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Original poster

Early maternity leave, bored with SPD/PGP

14 replies

ndavies22 · 07/12/2023 17:07

Hey everyone,

So I've had to leave work early due to quite severe SPD/PGP. I'm currently only able to walk with the use of a walking stick that the physio, and even then I am in agony! BUT, I am already getting a bit bored. Does anyone have any tips of things to do in maternity leave before baby comes, that don't necessarily include long walks 😩 thank you ☺️

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Historybooks · 07/12/2023 17:12

Sorry you're in pain, that's sad.

Remember once baby comes there won't be hobby time.

I suggest you try to enjoy it.

  • read good books including parenting books that appeal
  • watch good films
  • use peanut apps to meet other expectant mothers. Could you meet them?
  • any hobbies, try drawing, painting. Pregnancy makes you more creative
  • arrange nursery if you'll need it at all, waiting lists are long
  • get all life admin in order
  • have a clear out to make space for baby. If you aren't physically able - plan it
  • phone family
  • anything you'll want to teach your child? Nows a time to learn it - could be phone flashcards, books, open uni courses
  • pelvic floor exercises
  • gentle stretches if allowed
Original poster
ndavies22 · 07/12/2023 17:21

Historybooks · 07/12/2023 17:12

Sorry you're in pain, that's sad.

Remember once baby comes there won't be hobby time.

I suggest you try to enjoy it.

  • read good books including parenting books that appeal
  • watch good films
  • use peanut apps to meet other expectant mothers. Could you meet them?
  • any hobbies, try drawing, painting. Pregnancy makes you more creative
  • arrange nursery if you'll need it at all, waiting lists are long
  • get all life admin in order
  • have a clear out to make space for baby. If you aren't physically able - plan it
  • phone family
  • anything you'll want to teach your child? Nows a time to learn it - could be phone flashcards, books, open uni courses
  • pelvic floor exercises
  • gentle stretches if allowed

Thank you @Historybooks these are all great ideas. I'm a bit of a home body by nature but I think encouraging myself to get out as much as my pain allows will be good for me. Perhaps I'll take up a craft as well, I used to knit so I could pick up my needles again ☺️

OP posts:
GreatGateauxsby · 07/12/2023 17:25

I did

  • Puzzles
  • wills (I know! But it's important)
  • life insurance
  • small cross stitch
  • painting by numbers
  • research (baby classes, nurserys etc)
Original poster
ndavies22 · 07/12/2023 17:28

GreatGateauxsby · 07/12/2023 17:25

I did

  • Puzzles
  • wills (I know! But it's important)
  • life insurance
  • small cross stitch
  • painting by numbers
  • research (baby classes, nurserys etc)

@GreatGateauxsby I hadn't thought about wills etc, really good idea. I've never tried cross stitch before so I'll definitely give that a go ☺️

OP posts:
dullandgrey · 07/12/2023 17:34

I've been on early maternity leave also. I've been reading lots of books, finally got back into reading since having dc1 3 years ago. I've organised, cleaned and declutterred the house, made space for new babies stuff. Met friends for coffee during the day, spent time visiting my parents more than usual, watching series and movies on Netflix and I've also been having lots of daytime naps! My last maternity was during lockdown so very different this time.

Original poster
ndavies22 · 07/12/2023 17:37

dullandgrey · 07/12/2023 17:34

I've been on early maternity leave also. I've been reading lots of books, finally got back into reading since having dc1 3 years ago. I've organised, cleaned and declutterred the house, made space for new babies stuff. Met friends for coffee during the day, spent time visiting my parents more than usual, watching series and movies on Netflix and I've also been having lots of daytime naps! My last maternity was during lockdown so very different this time.

@dullandgrey visiting my parents more is a good idea, my mum is retired so she's got loads of time now to feed me cups of tea and biscuits 😂 I have a 14yo as well, and I worked right up until I dropped with him so I feel very much at a loose end!

OP posts:
Porridgeislife · 07/12/2023 17:41

Do you have an Everyman cinema nearby? Go to their daytime screenings and order cake and a hot drink.

Self care - get your hair done, nails done, any waxing etc. Life admin too. I did things like prepay the green garden waste bin and anything else coming up in the first six months after birth.

Take yourself out for a coffee and cake and a good book

Getting your will sorted out is a good idea, we did ours just after the baby arrived.

Original poster
ndavies22 · 07/12/2023 17:43

Porridgeislife · 07/12/2023 17:41

Do you have an Everyman cinema nearby? Go to their daytime screenings and order cake and a hot drink.

Self care - get your hair done, nails done, any waxing etc. Life admin too. I did things like prepay the green garden waste bin and anything else coming up in the first six months after birth.

Take yourself out for a coffee and cake and a good book

Getting your will sorted out is a good idea, we did ours just after the baby arrived.

@Porridgeislife we don't have an Everyman near to me, but I know our local theatre show matinee showings of movies and have a lovely coffee shop too, that's a fab idea!

OP posts:
jellybe · 07/12/2023 17:48

I had this with my youngest went off t 32 weeks was soooo bored. I managed to read a fair bit and had people come and visit me at home to keep me entertained managed to get some sewing finished and watched a lot of box sets. However it sucked and the pain made me really miserable.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 07/12/2023 19:28

Do you like audio books? It’s quite nice to just lie and listen to one.

SnapdragonToadflax · 07/12/2023 19:33

I'm really sorry you're suffering, I had this and it makes everything so difficult.

I would recommend getting everything in the house as sorted as possible, because you won't have time soon. So clear out and organise all the cupboards, get rid of that box from when you last moved house, have a wardrobe clear out, clean windows and under sofas (if you can).

Otherwise, enjoy only being responsible for yourself!

LavenderSweetPea · 07/12/2023 19:37

I'd like to learn baby sign language before baby arrives. Could be a fun activity for you :)

HiCandles · 07/12/2023 19:50

How pregnant are you?
Once 37 weeks - colostrum harvesting and perineal massage.
At any time - pilates/yoga. I really like Pregnancy and Postpartum TV channel on YouTube, can't remember her name but she has loads of videos for every stage of pregnancy. That's if the PGP allows! I am suffering at the moment too.
Crafts- cross stitch is easy to pick up with a kit.

Whataretheodds · 07/12/2023 20:43

Can you go swimming? My midwife raved about flotation tanks

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