Congrats! You're pregnant and in your third trimester! Your body is beautiful, big, and TIRED! The doctor may have told you to take it easy. No coasters at the amusement park, and maybe no lengthy flights out of town. You've already given up your nightly glass of wine, and you can't even get close to your husband without feeling awkward. Oh, and you haven't been hanging out with your girlfriends much either, because your cute clothes are fitting a wee bit snug lately.
NO WORRIES! With just a few weeks of pregnancy left, this can be the BEST time to make some good memories, if you're willing to kick back and milk it a bit. Here are 13 fun things to do in our area to support your mental health and overall wellbeing.
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Schedule a Prenatal Massage and/or Chiropractic Care
Oh my gosh, now is the ULTIMATE time to get a massage. You’ll be lying on your back instead of your stomach, and this probably won’t be a deep tissue massage, so don't worry about feeling like your muscles are being peeled off. Your therapist will likely use a Swedish massage method with gentle kneading strokes that will probably feel so relaxing to you.
Prenatal massages can help you relax, they can eliminate stress, swelling, and pain relief, and massages in general promote blood flow. Some women report that they sleep a lot better after having a prenatal massage (and we know that when it comes to pregnancy sleep, the struggle is real!) As long as morning sickness isn't an issue for you right now, opt for the aromatherapy option if your therapist offers it.
Chiropractic care is another useful indulgence during this season of your pregnancy. Getting an adjustment reduces spinal nerve stress and promotes health throughout the body. Your chiropractor can also show you effective stretches for relieving tension and easing discomfort.
WoodlandsMommy.com recommends:
- Anew Chiropractic – Dr. Yael Gurwitz is a Webster certified chiropractor who offers prenatal chiropractic care and has 3 in-office therapists who offer prenatal massage in The Woodlands/Magnolia area. Visit www.AnewChiro.com.
- Foundation Chiropractic – Dr. Evan Pulver is a Webster certified chiropractor who offers prenatal chiropractic care in The Woodlands / Magnolia area. Visit www.foundationwoodlands.com.
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Enjoy a Lovebeans coffee date with your spouse or another family member.
Maybe the days of dancing like it's 1999 are on hold for a while, but that doesn't mean you should give up spending quality time completely. Ditch your other kids (and by "ditch", we mean find a reputable babysitter) and plan some time at Lovebeans Coffeehouse in the Village of Creekside Park. Order decaf (if you must) and one of those delicious freshly baked muffins, and sit down for a chat. If the timing is right, you might snag a seat on the sofa in the side room. It's a cute, comfy, quaint setting for good conversation.
Photo courtesy of Lovebeans Coffeehouse.
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Read a good book.
There's been a lot of buzz in recent years about Where the Crawdads Sing, the 2018 coming-of-age murder mystery novel by American author Delia Owens (Amazon affiliate link). If you start reading the book now you can digitally stream the movie one day when baby is here and you're resting beside him/her with nothing else to do.
Sure, you can order off Amazon, but if you're overdue for an outing, head to Barnes & Noble in The Woodlands Mall. That way, you can crawl the mall for some more goodies if you're feeling up to it. This might not be the perfect time to shop for apparel (unless you're shopping maternity clothes), but a pregnant mom is sure to enjoy a new lip gloss from Sephora, lotion from Bath & Body Works, or maybe you'll want to grab a nursing bra from Victoria's Secret.
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Update your look quickly with a new style at Blo Dry Bar in Hughes Landing.
You won't want to sit for hours at your regular hairdresser's, but a fast and fun trip to a blow dry salon might be what the doctor ordered! Blo Blow Dry Bar offers quick service, and they make it easy to decide on a style with their photo menu of choices. Some days are slower, and while they take walk-ins, we always recommend calling ahead. -
Go on a nature hike.
If it's a good day for your energy level, pack a bottle of water and hit the nature trail along The Woodlands Waterway for some fresh air. It's a spacious path, so you can take your time not worrying about wobbling in someone else's way, and a stop at the koi garden will make for some good reflection time as you think about your new little bundle that's almost here.
Pictured: The Woodlands Waterway
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Participate in a prenatal fitness class.
Whether pregnant or not, you should always consult your health provider before beginning any new exercise regimen, but you'll especially want to do so now. Once you get your doctor's approval, contact a local __- for prenatal yoga. Some pregnant women partake in regular yoga, and just modify it to fit their needs. *We have not found a prenatal fitness class in The Woodlands. Please send us your recommendations! -
It's no secret that pregnant moms sometimes have the weirdest food cravings.
