7 Questions to Help You Plan and Make the Most of Your Maternity Leave (Before the Baby is Due)

(Motherhood journey: 9 weeks before due date)

Right now I’ve been feeling in a state of limbo where my work is winding down but my intentions with the additional time that’s opening up on my calendar before the baby is due is unclear. I don’t want to have any regrets about things I could have done before the baby arrives, so I’ve put together some prompts to help me think about what my intention will be for the 4-6 weeks before my due date. Hope they help you, too!

1. Who do you want to spend time with?

   I’m creating a list of friends I want to reach out to for coffee so we can have some quality time together. I also want to get together with other women who are at the same stage of pregnancy.

2. Which venues (restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.) do you love going to that you may not be able to once the baby comes?

   There are some venues that I may not be able to go to until we are at the point of having a babysitter. I think I’ll invite people from #1 to these venues!

3. What projects have you been meaning to start/finish?

   One thing I’ve heard from others is cleaning and decluttering to create both peace of mind and space for the baby.

   Personally, I crocheted a baby blanket that is 95% finished but got neglected, so I’ll aim to finish that.

4. What are some last-minute items you need to get for the baby?

   I received some nice items at my baby shower so I hadn’t thought too much about this, but there are still some things I need to get. The items I still need are bulky items like a bassinet and stroller, as well as day-to-day items like diapers and wipes. It would be good to either shop for these things or place an order ahead of time.

5. What are some last-minute items you need to prepare for yourself?

   I still need to order nursing bras, look into postnatal pads, and see if there are any nursing clothes (like gowns for indoors or t-shirts for outdoors) to pick up.

   Also, a friend of my recommended making a batch of soups to freeze so that we have some nourishing and quick meals to have once the baby arrives and there isn’t time to cook.

   I also still need to pack a hospital bag and have that ready to go.

6. What are some activities you want to do for your self-care?

   I’m planning on getting a facial a haircut, and having an osteopath session for my spine and pelvic health. I should also probably schedule some reflexology sessions given the potential feet swelling in the final weeks.

7. What’s something you’ve always thought to do if only you had the time, that you could try now?

   Personally, I’ve been enjoying posting more to instagram and writing as a creative outlet. I’m also planning on writing a bulk amount of articles for my coaching website so that those can be automated to go out while I’m on leave. I’ve heard of other people wanting to pick up hobbies such as sewing, or going on a mini trip somewhere not too far.

Phew, by the time I lock these down into my calendar, I’m sure I’ll have a full schedule!

Any other prompts you’d add?