Unexpected and Meaningful Things to Do When You're Pregnant

Pregnancy is full of to-do lists: doctor appointments, baby gear research, nursery planning. But tucked between all that preparation is a unique season of anticipation, transition, and growth that deserves to be experienced, not just checked off.

Here are some lesser-known or often-overlooked ways to connect with yourself, your partner, and your growing baby during this one-of-a-kind chapter:

1. Start a Pregnancy Time Capsule

Create a small box filled with mementos from this season: a handwritten note to your baby, a printout of your first ultrasound, your current favorite snack wrapper, a playlist you can’t stop listening to, a photo from a walk you take often. Seal it up and open it on your baby’s first birthday or even their 10th.

2. Take Yourself on a Solo Retreat (Even Just for a Day)

Before your world changes, take some intentional time for yourself. Book a night at a quiet Airbnb nearby, visit a bookstore without a clock in sight, or spend the day in nature with no agenda. Use the time to reflect, reset, and just be.

3. Record Voice Memos for Your Baby

Instead of (or in addition to) writing letters, try recording little messages for your baby. Talk about how you’re feeling today, what you’re most excited about, or even just what the weather is like. Save them for the future, these become tiny audio love notes from the past.

4. Plan a “Lasts” Date Night Series

So much emphasis is put on the “firsts” of parenthood, but what about celebrating the beautiful “lasts” of this chapter? A last spontaneous late dinner. A last hike without a diaper bag. A last lazy Sunday. Marking these moments helps you honor your current life while looking forward to what’s next.

5. Book your Maternity Session with ME 🙂

Come frolic around the fields or along the beaches of Seattle or adventure to a gorgeous backdrop to document this time.

6. Learn Something Completely Unrelated to Birth or BabiesTake a class just because you want to. Pottery. Guitar. Poetry. Foreign film. Keeping something in your life that has nothing to do with pregnancy can be a powerful reminder that you’re still you– growing, curious, and whole.

7. Create a “No Pressure” Birth Wishlist

Instead of making a rigid plan, try creating a list of preferences, hopes, and calming rituals you’d like to incorporate — without tying yourself to expectations. Think: music you love, scents that feel grounding, or a favorite blanket you want nearby.

8. Start a Ritual for Checking In With Yourself

Pregnancy is emotional, and those feelings shift constantly. Start a weekly check-in practice — a quiet moment with tea and a journal, or a walk where you simply ask, “What do I need right now?” That habit of tuning in will serve you long after the baby arrives.

9. Ask Your Loved Ones to Write Letters to Your Baby

This is a beautiful way to involve family and friends who are excited for your little one. Ask them to write a note you can save for a future birthday. It becomes a treasured keepsake and helps them feel connected to your journey.

10. Design a “Postpartum Sanctuary”

Think less about the nursery and more about your space. What will help you feel calm, seen, and nourished in the early days after birth? A cozy chair by the window? A soft robe? A fridge stocked with your favorite meals? Planning your own comfort matters too.