Weeks and Trimesters 101 Things to Do When You're Pregnant and Overdue By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH twitter linkedin Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial process Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Reviewed by Reviewed by Rachel Gurevich, RN on May 26, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Rachel Gurevich, RN, is a registered nurse, fertility advocate, author, and recipient of The Hope Award for Achievement, from Resolve: The National Infertility Association. Learn about our Review Board Rachel Gurevich, RN on May 26, 2020 Print Creative RM/Peter Cade/Getty Images The end of pregnancy can seem like an eternity. The closer you get to your due date, and especially when you're past your due date, the more the days seem to drag on and on. This isn't made any easier by how people seem to want to constantly ask you when you were due or how many babies you're carrying (!). Things to Do While Waiting to Give Birth As a way to pass the time while waiting for baby, consider making some of these your bucket list items for the last, long weeks of pregnancy: Read another pregnancy bookTake a bubble bathGet a manicure or pedicureEat something spicyTalk to an old friendLearn to time contractionsPick out a baby bookGo over your list of baby names one more timeWrite a birth planChange the message on your answering machine or voicemail to inform callers you're still aroundGet your hair doneGet a pregnancy massageGo for a bumpy rideRecalculate your due dateHang out on the pregnancy forumsWatch reruns on televisionWash all of your baby clothesCheck out a matinee movie, alone or with a friendMake a rice sock for laborTry a new recipe for dinnerPack your birth bag and the father's bag for the hospital or birth centerLook through your pregnancy journal or pregnancy blog and relive some of the better momentsBuy a new nightgownGo dancingLook at some birth announcementsPut the baby's car seat in the carGo window shoppingDaydream about the babyEat something else spicy, like samosasBuy a nursing braIf you have older kids, read to themShave your legsVisit someone else with a new baby and practice holding him or herThink of goofy answers to the questions about whether or not you're still pregnantTry a new nail colorCall your momSit in your baby's room for a whileBuy a cute baby toyMake a list of foods that are high in fiberPut together any unmade furnitureBuy stamps for birth announcementsWork out—go to yoga, aerobics, whatever you like to doPractice a new position for laborWalk around the mall or parkCheck to be sure your insurance information is packed in your birth bagIndulge your biggest pregnancy craving—soon you won't crave it anymoreListen to your favorite music and consider making a playlist for the birthBuy a pack of diapersBuy a new toothbrush for the birthMake a cakeCall your best friendPlay with your petsDo nothing for a changeGive your partner a back massage and show him how you like to have your back rubbedBuy any birthday cards or presents you'll need for the first six weeks after your baby is bornHave a smoothieRecheck your birth bag for the hospital or birth centerGo to a La Leche League meeting or breastfeeding classTake your partner dancingPack some snacks for the hospital or birth centerMake a belly cast of your bellyBuy some sexy underwear, or at least not granny panties, for after the birth (a couple of weeks)If you have older kids, make "I'm a big sister/brother" t-shirts for themBake a batch of cookies for the doctors and nurses at the hospital or birth centerGo to your last prenatal appointmentsOrder your favorite pizza for dinnerHave sex (*wink*wink*nudge*nudge*)Think about anything but the new baby or laborTell your partner how much you love and appreciate himMake big batches of food and freeze them to use after the baby is bornHave AAA or a local car dealer inspect your car seat for safetyGet a new scented lotion for laborPack a diaper bagMessage your honey to make sure he's paying attentionPut together a casserole to eat when you come home from the hospitalPut your birth bag in the carMake sure you have some postpartum help lined upStart a scrapbook for your baby if you haven't alreadyCall your pediatrician to see if he or she has a recommended list of first aid itemsLook through your old baby books and picturesHave a lunch date with a friendRead positive birth storiesChat with your doula or doctor about any last-minute worriesFeel your baby's movements and remember how you waited to feel those first kicksMake a romantic dinner for your honeyMake a list of everything you will miss about being pregnantLearn to knit baby bootiesAsk your mom about your birthClean out the refrigeratorRent a movieTake a practice drive to the hospitalListen to an audiobookRead a novel you've been dying to readGo to work—why not?Think about your postpartum birth control choicesRead a new breastfeeding bookPractice a new relaxation techniqueRefold all the baby clothesWrite a letter to your baby explaining how much you can't wait to meet him or herMake a list of everything you won't miss about being pregnantGive birth! 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