Enjoying the holidays while pregnant

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What’s the trick to savouring the holidays while pregnant? Slow down while everyone else is speeding through the season. Growing a healthy baby-to-be is your top priority, so let your friends and family know that parties, marathon shopping sessions, and long-distance travel will be taking a backseat this year.

Here are some laidback ways to celebrate the season for all the expectant mamas who’ll be pregnant at Christmas:

Make the holidays about you. Especially if this is your first baby. After you become a mum, your little one(s) will be the main focus this time of year (well, all the time, really). So spend the holidays while pregnant doing what makes you happy, whether it’s cuddling on the couch with your hubby or hitting the cineplex to catch the latest flick. Be self-indulgent now - before you have a little someone who’ll need your constant indulging (at least for those first few months).

Sleep, sleep, and sleep some more. Getting the shut-eye you need isn’t easy with heartburn and bathroom runs interrupting your precious z’s. So on weekends and holidays, snooze when you can. Sleep late, take naps in the afternoon, or turn in early when it suits you - without feeling as if you should be partying hard or getting up early to battle the airport security lines.

Get some holiday help. Your loved ones want you to take care of yourself, so let them help you do just that. Take a backseat on the chores and cleaning this year - don’t feel guilty if others clear the table or wash the dishes more often than you do. If you don’t feel comfortable camping out on the couch, pitch in in spurts and take frequent feet-up breaks. Or volunteer to keep the littlest guests engaged by reading them a story (good practice for later) or playing a quiet circle game. Running yourself ragged over the holidays while pregnant won’t do anyone any favours, so take it easy - you deserve it.

Pace yourself. Even if you give most of those holiday to-dos the heave-ho, you’ll still need to buy gifts, get them wrapped, decorate a bit, and maybe bake a batch of cookies. Avoid wearing yourself out when you’re pregnant at Christmas by tackling your to-do list early and focusing on one or two manageable tasks at a time. That way, you’ll accomplish your goals without getting frazzled or fried.

Eat, drink, and be merry. Moderation is the key to enjoying the treats of the season if you’re pregnant at Christmas. So yes, you’ll need to skip the spiked eggnog and turn down the champagne, but there are still ways to indulge in the holiday spirit - and the goodies - without overdoing it. Have a mock-tail or a mug of mulled cider, and don’t deprive yourself of your mum’s biscuits or Grandma’s famous reindeer cookies. But keep a balance - make time (and leave room) for eating well during pregnancy, which you and your growing baby really need right now.

Here’s to making the most of the holiday season during pregnancy and beyond.

Source: What to Expect