A pregnant woman's due date is like an imaginary finishing line at the end of a ten month marathon. Focusing on that special day can help her manage her anxiety and discomfort. It can help her keep things in perspective, because she knows there's an end in sight. Sometimes, however, the day comes and goes with barely a rumble in her tummy, leaving a mom-to-be confused, worried, and often annoyed. If your due date has come and gone but your baby doesn't seem to want to budge, you might be looking for things to do if you're past your due date.
Questions from friends and family along with your own eagerness to meet your new baby can make the wait agonizing. But going past your due date is fairly common. The date should be considered a general estimate of when your baby will arrive based on the information you give your doctor about the start of your last period, rather than something you use to set your clocks by. As Fit Pregnancy mentioned, only 5 percent of babies are actually born on their due date. Additionally, according to Web MD, most babies arrive between week 38 and 42 of the mother's pregnancy. In fact, the baby isn't considered post-term until after week 42.
It's perfectly natural to feel a little anxious when your due date has passed. However, it can help to use this time to do some last-minute prep for your baby's big arrival. Putting the finishing touches on your nursery, taking breastfeeding classes, and installing your car seat are great ways to channel your energy and take your mind off of playing the waiting game. And when all of your prep work is done, take some time for yourself to relax before the big day arrives.
You'll have lots to do after your baby is born, so think of this time as the calm before a beautiful storm. And as my midwife told me when my youngest son was approaching two weeks past his due date, "your baby will come on his birthday."
1
Assemble Your Baby's Furniture
You've been putting it off long enough, and trying to make sense of those assembly instructions can be a great way to take your mind off of everything else. So break out your tool kit and start assembling all of your baby's furniture while you have time.
2
Make A Birthing Playlist
A playlist of your favorite jams can help make labor a lot easier to manage. Make sure to include songs that motivate you, help you relax, and just make you feel good. Your labor will probably last several hours, so you should have plenty of time to listen to all of your favorites.
3
Catch Up With Friends
There's nothing like a conversation with a good friend to help ease your anxiety and put you in a good mood. You'll have your hands full when your baby arrives, so use this time to catch up with some of your besties. They'll be more than happy to let you vent about your hemorrhoids and swollen feet if your partner has heard enough.
4
Take A Class
A big part of parenting involves on the job training. But there's no harm in taking a class to help you with breastfeeding, infant CPR, and more. You can find your local chapter of La Leche League International or do a quick online search for other parenting classes in your area.
5
Assemble Your Team
It's going to take a village to help you get through the first few weeks with your new baby. You need to assemble a team of reliable family members and friends that you can call on. Use this waiting to period to make sure everyone is on board to help you with household responsibilities, errands, and caring for your newborn when you need a rest.
6
Install Your Car Seat
You won't be able to bring your baby home from the hospital without a car seat. Take some time to read the manufacturer's instructions to ensure your baby's seat is installed properly in your car.
7
Take A Bath
With a newborn in the house, you'll barely have time to shower. In the meantime, you should try to soak in your bathtub while you can. If you're nervous about giving birth, a nice hot bath can help you relax.
8
Stock Your Fridge
The last thing you're going to want to do when you first bring your baby home is cook dinner. Use this waiting period to stock your fridge with easy meal items or cook things now and freeze for later, as Baby Gaga mentioned.
9
Get Some Rest
You may feel like you need to be keeping yourself busy. But when the big day finally arrives, you're going to need as much energy as possible for pushing. While you're waiting for baby to make his appearance, try to get rest when you can, as Baby Gaga suggested.
