weeks to go until I’m full term, and so much to do! 🤣

As a mother you will never ever truly relax. Even when they are away for the weekend, gone to a sleepover, start school, go to university or buy their first house and move out, you will never be absolutely free to relax and enjoy your freetime without your children as you will always be worrying if they are ok. Trust me!! Just relax and enjoy the feeling of nothing to do!!