Pregnant at christmas

Pregnant At Christmas: A Survival Guide

You’ve decked the halls with boughs of holly (or tinsel).

The living room furniture has been squished into one corner of the room to make way for the oversized Christmas tree.

It can only mean one thing. Christmas is upon us.

As Andy Williams famously sang: It’s a most wonderful time of the year.

Of course, Andy Williams probably never spent it pregnant.

If he had, he’d know the festive period can feel a lot more like hard work, when all you want to do is nap.

If the thought of endless office parties, Christmas shopping, and family get-togethers makes you want to hibernate until it’s all over, this survival guide is for you.

Don’t forget, you can get away with a lot when you’re pregnant. What better time to exploit it than at Christmas?

Here are 10 top tips to help you survive the Christmas season with a bun in the oven:

#1: Avoid Over Scheduling

Christmas is such a busy time of year. Your diary rapidly fills with dinners and nights out with various friends you haven’t seen for months.

There are plenty of family parties and celebratory gatherings with work colleagues. And, before you know it, you’re fully booked and in desperate need of a night off.

You don’t have to say yes to every event, just pick the ones you really want to go to. Aim to keep one night free each weekend in December so you can rest if you need to.

Growing a baby is tiring work, so don’t put extra pressure on yourself, trying to keep up with everybody else. You don’t need to be busy, busy, busy just because it’s Christmas.

#2: Don’t Be Afraid To Cancel Plans

If you have overfilled your social calendar, don’t be afraid to back out of plans if you need to. Nobody likes a flaky friend, but being pregnant is a perfectly valid excuse for skipping things.

You’re likely to be more exhausted than usual and might even find yourself feeling run down at times. If you aren’t really up to doing something, be honest and say so. Your friends and family will understand you need to take a step back.

#3: Treat Yourself To Some Maternity Pyjamas

New pyjamas pretty much say ‘Christmas’, don’t they? There’s nothing better than snuggling up in front of the television on Christmas Eve and watching a festive movie.

You probably don’t fit into many of your usual pyjamas right now, and those you can squeeze into might be feeling a little tight.

As a Christmas treat, invest in a new pair of maternity pyjamas that are roomy enough to feel comfortable while you’re lounging on the sofa.

#4: Make It Special

This will be your last Christmas before the new baby. If this is your first baby, it will be your last Christmas as a couple. Just the two of you.

Of course you’re excited to become a ‘proper’ family, but there’s nothing wrong with admitting it will be an adjustment to go from two to three.

So make this Christmas count. Organise some special couple activities, such as dinners out, long walks, and trips to the cinema so you can soak up this last ‘Christmas for two’.

If this isn’t your first baby, you’re still about to experience a shift in the family dynamic. Make this year count by focusing on building special memories and sharing experiences as a family. Spoil your kids with the things that really matter – love, time and affection.

#5: Reduce Your Travel Time

Nobody wants to spend ages stuck in a car at Christmas, especially not pregnant women. It doesn’t matter what stage of pregnancy you’re at, or whether you’re battling nausea or backache, you don’t want to sit in a car for hours on end.

Travelling is tiring work. Try to keep it to a minimum this year. Invite people over to visit you, or simply reduce the number of people you see during the Christmas period.

#6: Embrace Convenience

You don’t have to do things the way you’ve always done. In fact, you should aim to embrace as many shortcuts as you can.

Usually make your own gravy from scratch? Forget that – you’re pregnant. Always make each and every Christmas card by hand? Not this year – you’re pregnant. Throw an annual Christmas Eve party for your entire family? Nope, it’s someone else’s turn – you’re pregnant.

Scale it back to the things you really want to do. Anything you think might be too time consuming, too tiring or too much hard work – just forget it. It’s only one year, and it doesn’t matter if things are a little different. What really matters is you’re taking care of yourself and your baby.

#7: Get Some Fancy Drinks In

Just because you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean you are only allowed to drink water (although you should drink plenty of it). You might not be drinking alcohol during pregnancy, but you can still enjoy some festive tipples.

Indulge your creative side by throwing together some fancy mocktails. Stock the fridge with sparkling fruit juices to enjoy when it’s time for the champagne.

If you’re going to a house party, take a bottle of something exciting with you so you’re not stuck drinking tap water all evening.

#8: Avoid Your Exposure To Drunken People

People who are drunk are fun. They have hilarious banter, fabulous dance moves, and exquisite conversational skills.

That is, when you are one of them. When you’re sober, drunken people are the worst company.

They get right into your personal space, and they are way too ‘touchy-feely’. Their voices tend to get very high-pitched. And it’s even more annoying when you’re pregnant, and people who’ve had one too many are manhandling your bump, while drunkenly telling you horror stories about childbirth.

People often overindulge in drink at Christmas. When they do, step away! Go home, put your feet up, and spend time with people who aren’t breathing fumes in your face.

