Waiting Games

The kicking game may be outshined by the waiting game at this point. Many women describe the last weeks of pregnancy as the worst because of the high levels of anxiety, drastic swings of emotions, and physical discomforts. It all comes together at the end as you and your baby wait out a little more time with as much patience as possible.

The good news is you could deliver at any time and not worry much about your baby surviving. The baby will have a good grasp of sucking skills and would be able to breastfeed without special problems at this point!

Look at You Now:

Adding to the long list of physical discomforts you may be suffering, your sleep can be spotty and shallow at this point. It starts with the constant need to urinate and adds up to a busy mind worrying and obsessing about what is to come.

Here is a quick parenting tip that will later be used on your little one, but can be very effective for you right now: limit your liquid intake a few hours before bed and wear out your energy before lying down. It should not take much to wear out what little energy you may have now! Just saving laundry and other house chores for the evening can help you become tired enough to sleep easier.

Look at Baby Now:

Well, it is just a waiting game still! Your baby is functioning and just practicing for the real deal. Not much is known about what your baby may be thinking or feeling, but it is easy to imagine she is just as eager to get out of those cramped quarters as you are to get her out!  

Tips for Now:

The best thing you can do is relax at this point. There is not much you can control about the delivery of your baby and what you can control has already been discussed with your doctor, so worrying is not going to solve a thing right now. You can use the breathing techniques you learned in childbirth class to calm you down and get you ready for the big day.