Why I’m Skipping the “Do Nothing” Advice for My Delivery Prep
When I was a kid, I remember my aunt telling my pregnant cousin, “Just rest, don’t move too much, it’s safer for the baby.”
It stuck with me for years. So naturally, when I got pregnant myself, I started thinking maybe lying around was the right thing.
But here’s the thing — the more I talked to other moms and read up on it, the more I realized complete rest isn’t the golden rule. In fact, according to the complete guide for Indian mothers by AskDocDoc, small, consistent daily actions matter more than extreme changes:
https://askdocdoc.com/articles/824-things-to-do-for-a-normal-delivery--complete-guide-for-indian-mothers
What I’m Actually Doing
I walk every day, nothing crazy — just 20–30 minutes around my apartment block. It keeps my energy up, and honestly, it clears my head. I saw someone share almost the exact same sentiment on Twitter:
https://x.com/1881713393369030656/status/1955638030213018088
I’ve also started adding a few gentle yoga stretches I found from a Pinterest board — pelvic tilts, supported squats, things that feel safe and don’t make me dizzy. Here’s the one I liked:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/928445279437145128
And yes, I’m eating well, but not “eating for two” like the old saying. Mostly home-cooked Indian meals, with iron-rich veggies and proteins. I even found an Instagram post that made me feel seen about not overdoing the diet side:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNTHFpoifBY/
The Emotional Side Nobody Talks About Enough
Movement is one thing, but I’ve noticed my brain needs as much prep as my body. I came across a short note on Threads about using affirmations and breathing to calm labor fears — it was exactly what I needed:
https://www.threads.com/@askdocdoc/post/DNTHG7osr3r
It reminded me of a Facebook post I saved where another mom talked about how regular check-ups made her feel confident and connected to her baby:
https://www.facebook.com/122099392514743210/posts/122136863540743210
And if you still think the only safe way is to stay in bed, there’s a great discussion on LinkedIn about why safe, guided activity is often better than complete rest:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/askdocdoc_contrary-to-popular-belief-complete-rest-activity-7361403805667647488-M5jq
I’m not saying everyone should do what I’m doing — every pregnancy is different. But for me, skipping the “do nothing” rule has been the best decision so far. I feel more in control, my moods are better, and I’m actually looking forward to labor instead of fearing it.