The final weeks of pregnancy can feel endless. You're too uncomfortable to do much, but too anxious to just sit still. So what should you actually be doing with this time?
I posed this question to my community of moms, and the responses were gold. Here's what experienced parents wish they'd known to prioritize before their baby arrived.
Self-Care You'll Miss Later
Get a pregnancy massage. Your body is doing incredible work right now and deserves some relief.
Sleep whenever you want. Yes, everyone says this, but they're right. Sleep in, nap, rest on the couch – do it guilt-free while you still can.
Enjoy long, hot showers. Uninterrupted bathroom time will soon become a luxury. As one mom put it: "Enjoy peeing with the door closed – I haven't done this since April 25th."
Get a haircut. A fresh cut now means one less thing to worry about for months. You won't have time (or mental bandwidth) for salon visits with a newborn.
Schedule a pedicure. You won't be able to reach your toes soon, and it's nice to have pretty feet when they're up in stirrups.
Consider a bikini wax. Many moms recommend this for comfort during and after delivery.
Book pregnancy photos. Pregnant bodies are beautiful, and you'll treasure these images later.
Practical Prep That Pays Off
Double every meal you cook. Freeze the extras in single-serving containers. When you're surviving on 2-hour sleep cycles, you'll thank yourself for having real food ready to reheat.
Stock your freezer and pantry. Go beyond meals – think easy snacks, protein bars, and anything you can eat one-handed.
Learn how your baby gear works now. Figuring out car seat installations and stroller folding mechanisms at 2 AM while sleep-deprived is miserable. Practice while you're clear-headed.
Wash all baby clothes and remove tags. Those plastic tag attachers are surprisingly time-consuming to snip off. Do it now while watching TV.
Pre-make birth announcements. Design them now so you only need to add a photo later.
Study newborn photography ideas. Look at poses and setups you like so you know what shots you want to capture in those fleeting early days.
Learn What You'll Need to Know
Research breastfeeding thoroughly. If you plan to nurse, learn about common problems, proper latching, and where to get professional lactation support in your area. Being educated before issues arise reduces stress significantly.
Practice perineal massage. This can help reduce tearing during delivery.
Try Red Raspberry Leaf Tea or Third Trimester tea. Many midwives recommend these to prepare your body for labor and reduce leg cramps. (Always check with your healthcare provider first.)
Home and Life Logistics
Get the dog groomed. Pet care becomes much harder with a newborn.
Vacuum out your car thoroughly. It'll be full of Cheerios and crumbs soon enough.
Pull out next season's clothes. You won't want to dig through storage with a baby on your hip.
Arrange lawn care help. Line up a neighborhood teen to mow, rake, or shovel, or hire a service for the first few months.
Stock up on household essentials. Laundry detergent, toilet paper, cleaning supplies – buy in bulk now.
Prep your entertainment. Get a list of your favorite shows and movies on your watchlist so you have entertainment during marathon feeding sessions.
Enjoy Your Last Bit of Freedom
Go to matinee movies alone. Put your feet up in a dark theater and enjoy two hours of uninterrupted entertainment.
Schedule endless date nights. Romantic dinners and spontaneous outings become logistically complex with a baby.
Have leisurely, intimate sex. The long, slow, uninterrupted kind. It'll be a while before that happens again.
Spend time with childless friends. They may unintentionally drift away once your life revolves around nap schedules.
Follow every impulse immediately. Want to read? Read now. Craving a popsicle? Go get it. Feel like staring at flowers? Stare away. After baby arrives, these simple acts require military-level planning.
The Bottom Line
The final weeks of pregnancy are a strange limbo, but they're also your last chance to be spontaneous, well-rested, and completely in charge of your own schedule. Yes, prepare practically, but also give yourself permission to be "selfish" with your time and energy.
Your baby will be here soon enough, and while the love is overwhelming, so is the responsibility. Enjoy this in-between time – you've earned it.
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