What to do on mat leave before baby arrives?!

[fl0b0t]

Hi all
I've got 4 days left of work and am getting a bit worried about what people DO on maternity leave before their baby comes? I have a feeling my baby will be late- it's due 17th Sept and I finish work this coming Thursday.

I'm a pretty active person (thought getting more tired and swollen by the second) and worried about being bored- especially if baby is very late! Obviously I know that I'll be slowing down anyway, and that once I've pottered about the house and watched a bit of telly that will be time killed, but I'm so used to doing stuff!

So far my list includes:
-do hypnobirthing (try it)
-library
-swim/walk/cycle (one a day if I can)
-touch up paintwork around the house
-cook & freeze meals
-photography and art
-Bumps & Babies groups

I have already packed hosp bag (had a couple of trips away so had to be prepared), baby room is finished and I think we're pretty much prepared. I do have a few friends with children I can meet up with too.

Anyone got any bright ideas?

(ps I know that relaxing and enjoying my last few weeks of being just a person, not a mummy is really key too)

thanks :-)

[fl0b0t]

I'll definitely have a think about work stuff- though my funding currently continues to March 2015 (I work for a charity) so I feel pretty confident! :)

Good idea about the mummy friends- I'm working on being a bit too forwards with all new mummy-to-be friends I meet!

[shufflehopstep]

Sleep.

Wake up.

Eat.

Go back to sleep.

[Crocky]

You say you can't sleep because of discomfort but it may be that you can manage short naps easier when you are no longer working. So make sure that you give yourself some time each day just to relax and breathe and do not a lot.

[hooochycoo]

oh and if you want to breastfeed, read up as much as you can before. I was amazed after my first baby that noone ad told me to stop worrying and 'the birth' and 'the stuff' and start learning about breastfeeding. pretty much as soon as your baby is in your arms it all becomes about breastfeeding constantly and there's unfortunately not much good support in the nhs unless you are lucky. i'd reccomend having a good read of kellymom and a look at around this site and at these videos and find out where your nearest breastfeeding clinic, breastfeeding support group and lactation clinic is. That way if you are one of the unlucky ones who encounters problems, you will have some knowledge and be empowered to seek correct information and support when you are sleep deprived, in pain, hormonal and desperate. Not setting you up to fail here, you may encounter no problems: i didn't first time round. but if you are unfortunate enough to need help, prior knowledge is power.

[shufflehopstep]

Definitely have a haircut - you want to look OK without too much effort if you're in the hundreds of photos that people want to take of the baby.

Just enjoy doing ordinary things like nipping out in the car to get something from the shop; having a quiet read; sitting in the garden.

Good luck

[sleepcrisis]

I had a few sessions of acupuncture in those last couple of weeks. I wholeheartedly recommend it. And then when you go overdue get them to try and get baby moving! It was unbelievably relaxing.

[kiwik]

I didn't have any with DC1. Left work on the Friday expecting two nice lazy weeks of maternity leave, and instead gave birth on Saturday morning.
No time to laze about with DC2, as DC1 was still a toddler.
DC3 was prem, so I was still working when I had him, and DH had to phone work to tell them I wouldn't be back for a while.
I'm finishing at 6 months this time, and keeping the nanny on, so I can have some time to myself. So looking forward to it!

[cuppateaanyone]

I spent a lot of time worrying about things I couldn't control like the birth etc. I wish I had spent those last weeks seeing more friends, dinner with my husband, reading books, a pedicure and sorting out online grocery shopping....the haircut is a v. Good idea.

[fl0b0t]

cuppatea that's a shame :( Got lots of things on my list now!

Day one of maternity leave was today. I had a lie in, then washed up (slovenly housewife didn't do it last night!), then sent a few admin-y emails before having a visit from a friend. I took him out cycling to show him how to get to the forest (and left him there to have a ride... not in a weird "left him in the woods alone" kind of way) and came back. I'm now chilling out before considering reading Hypnobirthing and planning to meet with some mumsnet friends next week :)

[lucamom]

Pinterest is your friend here-cuppa, feet up, laptop/iPad on.

[Repeatedlydoingthetwist]

I watched Pointless and Take That DVDs.

[forevergreek]

Also think of things you really like to do now, and research how you might be able to do them with baby

Ie: dh and myself both like running. So I spent about 2 weeks ( way too long!) researching running buggys/ trailers/ devices etc to use once baby was 6 months.
We also swam lots so I found out which pools locally were the warmest and we started going there with baby once born. One swims, one stays with baby in pool/ change and then swap over.

Both of these have been key for us and we still do now 3 1/2 years later, with ds1, and now ds2 also. ( although had to upgrade to a double jogger after all!)

[forevergreek]

So from your last post, maybe look up baby seats for bike!

[fl0b0t]

Forevergeek some v good ideas. What I end up buying for baby on bike does depend a little on finances as I'd like to buy a new bike :-) Clearly don't have enough already!