The Ninth Month (Or Tenth!)

Sometimes pregnancy can last a long time. A REALLY long time! When you follow the Facebook group 10 Month Mamas!!, you can see just HOW long pregnancy sometimes lasts. (For evidenced-based information on going past your due date, and even past 42 weeks, visit the Evidence-based Birth website. All three of my own pregnancies have gone past my estimated due dates - the first two naturally went to 41 weeks, and the third went to 42+3. All babies were born safe, healthy, and easily (all were 9 lbs +). But while it's usually safe for a pregnancy to last past the 40 week mark, that last 4-6 weeks is the LONGEST few weeks of your life, I can testify to that! So what can you do to take your mind off of the impending birth of your child and make the time go by faster? Here are a few bits of advice from women who know: 

• Pamper yourself! This is the most popular suggestion. You're huge. You're probably uncomfortable. And every day that passes more people are asking "Have you had the baby yet?" So you're tired, too. One mother schedules some sort of "pampering" or fun thing to look forward to every week after 37 weeks. Consider some of these:
• Chiropractic adjustment - good for you, good for baby, GREAT for getting ready for labor! Putting baby (and you) in the optimal positioning for labor might just get things started, or it could at least relieve the sciatic nerve pain or back aches you've likely been feeling. 
• Get a prenatal massage - and make sure your therapist knows how to give a proper one! The best prenatal massage therapists know how to use pillows or bolsters to prop you up so you can lay down on the table - WITHOUT sticking your belly uncomfortably through a hole. 

LIKE THIS!

NOT THIS

• Have someone take your other kids during the day and NAP. Seriously.
• Set up a special date night with your husband, boyfriend, or partner. Maybe a girlfriend if you're single. Go out, eat nice food at a place you can bring home leftovers - we all know the last month is not a time for an all-you-can-eat buffet! 
• Go swimming - takes all the pressure off your muscles and ligaments. Float your stress and tension away. 
• Pedicure, manicure, or hair styling
• Dance! With your kids, by yourself, gettin' it on might bring labor - or just make you really sweaty. But dancing is fun and helps boost energy, something we all need in the last few weeks
• Take the kids to a park, museum, library, etc. 
• Wash all the baby clothes. Again. - Just kidding. Don't do that. But if you haven't gotten them out yet, or you need to purchase a few more things for the nursery (or restock on something, if you have other kids), now is a great time to get ready. 
• Make up your bed to prevent your water breaking from damaging the mattress. Even if you're birthing in the hospital or birth center, your water could break at home while you're sleeping. Start with a clean fitted sheet, then add a waterproof mattress cover on top, then another fitted sheet and all your usual sheets and blankets. Then, if your water breaks, you can remove the wet sheet and cover and have a fitted sheet all clean and ready to go for the next time you need the bed, and you've saved your mattress!
• Double check your hospital bag or pack it, if you haven't already. Even if you're birthing at home, plan to have a small bag of essentials ready, just in case you need to transfer. Then there's no mad dash or stress if something does happen. Luck favors the prepared. 
• Watch some birth videos. Or some silly cat videos. Go ahead, I won't judge. 
• Watch a funny movie. Or a sad one. Or your favorite one. Laughter is awesome for relaxing the body and causing contractions. 
• Go to a comedy show. See above. 
• Get belly (and/or hand) henna done. It's a beautiful tradition for pregnant women in the culture of India that has made its way here to the US. Make sure you use pregnancy approved henna, some types are considered toxic. 
• Color
• Write birth affirmations (make them pretty if you want!), and hang them up in your house or put them in your hospital bag (remember the tape!)
• STOP ANSWERING THE PHONE. Aunt Bertha doesn't need her daily confirmation that "No, baby hasn't come yet." Seriously. Mute it and do the rest of this list instead of answering frustrating messages. 
• Nature walk
• Bath and book (new studies say a glass of wine in addition won't hurt either - just keep it reasonable)
• Coffee or hot cocoa with friends. 
• Desert with friends. Here in Utah we have Waffle Luv, The Sweet tooth Fairy, Coldstone Ice Cream, and so many other delicious places to get a sweet treat. Find one where you are and enjoy!
• Indulge your cravings. Mine lately has been jalepeno cheddar sourdough bread. Shameless eating of an entire loaf has occurred in less than 3 days...
• Buy a new robe and soft nighttime nursing bras - you'll live in these the week or so postpartum. Remember that you need things too, not just baby! Also stock up on maxi pads and adult diapers, make padsicles, and throw some prune juice and chocolate in the cart. (Prune juice is for pooping after pushing your 7 1/2 (in my case 9) lb bundle of joy out of your body.)
• Read about the risks and benefits of induction. 
• Hire a postpartum doula - seriously amazing. 
• Cry. Seriously, just let yourself FEEL ALL THE FEELS. You're emotional, and it's okay. Just cry. Or rant. Or laugh. Whatever you feel like doing. 
• Let go. Let go of stress. Let go of the unnecessary worries. Let go of any problem that doesn't belong to you.
• Release emotions. Write down any negative emotions you have about birth, being a mother, pregnancy, or postpartum. Then burn it. Very satisfying, and really good preparation for baby. 

This list is my by no means exhaustive. Do whatever you feel like doing - that is safe for you and baby - and most importantly just let go of expectations for when he/she will come. Especially if you're experiencing prodromal labor, it's really important to take care of yourself and relax a little bit. Find a way to enjoy these last few months with just you and your spouse, or your older kids, and prepare yourself for the new life you're bringing into the world. It will happen, I promise. 

What do you do in the last month of pregnancy to help the time go by faster? Put it in the comments below!