It’s often said, that pregnancy flies by so fast….except for the last few weeks. Those take 84 years.

It is SO TRUE isn’t it!?!

If you are reading this post I can imagine you are somewhere near this point in pregnancy and are feeling ALL THE THINGS right now. From cravings to swollen cankles. From baby equipment overtaking your home waiting on that precious babe to fill it, to the fact that you have to pee every five seconds but yet can’t poop for the love of everything holy. Am I right?!? ALL. THE. THINGS. You sit or run around waiting not so patiently doing everything you can to wish or work yourself into labor, whatever the cost. At least most women feel this way.

But, I want you to think about something for a minute: Instead of wishing you weren’t in the current state of urgency to get that baby out…that being what will “make you happy”..… why not focus on the things you CAN control? Why not do and focus on the things that make you happy in general?!

There is ample evidence to show that a little positivity goes a long way right!?! So here are a few tips to help you slam those negative impatient thoughts down the drain and flourish in the joy that the last few weeks of pregnancy can bring you! If you only let it!!!!

1- CLEAN OUT THE NOISE.

SO many well wishers tend to “check in” often. On the other hand you may struggle with simply believing that you can do this thing we call giving birth. Whatever the NOISE is, from outside sources or within your own head and heart….TUNE IT OUT! Turn the ringer off and tell those who will need to know, that you will let them know when things are happening. When you have those thoughts of worry about what is coming or what you feel may never come LOL, speak it. Claim the false nature of it. Throw it in the trash bin so to speak. Because none of it is helping you live your best life.

2- EAT GOOD FOOD & HYDRATE.

One of the hardest things in late pregnancy is how easily you can become dehydrated! Seriously! As a Doula, I get so many birth clients calling with sporadic contractions or cramps that are caused by dehydration. Not to mention the fact that you are about to do the equivalent of running a marathon and need good hardy nutrition! So, order your favorite take out. Buy that cool water bottle you’ve been eyeing! And eat drink and be merry! Enjoy what may be your last few meals not holding or feeding your own child. Take care of your own body’s needs, because depriving yourself of good food isn’t helping you live you best life.

3- CHANGE YOUR SCENERY.

It’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day dreariness when we are constantly looking at the same four walls….the same office….the same empty baby furniture. So, GET OUT!! Go walk on the beach one evening! Have bonfire outside if it’s cool or go for a swim if it’s warm! Call a girl friend to meet for lunch or book a night at a hotel! Anything to help clear your vision of the TIME lapsing in front of you! Because focusing on that doesn’t help you live your best life.

4- DO, READ & WATCH THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY!

Whatever it is, do it. If it’s window shopping or Netflix…. dinner with friends or coffee alone on your porch… DO IT. If you don’t feel like doing something, then don’t make the commitment to do it! This is one of the times in your life that it’s literally the best thing to be able to say “NO THANKS” and have a really good excuse to do so!

IN CLOSING, BE YOU, DO WHAT WILL BRING YOU JOY AND HAPPINESS DURING THESE LAST FEW WEEKS OF PREGNANCY. ESPECIALLY IF IT DOESN’T DO HARM TO OTHERS RIGHT?!?! YOU WILL NOT GET THIS TIME BACK. SO, SPEND YOUR TIME AND ENERGY WITH THOSE PEOPLE AND THINGS WHO BRING YOU JOY! BECAUSE IN THE END, WHAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE… MORE ABUNDANTLY!! NOT HOW MANY THINGS YOU CHECKED OFF THE ‘TO DO LIST’.

Best Wishes