#9: Eat Whatever The Heck You Want

Forget tradition! New rule. Pregnant women can eat whatever they want, whenever they want. If you choose to skip the turkey, and have gherkins dipped in chocolate spread for Christmas dinner, then go ahead.

Probably best if you don’t try to convince the rest of the party to join you though. The chocolate gherkin is an acquired taste, and not everyone is sophisticated (read: pregnant) enough to enjoy it.

#10: Make The Most Of The Extra Attention

If you’re still in the early stages of pregnancy, you might not have told many people the news. But those who know will probably be happy to wait on you hand and foot.

If you’re further along, you’ll have friends and family members fighting amongst themselves so they can offer you their seat, get you a drink, and let you choose what channel to have on TV.

Make the most of it while it lasts. Remember that next year, to be the centre of attention, you’ll be competing with (and losing to) a baby. This is your year, so enjoy it while you can.

Accept all the help and support you are offered. You deserve it. It’s hard work growing a new human being.

Merry Christmas!

11 ways to enjoy Christmas when you're pregnant

1. Switch drinks

There is no way to know exactly how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Doctors advise that you should not drink alcohol at all during pregnancy. While this might make the festive season a little more challenging, why not try one of our mocktail recipes to keep your spirits high?

You'll also need to keep an eye on what you eat. And pregnancy tiredness may mean that you don't have the same staying power that you're used to during the party season.

That doesn't mean you can't have fun and enjoy yourself though! These ideas will help you enjoy the festive season, while taking good care of yourself and your unborn baby.

2. Eat little and often

Give your body the chance to digest smaller meals. That way you'll be able to enjoy festive food without suffering from indigestion or heartburn later on. You may also find that some of the richer foods associated with Christmas, such as mince pies and Christmas pudding, make indigestion worse.

3. Take the plunge

If a hectic schedule gets too much and you find yourself getting tense, take some time out. If you can, go for a swim. The exercise won't just help you feel brighter and more relaxed, it will also help you get fitter ahead of giving birth.

4. Pace yourself

Christmas is always a hectic time and tiredness in pregnancy is a common problem. Try to plan ahead as much as possible and lower your expectations. It doesn’t matter if you don’t buy the perfect gifts this year. Don't put yourself under pressure to rush around at work or at home.

5. Take time out to relax

You need to take regular breaks if you are going to get through the Christmas madness. Put your feet up and download that film you’ve been meaning to watch, or catch up on your favourite blogs. Or why not start that book you've been intending to read? Remember, it is a holiday, so it's fine to pamper yourself.

6. Go easy on the Christmas shopping

Being on your feet for long periods is tiring. If you enjoy the Christmas shopping experience by browsing for yourself in stores, do your research online and have a clear list before heading out. And do all your grocery shopping online, in plenty of time to get what you want.

7. Catch up on sleep

If this is your first pregnancy, allow yourself the luxury of some long lie-ins. Many women feel very tired during pregnancy, so rest when you can. Next year, when your baby's here, lie-ins won't be so easy to come by!

8. Accept help

Let someone else peel the sprouts, vacuum the living room or load the dishwasher, if they offer to help. And if you have visitors at Christmas, make sure they do their share. You may find it hard to ask for or accept help, but do try. You are going to need help when your baby’s born, so practise now!

9. Drink water

It's easy to forget to keep your fluid levels topped up when you're rushing around or are out of your usual routine. Make sure you always have some water to hand.

10. Pamper yourself

Massage your neck and back to relieve tension, play some seasonal music, relax in a warm bath. You'll be full of peace and goodwill before you know it!

11. Be prepared

Make sure you know who to call if you become worried about anything over the holidays. If you haven't already, add the numbers of your midwife, GP and the local maternity ward to your phone contact list. Make sure your partner or best friend has done the same.

I'm pregnant: what can I eat for Christmas?

Parties and family celebrations, business lunches or dinners, meetings with friends... Christmas is a time of celebration at tables served with delicacies, special dishes, typical or exceptional dishes. Constant temptation. But, if you are pregnant, stay vigilant, follow a diet, maintain the weight recommended by the gynecologist, and give up "forbidden" foods.

During the Christmas holidays, temptations increase and self-perception decreases with regards to long after-dinner meals that showcase culinary whims.

But we must be clear: no matter how much we want to "repeat", we must take care of our diet and control the food we eat, the amount, the frequency... for our own good and that of our child.

Is a day a day?

Don't listen to those who tell you that "a day is a day" or that "drinking won't do anything."

Let's start with the fact that Christmas is not one day, it's almost two weeks of celebration, from Christmas Eve to Three Kings, to Christmas and New Year.

Avoid large meals, maintain regularity in daily meals and drink water properly; but if you indulge and eat a little more than necessary, make up for it with a good walk and a balanced diet.

