Only around 5% of babies are born on their estimated due dates. Of the 20 women in your prenatal class, just one will welcome her baby on the due date, so the chances of that being you are not great. Well, one in 20, to be precise. So, rather than spending the whole day sat anxiously clutching your hospital bag, waiting for the contractions to begin, here are seven ways to occupy yourself:
- The first rule of due date club is no screen time – it’s your due date, all of your friends and family are waited with bated breath for the birth announcement. When I say waiting, I mean texting/calling/tweeting/Facebooking/smoke signalling you for news. Every time you so much as step near a communication device, you will be inundated with reminders that your baby is late for the party. To protect your sanity (and stop yourself from swearing at your sweet little grandma when she unwittingly becomes the fifth person to ring in an hour), go off grid for the day. Keep your phone with you, of course, because you’ll need it if you are one of the 5%, but keep it switched off until you need it.
- Do something fun – get your best friend to take the day off, so that she can take your mind off the date. Do something you won’t be able to do for a while. Go to the cinema, get a facial or just go for a picnic at your local park. Change your surroundings, go somewhere different, and have fun gossiping with your best friend.
- Have a fancy meal – go out for a slap up meal with your partner. It might be the last date you have for quite some time, so make the most of these last few days together. Try a new fancy restaurant, or eat at your favorite eatery. Just make sure you enjoy yourselves.
- Have your photo taken – some women love pregnancy and feel more beautiful than ever, and others mourn the loss of their body. Whatever your view, you are likely to one day look back and, even just for a second, think fondly about your pregnancy body. In a few months, you won’t even be able to remember quite how big you were at the end of the pregnancy. Why not organise a pregnancy photo shoot to help you remember? You could do it yourself, with the help of a camera-savvy friend, or pay a professional to take some shots.
- Write a letter to your baby – now that your due date has arrived, you may be feeling quite emotional. The wait is finally coming to an end, and you will soon meet your baby for the first time. You may feel overwhelmed by emotions, and writing it down may help you to feel more in control. Why not start your baby book with a letter written on the due date, detailing your feelings and emotions on the day.
- Hang out with some mums – what every heavily pregnant woman needs, is some time talking about the great things about birth and babies. What could be better than hearing lovely birth stories, breastfeeding triumphs, and newborn sleep tricks from those in the know. Organise a due date party, inviting your closest mum friends to celebrate with you and help to prepare you for the birth ahead.
- Be a cliché – there’s no point leaving this off the list, since you’re probably going to do it anyway. Go for a walk, eat a curry and have sex. After all, you’ve been waiting for this baby long enough!
How are you planning to spend your due date?
Why not start reading up on what to expect when your baby is there? Whilst you wait for your baby’s arrival, download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).
Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.
