Without a doubt, the last two weeks of pregnancy is tough.
It’s really easy to get it into your head that when you hit the last month,
that tiny little treasure will arrive straight away and on time. Every day I
see customers on their due dates, wandering around not knowing what to do with
themselves, no doubt thinking, “Is today the day”. And naturally, every time
they experience a slight contraction they’re so sure they’re in labour, because
today is the day.
Of course, I have complete amnesia from my last pregnancy so
I can’t possibly remember how I felt at this point. Nevertheless, I have come
up with a few survival tips to (hopefully) keep you going through the last few
weeks of pregnancy:
• Don’t stop
working – a little distraction will make the days go faster, and it means you
won’t eat into your maternity leave.
• Prepare the
birth announcement. Figure out the design, what it’s going to say and have it
ready to go when the baby’s born (moo.com is perfect for quick and affordable
prints). Address the letters, ready for postage, and give yourself a big old
pat on the back when it’s all done. A sleep-deprived new parent doesn’t want to
be doing this once the baby arrives.
• Make sure
the baby’s room and newborn supplies are ready (Tip: you’ll need more than 10
nappies … a lot more – babies generally go through 10 a day!).
• Stock up
the freezer because there isn’t going to be much time to shop once the baby’s
here.
• Indulge!
This is your last chance before you’ll almost certainly be starting your post-baby
weight loss regime. So if you have any cravings, pack them in ladies!
• Take a
breastfeeding class. If you’re feeling under-prepared, solve the problem and
take a class in whatever area you feel deficient. I promise you, you’ll feel
much more confident and secure as a result.
• Buy a baby
journal. Mamissima sells lovely journals with lots of space for pictures and
recording special memories and feelings. Visit www.mamisima.co.uk.
• Write a
letter to your baby, saying anything and everything you feel and would like to
whisper in her or his ear. Write it by hand, the old-fashioned way.
• Buy photo
albums and start putting all your photos in them.
Trust me, you’ll be grateful later when you start taking
hundreds of pictures of your new baby.
• Read, read,
read – Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, anything. You won’t have the
time or energy to read for a while.
• Spend some
quality time with your partner. Your life together is about to change forever,
so cherish these last few weeks and plan some grown-up, fun activities. Lunch
at your favourite restaurant, a picnic in the park, breakfast in bed, cinema,
weekend away. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just make the most of each other’s
company.
• Last but
not least, treat yourself to something special, just for you. Babies are
expensive and as soon as they arrive your needs become secondary. If you want
that new pair of shoes, buy them now!
Good luck!
