Maternity leave.. what to do?

[MollyAllison]

Hello all!

Iv just started my maternity leave (took around a month of holidays then it starts) however I’m 34+1 (seems a bit odd to say that to be honest) and would like a little bit of advice or tips on how to make the time worthwhile until bubba gets here (due 2nd August)..

I am yet to wash everything for the big arrival so that’s something still to do however iv never had this much time off before and I know a lot of people say put your feet up have some time to relax you won’t get too do things like watch what you want on tv when he’s here etc, but I’m a little bit lost on what to fill my days up with?

Aside from the odd midwife appointment I haven’t gone to any classes so no point in trying that.. what did you all do?
I haven’t completed my hospital bag yet still a few bits to get which will then be finished in the next two weeks.

Any advice from fellow mums?
Thankyou! X

Why do you think there's no point going to classes? Go! Loads of people don't have time to go before mat leave starts so they will be quite used to new-starters who are 7 or 8 months pg. Do whatever aquanatal classes and prenatal yoga classes you can find. Even if the activity doesn't massively appeal they are great for making contact with other mums-to-be.

Go for walks around the neighbourhood looking out for things that may have never been relevant before but will be when you have a buggy - are there always dropped kerbs at road crossing points? Are there areas where everyone parks on the pavement and there isn't room for a buggy?

Batch-cook as many freezable meals as will fit in your freezer (if that's not many consider buying a second freezer if there is room for one somewhere)

If you like handicrafts then make things. Or write. Or draw. Or just find a comfy seat and read. You will not have this much leisure time again until the day you retire.

Cherish it because if you have a second dc mat leave is spent watching peppa pig and wistfully harking back to pre dc leave.

Yy to batch cooking. If you have a slow cooker make a big vat of something 3 times a week and tub it into 4. Freeze them and stack for post baby.

I didnt wash any baby clothes apart from hospital bag stuff as I wanted to be able to exchange if too small/was given duplicates.

My last day at work today, so I too am starting my maternity leave from next week (due 4th August) so I will be watching closely for tips also. I've been told by everyone to just relax and focus on myself for a bit as it's been a stressful and physically draining few weeks. Have you got a baby shower coming up? You could maybe meet with friends before you have your little one. I've done half my bag, need to do the other half.. And I've washed the clothes already so just a case of making sure the nursery is all ready (wash sheets etc). Have you got shopping left to do, as in any other baby bits to get? Best of luck!

FTM here and I finish work at 35 weeks as I have so annual leave to use up first. In those final weeks I am planning on decorating the nursery with my mum, wash babys clothes and pack my hodpital bag, cook some meals to freeze and just generally potter around and relax.

I find myself definitely slower in pregnancy so I think I will easily be able to fill the days doing things like cleaning and walking thr dog etc.

I only had 2 weeks before dd arrived and it was over Christmas, but this is what I did do / would do:

• enjoy long relaxing baths
• read books uninterrupted
• batch cook. Definitely this. Lots of this. You will need.
• binge on tv and films. Go to cinema.
• meet up with any friends also on leave and relax
• go to antenatal classes
• swimming is nice in late pregnancy
• take time with your partner to go out together and enjoy time together
• get your hair done
• do your pelvic floor exercises!

Enjoy it!

You could get ahead for any family birthdays that are coming up after your due date, so buying & wrapping presents, getting cards.

For me, I'd also go to the cinema a lot, and any art galleries/exhibitions that I fancied. Also just having a slow mooch around town, a nice market or whatever. Probably also do a craft project.

Look up NCT “bumps and babies” groups or coffee groups in your area. They are open to non-members and people who have yet had their babies too. Just make some contacts, get an awareness of the support on offer locally.

I spent mine mostly napping, catching up on some scrapbooking and going out for nice lunches with my husband. Definitely yes to batch cooking! (Or getting your mum to batch cook for you).

If you don’t already have them, set up Amazon Prime and grocery shopping accounts online.

Things I wish I had done more of because I'm really missing the freedom to do them now with a 4 month old:

Go to the cinema
Go for a nice relaxing swim (I take my baby but although it's lovely it's not the same as going on your own and actually being able to swim)
Go out for leisurely evening meals in non pram friendly places
Sleep! Every one told me to do this but I really wasn't that tired and I worked until 38+1. But now, now I understand

Things I did that I was so grateful for:

Batch cooking - lifesaver
Sorted out and tidied the house within an inch of its life.

A PP has a really good suggestion of scoping out the neighbourhood with how pram friendly it is. I never thought of doing this and felt really self conscious the first few times out with the pram as I wasn't sure.

