Activities to Consider Before You Deliver Your Baby

The time period between your 37 weeks of pregnancy and the minute you go into labor can be an impatient and harrowing process. After your 37^th week of pregnancy, you are considered full term. According to the Baby Center, that means your newborn will have the capacity to breathe on his or her own, because the lung has fully matured. However, it is commonly known that babies, especially your first, can decide to be born way after 37^th week and go even past your due date. I should know because I am currently five days past mine with no sign of labor contraction or baby in sight. What to do when you are waiting for that sign of either water breaking or the one minute contractions five minutes apart. Here is a list that I have come up with.

Spend Time with your significant other because once the baby comes; it will be all over. Of course we would like to think that we would have the life before baby back where we could stay out all night and have those romantic nights out. In reality, this is all wishful thinking. From now on, it will be you, your significant other, and the baby. Go out to movies, grab dinner, hang out and do nothing. It will all change very soon.

Take bubble baths: I can not emphasize how soothing this is when moving an inch is a painful ordeal. Sea Salt is ultra healing and gets those stress knots out. It is also nice to feel buoyant when you feel anything but.

Organize your space: Some call this the nesting instinct; the burst of energy you suddenly get to clean and organize everything. Just don't overexert yourself , because you never know when you will go into labor. The last thing you want is to be too tired for that big push.

Catch up on your sleep: This is one of those times when you should feel absolutely no guilt for sleeping in. Lounge around in your pajamas, grab a good book and read in bed. Take naps all the day long; soon enough, you are not going to get any.

Drink a cup of tea and rub on that belly butter:Earth Mama Angel Baby has excellent natural pregnancy and postnatal products. I highly recommend the third trimester tea that is also a uterine tonic. They also have the best belly balm made out of Organic Shea butter, Calendula, and Chamomile. It smells ultra divine and nourishes the belly.

Set up the Nursery: Hopefully you have already done this by now ,but if you are a procrastinator like me; you still have yet to set up the crib, wash all the baby clothes, and put them away. Now would be the perfect time to do them. I recommend Charlie's Soap for your baby's clothes; it's non-toxic, inexpensive, and gentle enough not to cause any irritation.

Practice your breathing exercises or meditate: Practice breathing techniques you learned in birthing class or start creative visualization you want to use during your labor. Meditation can be a perfect way to prepare your mind for the big task ahead.

Practice Prenatal or Restorative Yoga: Stretch yourself gently to open up your hip area in preparation for delivery. Make sure you practice under certified prenatal yoga instructor and get an OK from your healthcare provider.

Pack your hospital bag: Make sure you have your bags packed incase you have to get to the hospital in a hurry. Pack your labor bag and postnatal bag separately so you don't have to lug around a heavy luggage. What should be included in your labor bag? Massage Oil, CD's, Toilettries, Lollipop, Massagers, photographs you might want to use for visualization, camera, phone book, and snacks for your labor coach/partner.

With these ideas, I hope that you can manage your impending delivery with grace and ease. I know it's hard when there's a belly size of watermelon in your way and every movement hurts beyond belief but know that the end is in sight. The reward of holding your beautiful baby when it's all over and these soothing activities will be soothing to your last hours of pregnancy.