If trying pickles and ice cream doesn’t sound appealing, grab your best friend and go out for a different type of "tasting". Choose a place that has various options or flavors of something you already enjoy eating. You can ask the server at your closest ice cream or froyo parlor for at least a few samples without them getting annoyed. Visit Crumbl Cookies on Research Forest and try out one of their specially blended soft drinks. Other options for trying many small things is sushi and appetizers at Uni Sushi in Metropark Square, or macarons at Macaron by Patisse (pictured below) in Hughes Landing.
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A traditional way to have fun during your third or even second trimester is to have a baby shower!
It doesn't matter if it's your first baby or your fourth, don't feel guilty about wanting to celebrate with friends (and wanting folks to bring you gifts). When you are the guest of honor, you'll want to be cute, but also be comfortable, and you can dare anyone to judge you as you're walking around in house shoes. Baby showers are so much fun with activities, good food, and old comrades. (Or call it a "sprinkle" and gather with just a few close friends for board games and lite bites.)
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Speaking of baby showers, you have to let the guests know what you want!
Filling out a baby registry is a wonderful way to have fun when you're pregnant, because shopping for new stuff (or better yet, making a list so that other folks can shop for new stuff) for your little one is so exciting. You can easily do this from the comfort of your own home with Amazon queued up in your browser.
But if you’d prefer to physically touch and feel ALL THE THINGS, consider a registry at a bricks and mortar store like Target. We love the Target in the front of The Woodlands and the one on FM 2978, but for doing a baby registry, head south to the Super Target off of Cypresswood Dr at Interstate 45. When filling out a baby registry, start with a list of things you're already sure that you want, and then as you see more must-have items, add them to your list without going overboard. Otherwise, it gets overwhelming! -
The Montgomery County Memorial Library System is full of books with baby names.
How do we know? We searched the online database. If you haven't already decided on a name for your new baby, now might be a great time to do so. Check out one or more of the many books available on this topic. Because we really don’t want you naming your little one Lalaloopsia. -
Relax in a spa.
Some doctors say yes to hot tubs, while others say it might not be a good idea. Listen to whatever YOUR doctor recommends. Lounging in a hot tub can be comforting and stress-relieving. If you don't have a spa at home, consider signing up for a health club membership, if only for a few months. VillaSport in The Woodlands has indoor and outdoor whirlpools as well as other aquatic facilities. -
Go out for a candle lit dinner.
If it's been a long time since you've treated yourself to an upscale outing, getting dressed and going out for a fancy meal is the best way to indulge. Choose your best maternity dress (or borrow one from a friend) and do your hair (or see Idea #4) and have a steak at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille (Woodlands Parkway), unlimited protein at Fogo de Chao (Hughes Landing), stuffed rainbow trout at Amerigo's Grille (Grogans Park Dr), or the Thai Shrimp & Scallops at Tommy Bahama in Market Street.
Pictured: Tommy Bahama Restaurant
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When was the last time you checked in at a hotel... for pleasure.. solo?
For a relaxing time with room service, visit The Woodlands Resort. Get a room with a view of the lush grounds, and spend your time reading, watching TV, or catching up with friends on Facetime. There’s something satisfying about having the space in your bed all to yourself for the whole night when you have a growing belly. Pack a few tools for pampering in your overnight bag - nail polish (for your fingernails, because you might not be able to touch your toes right now), a face mask, and your favorite scented candle.
Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Resort
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Take maternity photos.
That beautiful bump is to be cherished, mama! You might feel big and heavy and not-so-cute right now, but trust me, it’s worth getting dolled up for and posing in front a professional’s camera one day. One of my favorite photos of my own mom is when she was pregnant with me in her belly! Your kids will treasure these photos one day, and so will you.
WoodlandsMommy.com recommends:
- Arrowhead Photo offers a client closet to style beautiful maternity sessions. Shannon’s specialty is golden hour outdoor photography but she has a great passion for creating editorial style studio images as well. She offers Belly + Baby packages and strives to create emotion inducing images. Visit www.arrowheadphototx.com
- FreeSpiritFoto offers maternity pictures and includes their client closet with amazing dresses as well and help every step of the way in planning. Visit www.freespiritfoto.com.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
We know you love your daily routine, but pretty soon it’s going to be ALL about the baby for a while, so go out and have some fun right now. Keep this list of enjoyable activities handy so you can build some healthy emotional experiences leading up to the birth of your child. Be creative, pamper yourself, spend time with those you love, and don't be shy about retreating for some time alone. We're rooting for your health and happiness!
