Fun things for a pregnant lady to do

Things for a pregnant lady to do since she can't do much...
(from Huggies Baby Network)

A manicure or pedicure. Go to a well-ventilated salon that sterilizes its instruments between every customer. You may not be able to see you feet very often, but at least they'll look nice when you catch a glimpse. If you have varicose veins and get a pedicure, nix the leg massage part.

A pregnancy massage. A rubdown by someone who is certified in prenatal massage can be a great gift to yourself, especially in late pregnancy when your baby's weight starts to become a strain.

Food shopping and eating. Take a jaunt to your local farmer's market and pick up some fresh (organic) vegetables you've never tried before. Experiment with new herbs and flavors.

Sex. Unless your care provider says it's off limits (and if so, ask what, specifically, is off-limits), you still need intimacy and hugs, no matter your size. Experiment with foreplay, different settings, living out your fantasies, and new positions while your belly is running frontal interference. It's probably best to not stick anything inside except nature's own magic wand, since infection can be an issue. This is especially important if your waters have broken. (Then again, you could have a pizza picnic in the middle of the bed, since food has probably become almost as much an object of lust these days as anyone else's naked body).

Movies. In late pregnancy, sitting for two hours can be a literal pain in the you-know-where, so rent movies for home. Now's a good time to catch up on all of those features you were planning to see but never had the time to, especially the chick flicks that made you weep.

Board games. If you're not drinking so as to protect your baby, sitting at a bar while your friends drink can be really boring. Instead, have people over to your house for board or card games, like Monopoly®, Scrabble® or poker and serve healthy munchies and a few new kinds of punches.

Have tea. There are thousands of delicious kinds of low- or no-caffeine teas in the world. Go out for high tea with scones, little silver spoons and clotted cream, or put it on at your house with friends.

Sewing, knitting or needlepoint. Making things gives you a better feeling of accomplishment than, say, watching television. And your grandmother will be very proud.

Express your artistic bent. If you've always wanted to paint with watercolors or to splash colors on a canvas, this might be a good time to experiment with expressing your images for the world to admire. Or have a belly casting done and paint the form yourself.

Keep a journal. Do you have poems in your head about being pregnant that your child or hubby might appreciate later? Are you having weird and emotional dreams that need expression? Are there images and sketches you could add (or pictures from magazines you could glue in) to express the deeper meanings of this powerful event? Then go to it!

Grow things. If the weather permits, get down on your hands and knees and plant flowers or vegetables. (That's also great practice for birth positions later). Or, start a container garden on the deck. If it's winter, grow African violets, salad greens and sprouts using an indoor plant light.

Put on the music. If you love music, then why haven't you listened to it lately? Pull out your favorite symphonies, or dance to great rock 'n roll from the past. Music helps moms to dream, and dreaming is important when it comes to preparing for a baby. While you're at it, collect your favorite lullabies and sleepy music on a CD to play for your baby later.

Become a designing woman. Now's a good time to browse through wallpaper stores to find the perfect border for Junior's nursery and to coordinate that with fabrics and paints. Use magazines for ides about color schemes, room arrangements and storing things.

Play with babies. How better to prepare for motherhood than interacting with babies? Accompany your friends who've joined the stroller club on walks to talk about babies. Note: we didn't say babysit anyone else's child, unless you want to become very disenchanted should the baby cry all evening or urps all over you and your friends' best couch.

Bake bread. There's something very maternal about kneading warm bread, watching it rise, and then letting its delicious aroma fill the house. Make it healthy by using part whole-wheat flour and adding nuts and other goodies.

Browse maternity clothes. If it's too much of a hassle to go to the mall, try shopping for maternity clothes online, instead. Even if you don't end up buying something for yourself, you'll at least see what's "in" in the motherhood world. Or, roam around local thrift stores to see what duds you can put together for under $10.

Window shop for Baby. Giant baby stores the size of football fields can be dizzying, but they can also be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Look at tiny baby clothes; examine all the strange inventions in the world for making life with baby easier. Then try out the rocking chairs and gliders for a rest. If you're on a tight budget, remember to leave your credit cards at home.

Take a "day" trip. Instead of staying indoors all the time, plan a brief afternoon trip to a lake, the ocean, or a beautiful park. Pack a picnic lunch (without the wine), and bring a big quilt and pillows for just relaxing and watching the clouds pass. We suggest the parks with clean restrooms.

Go swimming. Swimming is great exercise for pregnant moms. It's low-impact, and builds strength and flexibility. For once, you'll feel light and your pear-shaped body will float like a buoy. Use sunscreen if you're outdoors. Then, afterwards, spend a half hour in the shower for a luxurious body bath.

Visit the library. You'll find great cookbooks to check out for your new culinary interests, books on decorating for your home improvement plans, novels on tape to listen to in the car. And you can listen to the children jabbering in the children's book section. And all of it's free!

Join a support group. La Leche League International (www.lalecheleague.org) hosts monthly meetings in mothers' homes for discussions about breastfeeding, birth, nutrition and toddlers. Mothers of Twins clubs meet in most major cities (www.nomotc.org). And most hospitals have parent support groups that are open to anyone who wants to attend.