1. Sing “Hot Cross Buns.” Start quietly, and get progressively louder. Hoo boy, that hour will fly by!
2. Grab your trusty sketch pad and draw caricatures of other patients and the receptionist. Be sure to ask them what their hobbies are, so you can include relevant accessories.
3. Engage your unborn baby in conversation. Remember not to talk about anything too controversial, like politics, as you don’t yet know where your baby stands on most issues.
4. Have a rest. Come prepared with eye mask, jammies, and sleeping bag, so you can really get a good power-nap in.
5. Play one of those improv games you learned in theatre school. Everybody loves those. Everybody? No, wait, nobody.
6. Have a snack. Oh, no! Don’t do that. Bad idea. Then you’ll have to start all over. Hahaha.
7. Draw on your background in mixology to dream up some delicious non-alcoholic party drinks involving that sugary orange liquid. Or, you know, alcoholic. For later.
8. Knit. Knit like you’ve never knit before! i.e., badly.
9. Make up an alter ego, complete with foreign accent, and introduce yourself to other patients in the waiting room. After about 20 minutes, change personalities and re-introduce yourself.
10. Bring a bag of flour and sprinkle it on the floor. Snow angel time!
11. Pull out a large stack of decorative paper squares and start folding intricate origami animals. Give each one a name, and pet it gently before crumpling it up and tossing it into the recycling.
12. Start writing long mathematical theorems on the walls, and when they call your name, say “But I’m so close! I’ve almost got it figured out!”
13. Braid your hair. When you’re done, braid everyone else’s.
14. Enjoy the preciousness of anticipating the arrival of your little miracle. Remember, you’ll never get this time back!

Photo Credit: haley8