Mother’s Day hits a little differently when you’re still expecting. You’re not juggling sleep schedules or playing peekaboo just yet, but your brain and body are already doing the full-time work of growing a human—and that’s no joke.
And the usual “treat yourself” advice doesn’t always land when you’re pregnant. Maybe you prefer sporting compression socks in the comfort of your own home. Maybe your back hurts too much for a prenatal massage (it’s complicated!). Maybe you just want someone else to handle dinner and not ask any questions.
Recharging while pregnant shouldn’t mean making a big plan. And when your body already feels like it’s being shared—with a baby, with doctors, with well-meaning strangers who suddenly think your belly is public property—what you probably need most is a little space to feel like yourself again. That might mean rest. It might mean quiet. It might mean doing something that reminds you of your pre-pregnancy life. Whatever helps you feel even a little more like you in the middle of this massive change in your identity is the stuff that’s worth protecting.
Here are a few ways to actually feel refreshed, cared for, and celebrated this Mother’s Day—without needing a gift bag or a brunch reservation to prove it.
Real Rest, However You Can Get It
If you’re growing a whole human, you’re already doing enough. But actually feeling rested while pregnant? That’s a whole different story. (Pro tip: enjoy the second trimester.)
Between the middle-of-the-night, mind-blowing leg cramps, a bladder on overdrive, and the mental marathon of preparing for parenthood, real rest can feel… out of reach. Even when you do manage to take a load off, your brain might still be running through your baby registry, wondering exactly how many crib sheets you need (pick three and call it a day).
So this Mother’s Day, let rest be whatever actually helps you recharge. Maybe that’s a nap in the middle of the day with zero justification. Maybe it’s laying on the couch watching garbage TV with your phone on Do Not Disturb (it’s what Bravo marathons were made for). Maybe it’s asking your partner to handle the errands while you do absolutely nothing and don’t feel guilty for a second of it.
Rest shouldn’t be productive. It doesn’t need to be scheduled or perfect. Give your body and mind a chance to pause—because growing a baby is already a full-time job, and you deserve built-in breaks.
Time Alone Without Feeling Selfish
Pregnancy can feel like everyone has a stake in your body—your doctor, your partner, the stranger in the grocery store who has loads of tips for managing colic. (If you love unsolicited advice, you’re in luck, mama-to-be. It’s endless.) You’ve probably given up your favorite sushi order, switched your go-to coffee routine, and spent way too much time Googling “is this normal?” at 2 a.m. It’s a lot, and it’s no wonder if you feel like you have kind of… gone missing in all of it.
That’s why carving out solo time isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself, on your own terms. Your body’s working overtime, your brain is juggling a million baby-related thoughts, and you’re still expected to show up for other people like you’re not building a whole human from scratch. Whatever gives your brain (and body) a breather? Go for it.
This matters even more if you’re already the go-to person for emotional support or household logistics. The one who remembers birthdays, packs lunches, or keeps the household from turning into a slow-moving disaster. Being the emotional load-bearer is exhausting even on a good day, let alone when your organs are being rearranged. You deserve space that doesn’t require you to be “on.”
Take the time. Ask for it. Protect it. Because claiming solo time isn’t indulgent—it’s how you stay grounded when everything else, including your body, feels like it’s no longer just yours.
Doing Something That Feels Like You
Pregnancy can make your whole identity feel like it’s getting a major renovation. Your hobbies, routines, and favorite jeans are stuck in the distant past, and it may seem like you’re disappearing into prenatal appointments, baby prep, and registry checklists. If you’re feeling like your entire identity is being swallowed whole by on-the-horizon motherhood, you’re not alone.
That’s why it’s so important to do something that reminds you of who you are outside of baby mode. It doesn’t have to be a heavy lift. It could be as simple as rereading a favorite book, taking your pup on a solo walk, or finally watching the show everyone’s been talking about (water cooler, here you come).
This isn’t about “being productive” or prepping for baby—it’s about reconnecting with the version of you who existed before the to-do list exploded. That person still matters. They’re still in there. And nurturing that version of you now? It’s a seriously empowering way to enter motherhood and nip resentments in the bud.
Saying No to Things That Don’t Serve You
One of the weirdest (and most aggravating) parts of pregnancy is that everyone seems to have a lot of opinions—about your body, your plans, your registry, even how you should “celebrate” Mother’s Day. Add that to the fact that your time, energy, and physical comfort are already stretched thin… saying yes to everything can trigger anxiety and overwhelm.
But you’re allowed to say no: to plans, to people, to expectations, to anything that doesn’t feel good or helpful right now. Don’t feel like making small talk at a crowded family get together? Skip it. Don’t want to spend your one free afternoon running errands or hosting guests? Hard pass. Don’t have the energy to explain your boundaries for the zillionth time? That’s okay, too.
Saying no isn’t about being rude or ungrateful. It protects your very real need for space, rest, and peace of mind during a time when your body and brain are already doing the most. You’re not being difficult—opting out can be a radical act of self-care.
Letting People Celebrate You (on Your Terms)
You might not feel like a mom yet—no diapers, no overnight feedings, no baby to snuggle—but you’re already doing the work. Your body is showing up every day to grow a brand new human, and that absolutely counts. You deserve to be recognized for that.
That said, being celebrated shouldn’t feel like another thing to manage. If someone wants to honor you this Mother’s Day, let them! But let it be your kind of celebration. Maybe that means a sweet card and some takeout on the couch. Maybe it’s a low-key afternoon nap in gloriously stretchy pants. Maybe it’s breakfast in bed and a “hey, you’ve got this” text that hits you in all the feels.
You don’t need to plan something big, look a certain way, or pretend to enjoy a fussy event just because it’s Mother’s Day. You get to set the tone. And the people who love you? They’ll be more than happy to show up in whatever way makes you feel seen and cared for.
Wrapping It Up (Before You Go Take That Nap)
Mother’s Day while you’re pregnant can feel a little strange—you’re technically not “momming” full-time yet, but you’re already carrying so much (physically, emotionally, all of it). And that deserves recognition. But don’t let expectations—yours or anyone else’s—shape how you spend the day.
Quick List: How to Actually Recharge This Mother’s Day
- Rest that feels like rest—no pressure, no guilt, no folding laundry while you “relax.”
- Solo time—because your body and brain are already being shared with enough people.
- Something that feels like you—not baby prep, just joy for the sake of it.
- A few well-placed “no’s”—skip anything that drains you.
- A celebration (or not!) on your terms—you’re already a mom, even if no one’s calling you that yet.
Questions?
Strolleria is dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents.
If you have more questions, feel free to email us at cs@strolleria.com
