I remember the last month of my first pregnancy as though it was yesterday, my life was largely made up of feeling the three S’s – shattered, sweaty and swollen. I was fully ruled by bonkers baby brain, I could barely string a sentence together and I even managed to put milk in the washing machine instead of fabric softener. On-the-ball I certainly was not.

Now I look back and can think of a few things I wish I had done in that final month, not only things to better prepare for the forthcoming whirlwind of change, but also a couple of cheeky treats.

1. GO ON DATES

It’s no secret that baby will demand all of your attention, which leaves very little time for you and your significant other to do the things you enjoy together as a couple. Go to the cinema, go out for meals, go out for walks. Enjoy your last few weeks as a couple before you soon become a family.

2. TREAT YOURSELF TO A TRIP TO THE SALON

Had someone told me to go and have a manicure I would have been there quicker then a teenager to a One Direction concert. A spot of pampering coming up to the big day should be made a legal requirement – be it a manicure, hair cut or facial. Do it, you deserve it.

3. CHOOSE AND SAVE A BOX SET OR TWO

I was genuinely surprised how much time I spent parked on the sofa, newborn babies feed A LOT.  I found watching back-to-back episodes of Breaking Bad my saviour. In fact, hubby and I watched it so relentlessly we were surprised (and perhaps a little disappointed) that baby’s first word wasn’t “Heisenberg”

4. RESEARCH MUM AND BABY GROUPS/CLASSES

After my first little one arrived I felt so overwhelmed that the idea of going to a group full of other new mums was my idea of a nightmare. What if they were all coping brilliantly and in I roll wearing yesterdays outfit and so shattered I can hardly converse.  What if they were all friends already and nobody wanted to talk to me? Baby groups = no. thank. you. I couldn’t have been more wrong. When I was finally convinced to try a couple of groups – “what harm can it do?” – not only were the other mums also in my overtired shoes but it was genuinely amazing to get out of the house.

5. SLEEP IN, NAP, GO TO BED EARLY

Just because you can. Here comes the cheese – you really do need to get some energy in reserve for birth and beyond. Also, let’s face it, pregnancy is exhausting and sleeping for a full night with a baby bouncing on your bladder is practically impossible. If you get time to nap or head to bed early, take and enjoy it.

6. SEE FRIENDS

This really ties in with point number one. Things change when baby arrives and those spontaneous trips to the pub for a cheeky diet coke will soon take more organising than a military mission. Make the most of spending girly time with your friends – go shopping, pop out for a meal, do what you enjoy doing.

7. TEST YOUR BABY PURCHASES

The time to test your new terry towelling nappies isn’t on a wriggly baby covered in poop; the same goes for collapsing and opening your new fancy buggy – have a fiddle and master these things before baby arrives.

8. FILL YOUR FREEZER

I find cooking a bit of a chore at the best of times, I wasn’t blessed with Jamie Oliver’s passion. Still, I really do wish I had made some freezable meals in advance of the long-awaited arrival so it was easier for hubby and I to get dinner sorted. I didn’t realise how important it would be to eat well after baby, not only was decent food energy much needed but I felt rubbish enough in the early days without the added huge carb crashes and sugar come downs. Spaghetti bolognese, stews, anything you can cook in bulk, I promise it will be time well spent in those last couple of weeks.