Ooh ooh and yes get your hair done as close to baby arriving as you can!

Do whatever you want! Seriously, as someone else has already said you will not have this much leisure time again until you retire.

I know how you feel though, I went on ML at 33 weeks and saw 7 weeks (only 4 and a half in the end though) stretched out in front of me as if it was all the time in the world.

I stocked up on so much food that we were still eating it 6 months later. Including both batch cooked healthier stuff and also things like frozen veggie burgers and pizzas and a few ready meals, tins of soup etc. It’s worth it for when you have had a rough day/night and don’t want to leave the house.

I went to the gym during the day instead of in the evening.

I built the baby furniture.

Also spent a lot of time watching box sets whilst playing solitaire and eating cheese and biscuits. It was ace.

Don’t over think it and do too much, get used to the slower pace.

I went to a Bumps and Babes group a couple of times before the birth - I started mat leave at 36 weeks but had been on annual leave from 31.5 weeks. DD born at 38 weeks.

I found it really helpful to meet some other mums and babies before actually having my own baby - we chatted about induction and I got some useful advice in advance of my induction. And it meant it wasn't a completely strange environment to go into once I went to it with a baby.

Agree with all the previous suggestions of enjoy yourself, relax and sleep as much as possible!

The only other thing I'd add is try to keep doing gentle exercise for as long as possible - swimming, walking, pregnancy Pilates etc. And your pelvic floor exercises. This will really help you feel your best as you get into the physically most difficult last few weeks and then immediate post partum period. I didn't do anything but lie on my bum the first time and really regretted it post partum when my back was killing me for weeks.

Oh and one other suggestion if you plan to breastfeed.. look out the details of breastfeeding helplines and maybe even a private lactation consultant who will come and visit you. The first few weeks of breastfeeding can be tough and if you need help better that it comes from an expert. I paid for a visit from a LC after my second baby and it was one of the best things I did. Made a word of difference and probably the only reason I'm still bf at 5 months. You may not be thinking straight if you're sleep deprived and emotional hence why I'd suggest lining this up now!

Go out places and enjoy the freedom, go swimming, go for lunch, have a massage or a manicure, indulge.

Second all of the above lovely things that are a mission to do when you have a Child/toddler in tow. Also recommend buying in birthday cards/presents for friends/family upcoming over the next couple of months. I'm such a last minute person but this helped me in the early days! X

Bikerunski you are so right. When people ask me about the most important thing to have when a new baby arrives, I say Amazon Prime!

Definitely get your hair done! Basically do all of the things that will be more difficult to do once you have a newborn in tow. Cinema, lunch dates, just going and having a coffee and a mooch round the shops. It doesn't have to be 'worthy', just enjoy this time as you won't get it again.

I’ve just started mat leave. Very odd feeling. I’m lucky because my partner works from home so I’m not alone all day. We had a false alarm and thought the baby was coming last weekend. So slightly wasted the first week worrying I was going Into labour!

Settled now. Starting to get in to a routine. Get up. Breakfast. Shower. But if housework. Nice walk before lunch. Lunch. Read baby books pm. Life admin. Yoga. Dinner. Tv. Bed.

I’ve been doing a lot of clearing out and tidying/cleaning.

Meeting some friends next week for lunch now that fear of labour has gone.

I got a real shock when I thought I might give birth last week. I’m really glad I didn’t because I was totally exhausted. I’ve been working 40 hour weeks and only taken 5 days holiday all year. I know the first few months are going to be hard with the baby so I’m glad I will have a few weeks to recharge! It is hard to wind down though- especially when you are used to being busy all the time!

I've been on Mat Leave for a month and I love it, I sleep in, make myself something lovely for breakfast, if its sunny I will sit outside and read a baby book. I've been sorting out the nursery this last week. Sorting out the house doing all those jobs that have been on my list forever.

Have a leisurely lunch, potter in the garden, have an afternoon nap (you know practicing sleeping when the baby does). I've been decluttering and ebaying stuff I have meant to ebay for ages.

Doing yoga, walking the dog. Making things for the babies room eg. playmats, quilts, changing mat covers, crochet blankets, muslins.

NCT classes, shopping, seeing friends, Baking. Researching final baby purchases.

We've also had a lot of weekends away which has been brilliant.

I haven't bothered much with TV boxsets as its seems a bit of a waste of time as I can do that when the baby is here, I am focusing on the things that will be harder to do once the baby is here!

I LOVE maternity leave still have another 4 weeks to go!