If you’ve ever watched Friends, you’ll remember the scene where Rachel says, ‘No uterus, no opinion!’ Even for those who have one and have gone through pregnancy, we often lack words to describe it. It is a unique experience. And as such, it deserves to be celebrated and enjoyed to the fullest.
Activities That Brought Me Joy During Pregnancy
These are the things I will remember my pregnancy by and recommend to all future moms.
Weekend Getaways with My Husband
When we found out I was pregnant, my husband and I agreed to make the most of the time before the baby arrived to enjoy each other’s company. Our prerequisite for having a good time together was straightforward: spend time in nature.
I would pack some food (sandwiches, a pie, coffee), and my husband would make a playlist of our favorite songs. These rituals made our road trips special and fun.
Arranging Spa Days at Home
The simplest things can be the most fulfilling. Make a cup of tea, prepare a bubble bath, light some candles, play some relaxing tunes – that’s all you need for a home spa treatment. After the bath, you can do a pedicure, put on a face mask, and apply a hair mask. It’s a real feast for all the senses.
An important note: Consult your healthcare provider. They can give you the green light on safe water temperatures and which essential oils are best to use, so your spa day is relaxing and enjoyable.
Reading: Books, Magazines, Newspapers
When I got pregnant, I said to myself, I will slow down and make time for the ritual of reading a newspaper or a magazine. Interestingly, I’m not much of a fashion magazine fan, but I bought a few issues, and it was fun.
All my unread books waited patiently for me to pick them up. The nine-month period was an ideal timeframe for conquering that pile. It was a treat.
Enjoying My Hobbies: Photography
Every time I noticed something worth capturing, I would grab my phone. Even in my home. The sunlight dancing on my coffee foam, or a nicely cooked meal, or a quote from a book I read. Not to mention the adventure of pretending to be a tourist in my hometown.
Going through my phone’s gallery brings up so many emotions now. It also reminds me of how quickly time flies, and how nice it is to document meaningful moments.
Spending More Time With My Parents
As my pregnancy progressed, the need to spend time with my parents, especially my mom, grew. I wanted to talk to her, ask for advice, and get a glimpse into her experience. Or I just wanted to be around them, watch TV together, eat some nice food that my parents prepared, and feel like a kid again before my baby arrives.
If I Could Turn Back Time (I’d Savor This)
Nine months sounds like a lot of time, but it flies by. Here’s what I didn’t do, but now wish I had.
Slept More
Prioritize sleep. Rest; don’t feel guilty for staying in bed longer. Once the baby comes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to lose sleep.
Booked a Professional Photoshoot
If I could turn back time, I would organize a professional photoshoot. It sounded cringeworthy to my taste. Now, I wish I had those photos.
Documented My Growing Belly
I take photos of everything and everyone, except myself. I have maybe one photo of my belly, and I took it to send it to a friend. It’s one of the most tangible ways to preserve a memory of your pregnancy. So don’t miss doing it.
Practiced Prenatal Yoga
I was active during pregnancy, went for long walks, but didn’t exercise. Now I see how important strength and flexibility are when taking care of a baby. Knowing what I know now, I would definitely sign up for prenatal yoga.
Kept a Pregnancy Journal
How precious it would be to have all the emotions and thoughts that ran through my mind during pregnancy put on paper. It would be a nice keepsake for the child to read in the future, too.
Once the Baby Arrives
You hear how you must put your preferences aside to take care of the baby. And that’s true at the beginning. But as the baby grows, you can return to your passions (activities and hobbies), except this time you’ll be accompanied by the best buddy you’ll ever have.