Are you going crazy waiting for baby to make his/her big arrival? Sick and tired of hearing, "When's your due date?" "Are you having twins?" "Are you gonna have your baby right here?" Here are some suggestions from your doulas of 10 things to do while you are waiting!
1. Indulge at Village Treats in Narberth
After growing and carrying your baby for OVER 40 weeks, you most certainly deserve to indulge a little.
Come
enjoy this neighborhood hub of deliciousness before your little one
arrives. Or even better, plan it for tomorrow. It'll give you something
to look forward to in case you don't go into labor tonight.
My favorites:
Their
homemade donuts are made from scratch....every day! Made with pure
ingredients including 100% canola oil, real butter, farm fresh eggs,
flour, sugar, vanilla extract and Hershey's cocoa. And you can pick your
own donut toppings!
Hot Belgian waffles.... a
la mode. Village Treats serves up Philly's own Basset Ice Cream(they
have like a thousand flavors but I tend to stick with Rocky Road most
days)
Brownie Ice Cream Sundae.... with hot fudge and whipped cream. Heaven.
If you want to visit their website, click here: http://www.villagetreatsnarberth.com/
They can be found in Narberth down the main strip, right by Mapes and Swan Dance:
236 Haverford Avenue, Narberth, PA 190722. Take a walk through King of Prussia Mall
This one's a two-fer. You'll work on walking that baby out AND you could use an excuse to buy just a few more cute onsies. So what are my favorite stops on this walk?
If you are having a girl, you've got to stop at Layla's Boutique. My gosh are their items precious. I haven't been there in a while so I just called and spoke with the manager. She reminded me that they also carry communion/baby dedication wear. Wanna grab that perfect newborn girls photo prop? This is the place. Take a sneak peak at their layette items before you visit on their website: http://www.laylasboutique.com/ And to find them in the mall, walk the upper level of the court by Neiman Marcus and you'll find it eventually!
A couple other favorites for baby clothes at the mall:
3. Hike Historic Valley Forge National Park
You'll notice this one's almost the same as the one above it.... for good reason. Walking is great for you! But this time the focus is on the less materialistic and more on the beauty surrounding you. I find that Valley Forge Park does a great job at centering me. A walking meditation is not only good for the body, but it's good for the soul. And the more relaxed you can feel before your baby's birth, the better. So go enjoy some of those beautiful views before your baby's arrival.
To plan your hike, click here: http://www.valleyforge.org/ or just show up, it's pretty self-explanatory.
To learn more about walking meditation, click here:Walking Meditation
4. Visit Marlene Burk Acupuncture of Haverford
Go get stuck... with a needle that is. Acupuncture has been proven to help the body prepare for labor and believe it or not, many women find it to be very relaxing. Marlene's bed side manner is super professional, giving you peace of mind that you are in good hands. And she has these really cool pads on her table that allow you to be well supported so you can really rest your big belly, mind and body to get the most out of the appointment. From Marlene, "Preparing the body for labor is another benefit of acupuncture. These
particular services are scheduled very specifically around the projected
time of delivery."
To read more, go to Marlene's website, http://www.marleneburk.com/services
Marlene's office is located inside Main Line Counseling and Wellness Center on Haverford Ave in Haverford.
600 Haverford Ave.
Suite 201
Haverford, PA 19041
5. Eat at El Limon Mexican Food in Ardmore or Conshohoken
You've heard the old wives tale a million times.... eat spicy food to go into labor! And what better way to grab some spicy food then the most authentic Mexican place in the area. El Limon, located in Conshohocken is now opening a second location in Ardmore. So whichever spot is more convenient to you, grab a friend and go get a great lunch. Just don't get jealous of the FREE margaritas being consumed by everyone else in the place.
My favorite:
Asada Tacos Supreme
Grilled Chicken Burrito topped with mole sauce
You can find them on the main drag of Conshy at 103 Fayette St, Conshohocken, PA 19428(across from Light Parker Kids) or right next to the McDonalds on Ardmore Ave and Lancaster Ave in Ardmore in the former Subway location.
6. Plan a visit to Your Best Friend's House
Next week. Because you know that whenever you plan a nice relaxing event with your best friends, somehow the plans always get messed up. So, that would be a good thing in this case.... Am I being clear enough here that we need the BABY to come mess up your plans???
7. Take a Swim at The Haverford Area YMCA Pool
Give your back a break! Go for float in the Haverford YMCA therapy pool.... therapy pool meaning WARM, comfortable for mom and baby. Not a member? Just grab a friend who is a member and you get in FREE, totally free! Not once, not twice, but three times a year. And if you want to say Hi to your doulas, come on a day we are teaching a class!(such as on May 23rd when we are teaching a Big Sibling Prep Class)
For more info about their programs go to https://philaymca.org/locations/haverford/
And to get there, put 891 N. Eagle Road Havertown, PA 19083 into your GPS! If you're a long time resident of Haverford, you'll know that Y is located in the old bubble gum factory location.
8. Get Local Organics at The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market
Grab some local organic fruits and veggies at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market. Not only will you find some amazing produce, but many of the vendors also carry great breads(including a gluten free one!), local honey's, milk, eggs, coffee and more. Pick up a pineapple while you are there, word has it they are supposed to help encourage labor to start. Why not grab a bag of coffee for post delivery??
9. Go Out for Date Night at Frankie's Fellini Cafe for Eggplant Parmigiano
Date night's are always fun. But this one serves a greater purpose. Eggplant parmigiano. Don't like it? Order it anyway. One restaurant in Cobb County Georgia, Scalinis Italian Restraunt, claims that over 300 babies have been born shortly after eating their eggplant parmigiano. In fact, their walls are lined with photos of all the little cuties. My own doula texted me on my due date and told me her Scallini eggplant story. She was living in Georgia at the time and went for dinner their on her due date. Just hours later, she went into labor. So, what did I do? I went to Fellini's(then at their Ardmore location) and had an early Due Date dinner. Just 6 hours later, sure enough I went into labor. So, is their anything scientific about this? Not really. But it's certainly a fun place to go when you are over 40 weeks pregnant in Philly.
Preview their menu here: http://www.frankiesfellinicafe.com/menu.html
Fellini's is right across the street from the Berwyn stop on the R5 train at 678 Lancaster Ave, Berwyn, PA 19312
You can find them directly across the street from Hymies Deli at 333 Montgomery Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
10. Get a hair cut at Hair's to You in Bala Cynwyd
Who knows the next time you'll be baby free so go get a trim before the big L-Day. You'll feel good about yourself and get it out of the way for at least another 6 weeks(ha, who am I kidding, I get there every 6 months and there's never judgement). The owner, Paige, is a mom of a young one herself, so she understands the struggles of getting out with a baby, and she gives you the royal treatment at every visit.
For more info go to www.hairstoyousalon.com/
Give them a call at 610-949-0111 for an appointment. Sometimes they can even squeeze you in on the same day.
In the comments below, let us know how you passed the time when you were "overdue".