The parade of dishes begins: from appetizers to desserts.

You enter the family home and the first thing you find is a table with trays of nuts, cheese, sausages, various snacks. .. and after the three or four courses that make up the Christmas menu, a parade of desserts with syrups. starts, nougat, roscones, mantecados ..., they are all very high-calorie foods.

You need to take care of yourself because being overweight during pregnancy can put your health and that of your baby at risk.

During pregnancy, too much weight gain is harmful to both the mother and the unborn baby.

Joints and bones of pregnant women suffer.
Increased risk of developing gestational diabetes and, in the long term, diabetes.
Difficulties in childbirth are aggravated if the fetus becomes too large.
In the long term, the child may have greater risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, diabetes, etc.

What not to eat if you are pregnant (even at Christmas)

If you are pregnant, no matter how much you want to be, avoid canapés, meals and desserts that contain or may contain unpasteurized dairy products, raw meat or fish, or which you are not sure has been cooked at high temperatures.

Say "no" Even if your mother or father cooks and cooks and serves it every year:

For ham and sausages.
To salmon and other smoked fish.
For caviar, lump caviar, etc.
For oysters, raw seafood, sushi, etc.
To raw meat or fish carpaccio.
For undercooked meat.
Foie and pates.
For cheeses, sauces and desserts made from raw milk (unpasteurized).

By eliminating these products, we want to avoid diseases such as listeriosis, toxoplasmosis or salmonella, because they can affect your child's development and harm him, as well as seriously affect his health.

Maybe cava toast, wine?

Not at Christmas or any other time: if you are pregnant, do not drink a single drop of alcohol.

It may be difficult to speak directly, but you should refuse an invitation to toast with a glass of wine, champagne or liquor because any amount of alcohol can be dangerous and cause serious harm to your child.

Also do not drink:

“Drinks without” because they may contain alcohol, even if it is not indicated on the label.
Carbonated soft drinks because they are high in sugar.
Tea, coffee, cola, because caffeine can harm your child's health.

Let him imagine: fresh water flavored with a piece of fruit and a few drops of lemon, pomegranate, orange or other fruit can be a great refreshment and something special during Christmas dinners.

Women's gynecologists and nutritionists can advise you on how to eat healthy, always considering your needs and food tastes.

Remember that knowing how to maintain an adequate diet is essential to having a successful pregnancy, helping your baby develop properly, and caring for her future health.

What NOT to eat at Christmas if you are pregnant

If you are pregnant, you should be especially careful about what you should or should not eat at Christmas. Because the tables at these parties are filled with food, which in this state can pose a serious danger to your health and the health of the child. In addition to being very much in control of what you eat, you have to be very strict with quantity and eat in moderation .

Because we are not talking about a complete rejection of any food that is not included in the diet for pregnant women. But you need to choose what you eat well, and do it in moderation. Since the health consequences can be very devastating for the many excesses that are committed at these parties. Especially for pregnant women who are at a time when certain foods must be excluded from the diet.

Index

1 What should not eat on Christmas
- 1.1 in snacks and first dishes
- 1.2 meat
- 1.3 Christmas sweets and desserts

During these parties, you will have to encounter many tables filled up appetizing and appetizing food. Something that will surely put your will to the test, something that must be made of iron right now. Because these overeating can be dangerous to health at any stage of life, but much more so during pregnancy. Since the risks are not only for themselves, but also baby's health is also under threat .

First, gaining too much weight at parties is a real risk. Since on average at Christmas parties people gain from 2 to 4 kilograms. A very high figure, considering that it increases over several days. For women who spend holidays in good shape, these kilograms can be even more. And for a scene where weight gain needs to be fully controlled by , that's saying too much.

On the other hand, at Christmas feasts they serve foods that are not normally eaten during the year . Products that are contraindicated for pregnant women for many reasons. Here we will tell you what foods and what not to eat at Christmas. Take note and choose carefully what you eat this holiday season.

Starters and entrees

Seafood and cold cuts will not go unnoticed at large Christmas feasts and are served as an appetizer or main course. In this case, the seafood itself is not prohibited, unless it was well cooked. And you shouldn't take fish in brine or raw meat sausages like salami. Also avoid unpasteurized cheeses and sweets made with meringue, as it is made with raw egg.

Meat

When the meat is well cooked, the main risk - toxoplasmosis - is eliminated. Therefore, if you are going to eat meat, it is important that it is not brine or raw, such as carpaccio. However, if it is very fatty meat, it is not advisable to take a large amount of . First, because it can cause stomach problems, such as indigestion. On the other hand, because excess fat will make you put on unwanted pounds.

Christmas sweets and desserts

If you have a sweet tooth, this is where you will face the biggest problem during Christmas feasts. After all, on any table you cannot miss a tray with an assortment of ice cream, nougat and typical sweets of that time. On the other hand, sweets are full of sugar.