The Art of Waiting: How to Stay Calm in the Final Weeks of Pregnancy

“Patience is not passive; on the contrary, it is concentrated strength” - Bruce Lee

I came across this quote recently and couldn’t help but think how perfectly it applies to late pregnancy. Those final days and weeks can feel endless — as though your baby might never arrive (spoiler: they always do!). It’s an emotional rollercoaster, filled with excitement, anticipation, fear, joy, and sometimes overwhelm. Add to that the well-meaning but persistent check-ins from friends and family, and it can start to feel like a lot of pressure.

Staying grounded through this time isn’t easy, but there are gentle ways to support yourself as you approach labour and birth. Here are a few ideas to help you maintain calm and nurture your wellbeing:

Take a break from social media
Doom-scrolling and comparing your journey to others rarely helps. In fact, it can stir up stress hormones and leave you feeling more anxious. Give yourself permission to step away.

Turn your phone off
If messages about induction or “any news yet?” are becoming overwhelming, switching off your phone — even for a few hours — can be an act of self-kindness.

Rest, rest, rest
This one’s big. The urge to scrub every corner of the house or walk for miles to “get things going” can leave you drained, which isn’t ideal when labour begins. Instead, curl up with your favourite show, a cosy blanket, and a hot drink.

Book some bodywork
Not to bring on labour, but simply to relax and do something lovely for yourself. Safe, compassionate touch can lower stress hormones and boost feel-good chemicals — exactly what your body and mind need right now.

Be kind to yourself
Above all, give yourself grace. Check in with your feelings, allow whatever comes up, and meet yourself with compassion. You’re doing something extraordinary — and it’s okay to rest, breathe, and trust the process.

If you would like to chat about how we can work together through pregnancy, labour or postpartum, you can book in for a FREE 30 minute discovery call today.