13 Things To Do When Your Pregnancy Is Overdue

I was over a week overdue with my first baby. It was agony.

Every morning I would wake up ticked that I hadn’t gone into labor the night before (because in my head labor could obviously only begin in the middle of the night??).

I ended up going 8 days overdue — which is technically normal. In fact, only five percent of babies are born on their due date.

And let’s make one thing clear, due date is a loose term. It is normal to be “overdue”.

Technically a pregnancy isn’t really overdue until around 42 weeks.

However, I knew that going into it. I knew I ovulated later than most women (TMI?). I knew I would likely be later than my “due date”. But it didn’t matter. November 16 was the date they gave me and the date I counted down to and when November 16 came and went I was mad.

My OBGYN said the last 3-4 weeks of pregnancy can feel like 40 weeks in and of themselves and I didn’t believe her…until I hit 38 weeks pregnant.

So, if you’re reading this and you’re swollen and tired and ready to meet your baby, know that I have been there. And even though it may feel never ending, pregnancy cannot last forever and you truly are close to the finish line.

In the meantime, while you wait, try some of these ideas to help get your mind off of things and “enjoy” that last bit of time before baby comes.

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Things To Do While You Wait

Get a prenatal massage. Yes, I know they are expensive but now is the time. Ask the masseuse to hit all the labor pressure points.
Buy some baby clothes. Turn frustration at being overdue into anticipation for baby’s arrival by buying a few more outfits. Get the baby closet organized with all the cute little hangers and organizational bins.
Go out to eat. Now is not the time to be cooking and cleaning dishes. Go get the food you’ve been craving and enjoy some time out of the house.
Go on a walk. Yes, it is helpful to prepare your body for labor but it also could be a nice way to break up the waiting. Invite a friend. If it is winter, walk the mall. If it is summer, walk a farmers market or park trail.
Have a movie night. Get snacks and fun drinks and cozy up for a movie marathon.
Prepare postpartum recovery items. Make those homemade padsicles. Put together the cute little bin in the bathroom with the tucks pads, a peri bottle and some perineal spray. If you’re having a C-Section, make sure you have the specific items you need to recover.
Get a pedicure. First of all, you can’t reach your toes so having someone else paint them is nice. Secondly, ask them to hit all the little spots on your feet that can help labor. Who knows if it does anything but at least you feel like your working towards something.
Take a nap. Don’t set an alarm. Just take a nap. Your body has been working in overdrive for 40+ weeks.
Go on dates. Every night can be date night when you’re overdue. I mean they do say sex can help get things moving…There are plenty of pregnancy-friendly dates and activities that can help pass the time.
Make sure everything is ready for baby. Does the diaper bag have all the essentials? Are the baby clothes organized? Maybe make a few more freezer meals and lactation cookies?
Buy some loungewear. I know you probably have some. Get one more set. Have fun picking it out. Go to the store in person and peruse. It is your newborn uniform.
Write your baby a letter. You think you will remember everything because right now it is so vivid and consuming but it gets blurry. Tell your baby about what it has been like carrying them the past 9+ months. Your hopes and dreams for them. Your prayers over their life.
Throw your phone away. Stop reading the mom threads. Stop going on Facebook and seeing the girl who already had her baby who was due after you (this happened to me – I cried). Stop googling every tiny symptom and sign. Stop answering those annoying “anything yet?” texts.