On maternity leave now. Bored!!

[babyignoramus]

I'm officially on maternity leave now which is lovely, but somewhat boring. I am 37 weeks so I've got a way to go. My back hurts if I walk too far so I'm literally sitting with my feet up waiting for labour to start!

Anyone else in the same boat?

Not in the same boat - I have two DDs - one baby and one toddler with a gap just under two year.

Please, enjoy being bored! It's the last time that you will be bored for a very long time. Also, sleep a lot - lie-ins particularly, go for leisurely coffees in nice cafes, take long baths and read books.

I can completely relate to the "I am so uncomfortable, and can it just be over now please" feeling though. Hopeful note - my second was born just a few days after 37 weeks, so it might not be so long.

Are you CD's alphebetised, your books perfectly aranged on the book case, all your ironing done?

If so make the most of it as this is the last time you will live in perfect order for a long time.

Enjoy!

Not in the same boat. I've just gone back after a year's maternity leave and I'd give anything to have it all over again.

Really, just chill. Get as much sleep as you can - everyone told me this and I ignored it. I knew not what was coming! Order yourself lots of dvds/books. However you feed you will be spending a long time sitting around and it's good to have something to look at. Sort out meals for the days after birth. Organise anything you might need into some sort of order so you can ask DH/DP to get it and be able to tell him exactly where it is, whether you are in hospital or on the sofa. Declutter (calmly) if you need to. Babies bring shedloads of clutter and it will all fall on top of your head at some point!

Go out if you feel like it. Cinema, pub, meal anything. DD is nearly 13 months and we haven't set foot in a restaurant later than 5 o'clock.

But mostly just chill and take advantage of the peace and quiet, preferably in a long bach with lots of chocs

Have you spring-cleaned the house yet? Cleaned the oven, windows (inside and out), hoovered behind big furniture you don't usually move (sofa, fridge, bed etc), wiped down the skirting boards (gets baby into right position) etc etc.....? Sounds like hard work but just take one job a day and you'll get it all done.

Also stock up the freezer with ready-made meals for the first few weeks.

Then of course all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.... so after you've accomplished something treat yourself to that salon treatment/ meal out/ DVD/ long bath with chocolates.

Enjoy!

Also on maternity leave, only 35 weeks here so even longer to go. I have loads of things I could be doing, but don't seem to be able to get motivated. But did manage to squeeze in a long bath this morning and I think tomorrow will be spent wandering round the shops - probably not buying anything as I don't have the money but just to get out of the house.

And Friday my mum is coming round to help me clean and tidy the house - she is going to be my version of Mr Motivator. Then I think the weekend might be catching up on the TV programmes we managed to record over the last 6 months or so and not yet watched - with the hubby just enjoying some us time. Might try to follow some of the advice on here too, although I think it might have to do the things that cost the least - or do some cheaper alternatives.

I am 40 weeks today and finished at xmas, and have had a great time! I have slept in; read; watched some telly (but witout sky+ its pointless as daytime tv is truly truly dreadful); knitted a (really shit) blanket for lo; cooked and frozen stuff; met friends for lunch; done aquanatal classes....I live it!!

I sympathise with you saying walking is hard work but I think its a really good idea to get out every day even if its round the block. I went and fed the ducks today (but ened up fighting off the bloody seagulls) and definitely felt better for it.

Enjoy it!!

Can i just say, i was in your position last Nov. I thought "this is so boring, what am i meant to do". I was going insane! Everyone kept telling me to enjoy it etc and i got p'd off with hearing it.

HOWEVER - DD was born late Nov and believe me after 9 weeks of sleepless nights and hearing her crying and thinking "oh man, its 2am....not again!" you think "damn i wish i'd have enjoyed sitting and being bored more!"

I'm with you babyignoramus - although what makes it worse that I also have a DD 2.4 to look after. I feel really bad for saying it but I can also not get motivated to do anything. I'm even bored of my boredom. I try to take DD out once a day but get so fed up with the reading books / playing / crafting - I just want to be left alone. Although if I was left alone, no idea what I would be doing as I feel so bored I think I lost my brain.

I'm not one for depression or just hanging around but one look outside, 3 1/2 weeks to go and hello antenatal depression.

DH is back on Sunday though so I think I will disappear fot the day and have a massage or swimming pool session.

Thinking of you.

Babyignoramus - chill out, have massages, get haircut, go to the movies (lots - have only been 3 times since having DS nearly 3 years ago!), go see exhibitions etc you really want to see, read books you really want to read, enjoy lie ins and midafternoon naps and if you cook, get baking and cooking meals to freeze for when bubs arrives (as you will not be able to spend time doing any of this when the little one arrives...)

Now 38 weeks and on maternity leave for no 2 - with a 2.10 year old to run around after, have no chance at all to do any of the above and boy, do I miss it...

Just relax and enjoy yourself like everyone else has said. Bit of pampering, get your hair cut, read, watch dvds. I went on ML at 36 weeks. Thought I'd have aweek to chill and then a few weeks to do lunch, nesting etc. At 37 weeks I was admitted for unstable lie and polyhydramious (sp.) Now hospital REALLY IS boring. And the food is crap. Make the most of it, cos once baby arrives life is never the same again.

you are never going to have the time to be bored again!!!!!!!!!

try and do some things that you have been putting off and have lots of nice treatments done to yourself

I am pleased I used this time to:

• go for lots of long/ nice walks/ meals with dh
• finalise/ print birth plan
• pack the hospital bag properly
• create list of family/friends to be contacted after the birth
• create a folder of useful stuff eg. helplines/ local groups/ childcare options
• discuss postnatal depression with dh in case he saw signs I didn't

I personally regret not using this time to:

• read up properly on baby books

organise my home to be able to find stuff

• discussed difficult things with dh before post baby sleep deprivation kicked in
• do anything after 8pm eg. theatre/ top meal etc

im been signed off sick for FOUR months with pregnancy complications...now 32 weeks, and i was bored, but now have gotten into the swing of a slow life. I get around 11 hours sleep, get up 11am, have an hours bath reading in the bath.Check emails. Do a bit of personal admin (ie book to see a friend, open mail, pay bills), go for a little stroll. Have lunch, watch a film (subscribe to lovefilm.com to get unlimited cheap dvd's), have a friend over, then husband is home from work. Once you learn to slow down, you can start to quite enjoy it!

Im getting jealous of you EmmaPP!

High cityangel!

I agree enjoy it. However keep yourself amused - otherwise those last few weeks drag.
Is there an aquanatal class anywhere near you? It was the only place I felt comfortable was in the pool with lots of other fat ladies and I made loads of lasting friends.

Bored already?!!
I went on maternity leave at 37 weeks and LOVED it, had such a bad pregnancy that I just slept all the time!
Then my daughter came early at 38 weeks so luckily I finished earlier than I was meant to!
I love spending time with my daughter but got bored easily, if you dont enjoy it now youl be going mad by the end of it, I had 9 months off, finished in Dec and after all tht time I was hating just sitting in day in day out.
Just find things to do, I walked loads just to get me out the house and helped with the baby weight I also opened my own parent and child group as being a youngish mum (21) found it hard going to them alone.
Good Luck with everything x

Yes - do enjoy being at home! I read, watched telly, had a lie in , ate what I wanted - believe me (I am assuming this is your first child) - you will not get a lot of chance to do any of those things in 3 weeks time!