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You have waited 9 long months for the biggest moment of your life. You have prepped your bag, dealt with the good and the ugly, and pretty darn excited to welcome your baby into the world. But then you go past your due date. It can be discouraging not to have your baby in your arms after awaiting several months by marking a particular day on the calendar. But let’s be real, going past your due date is not the worst thing to happen to a pregnant woman. And it is all going to be okay! Here are 7 things to think about during those final days of your pregnancy:
1. You Are Not Alone
Not all women give birth on their due date. Your due date may vary slightly because it’s just an estimate made by your doctor. It’s normal to give birth before or even after your due date has passed. And there’s also the chance that your due date wasn’t calculated the right way. It can happen if you weren’t sure about the exact date of your last menstrual cycle, or if your due date was based on your ultrasound results(1).
2. Continue Your Prenatal Visits
There’s no reason to skip your prenatal appointments now that you are ready to go into labor any minute. In fact, your doctor may ask you to frequently visit during this time just to make sure that everything is going according to plan. More ultrasounds and monitoring may need to be done to take care of your little one. We know visiting the doctor can be tiring, but know that it’s not for long.
3. There’s Probably A Reason Why It’s Getting Delayed
Maybe it’s a good thing that you have not gone into labor yet. Your baby probably needs some more time to grow and develop in the womb. You don’t want your baby to be born prematurely. So give him/her the time they need. When it’s time your body will automatically give you the signal that your baby is ready to come out. So, trust the whole process and relax in the meantime.
4. Your Baby Will Arrive…
This is the most obvious thing. But we bet there will be moments where you feel like you’ve been pregnant forever. When you look back a few years later, it will seem like a blip in time. So, be rest assured that your baby will be coming soon. Who knows, maybe, even tonight.
5. Take Care Of Yourself
Just because your due date has passed doesn’t mean you should compromise on your diet and rest. Remember you got a long marathon to run. So prepare your body for it. Stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids, eat healthy food, and most importantly get enough rest. Your mind and body should be energized and ready for when it’s about to happen.
6. Give Yourself Some Love
We know you can’t wait to change your status from ‘mom-to-be’ to ‘mom.’ And being a mom is no walk in the park. Along with all the excitement, you are also going to experience not-so-pleasant postpartum symptoms as well. So this is the best time to pamper yourself and give your mind and body some love. You can go for a prenatal massage or treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure. You can also go for a romantic date with your partner or go for a fancy lunch with your girls.
7. Do Some Soul-Searching
Take some time out for yourself every day. You can also meditate or do some yoga in a quiet place in your home. You are going to be a mother soon! It’s important to be aware of postpartum symptoms such as baby blues, postpartum depression, and anxiety(2). Being informed will help you deal with it better if at all it happens. You don’t want to feel like a lost puppy and feel guilty about all that you may go through. Talk to your husband or your closed ones about it. You can even talk to a therapist. Do what works best for you.
Make the most of your time now because you may go into labor at any moment. So rest, eat, and enjoy!
