The end of pregnancy is the most amazing and the absolute worst of pregnancy.
It feels like it’s so hard to survive the end of pregnancy.
The last 10 weeks or so you have so much anticipation to meet your newest member of the family, but you are the most uncomfortable and in the most pain that you have been through your whole pregnancy.
Now that I’ve had three whole babies (still not sure how that’s real sometimes) these are my must have tried and true things for surviving the end of pregnancy.
Before we dive into how to survive the end of pregnancy, who is Sid?
Hey there! I’m Sid, juggling life as a mom of three little ones (all under three!) and wife to the best guy I met on Hinge. “At Home with the Sikorski’s” is where I share our tips, tricks, and stories about making home life awesome—from motherhood and homeschooling to DIY projects and keeping our marriage strong. Let’s create a life we love together!
Oh, and just a heads up—some of the links in my posts might be affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It’s a little way to help support our family and keep sharing helpful content with you. If you want to learn more, you can read the full disclosure here.
Now… onto 10 things that helped me (and will hopefully help you!) survive the end of pregnancy!
1. Compression Socks
If you haven’t jumped on the compression sock train, then climb aboard because these socks make such a huge difference. If you’re suffering from leg pain or swelling, and with the rapid weight gain of the final weeks these socks are going to seriously be your best friend. I also recently wore them on a longer road trip (5+ hours) and they were a life saver. I’m trying to shout to the world that compression socks are not for 55+, they are for anyone with swollen ankles, calves, or feet.
2. A Pregnancy Wedge Pillow
If you haven’t gotten a pregnancy wedge pillow yet, you should. These last couple of weeks are the hardest to get sleep, and knowing that you won’t ever get flat on your back while trying to catch any z’s you can is just a sigh of relief. As little sleep as I have been getting lately, this pillow gives me a piece of mind that I don’t have to wake up to readjust myself off of my back if I accidentally end up there. Plus, if you get pregnant again you’ll be all set!
3. A Heating Pad
I know I know, you aren’t supposed to use a heating pad on your belly. But, you can use it on your legs and your back, just limit the timing to 20 minutes or less if you have it anywhere near your baby! I haven’t made the heating pad a habit, but when you are up and down on the floor all day with a growing toddler that wants to then be held when you aren’t on the floor, then some days that 20 minutes becomes the best part of my day. These microwavable heating pads are perfect because they give you a piece of mind that you aren’t going to overheat!
4. Liquid IV
With the amount of water you need especially in this last trimester, Liquid IV has been a game changer for me. Before Liquid IV, I knew I was drinking enough water but I never felt fully hydrated. With Liquid IV, I’ve been able to actually feel hydrated, and I actually drink more because the flavor is better than water. Honesty moment: I have to force myself to drink water and I don’t love the taste of it, so anything that helps is a win in my book.
5. Birthing Ball
Bouncing on this thing will help relieve some back pain, help encourage your baby to flip, and can be a game changer in early labor. I love it in the end because it allows me to stretch out my hips and lower back without needing to get on the ground or do some real awkward position. Plus, if you have an older child they will love bouncing with you too!
6. Prenatal Yoga
I have been personally loving doing all the prenatal yoga workouts on the Peleton app. A lot of them are slow flow and perfect for labor prep while staying active when you feel like a potato. Youtube has some great options as well! This has been so helpful in stretching and allowing myself to take a couple of minutes for myself. While you obviously gain weight in pregnancy, I think doing yoga has personally helped me gain less this time around than I did previously.
7. Comfy Shoes
It’s called fashion. Kinda. Sneakers are kinda still in, right? Well even if they aren’t, if you haven’t invested in a good pair of sneaks in these last few weeks you really should. Plus, if you find some really comfy/cute ones, it will help motivate you postpartum to start working out/get back in shape because what girl doesn’t love cute workout clothes and shoes?! I have these shoes, and I love them for everything from chasing my child around, cooking in the kitchen, and working out.
8. Belly Butter/Belly Oil
To be honest, you probably should have started using belly butter a long time ago. But if you haven’t, you still have time! Your skin is about to start stretching more rapidly than it has previously, so this belly butter will bring the relief you didn’t know you needed. While it doesn’t take away stretch marks since they are mostly hereditary, doing anything you can on your end to keep that skin hydrated! I love the Honest Brand for both, and conveniently they come in a set!
Pro Belly Butter Tip: If you have a belly butter with cocoa butter in it, DO NOT USE IT AT NIGHT. Well, unless you’re okay with baby dancing around a ton while you’re trying to go to sleep! Cocoa butter is super nourishing, but it also has caffeine in it. So use the butter in the morning, and oil up at night to be sure you don’t get your little one all wound up when you are trying to wind down!
9. Baths
I have never missed my bathtub more than I do in these final weeks of pregnancy. At our old house, we had a really nice soaking tub that was perfect for a nice 20 minute soak before bed. I don’t have this luxury at this moment anymore (hellloooo home renovations and a house from the 1950’s), but if I did I would be taking baths every single day. Here’s some of my favorite bath salts that I used last time around.
10. A Sense Of Humor
I think this is what you need the most in those final weeks, is to be able to laugh it off (or laugh so hard you cry and then can’t stop crying). You’re going to be massive, you’re going to be uncomfortable, you’re going to be so excited that the day is finally coming, you’re going to be terrified that you have to get a baby out of your body, and you’re going to be feeling so many other emotions. When something happens that’s out of your control, just do your best to laugh it off. When something doesn’t go exactly right or you are stuck on the floor for the 7th time that day, make sure to give yourself the freedom to see the humor in it, because it will be over soon and your little babe will make it all worth it.
The biggest thing to help you survive the end of pregnancy–date night!
I don’t mean anything extravagant, but just spending intentional with your partner is so important before the baby comes. However, maybe at this point in pregnancy though let’s be honest, you kinda just want to stay home. In walks the Night In Box, perfect to have a date night in the comfort of your home! Snag your Night In Box today before the baby comes!
Not feeling the Night In Box? No worries. Check out this post with 15 other at home date night ideas.
Now I would love to hear from you–what am I forgetting? Or what did you love to help you survive those last weeks of pregnancy? Let me know in the comments!!
