In the final weeks of pregnancy your baby is growing rapidly, the placenta is larger, and there is more amniotic fluid present. All of this is stretching your belly and probably becoming quite uncomfortable.
You may have trouble sleeping, getting comfortable anywhere, experiencing leg cramps, have irregular and bothersome contractions, or just feel ready to have your baby in your arms! Your body is preparing for labor by moving your baby into position (hopefully head down), by starting to soften the cervix, and warming up for the big event.
Some couples have found these tips helpful in the last few weeks:
- Take time for yourself or with your partner
- Plan a movie or dinner out with friends
- Take slow walks in the evening if it is safe and warm enough
- Get a back or foot massage
- Wash the baby”s clothes, finish the baby’s room or make your notification list to place in StorkAdvisor so that you can quickly update family and friends when the time comes
- Write your baby a note about how you feel to place in a baby book
- Enjoy the last days of quiet and calm, it is about to get very busy at your house
These final weeks can be exhausting and sometimes even frustrating, but know that all the changes are internally accomplishing things that need to happen. Hang in there, you are almost done!
