Being pregnant over Christmas need not mean missing out on all the fun and festivities. Here are our top tips for enjoying Christmas celebrations during your pregnancy:
Feast, don't fast – The biggest draw of Christmas is often the Christmas food. When you are pregnant, it is not necessary to deny yourself any of your favorites. Go ahead and dig into the roast turkey, pile your plate with carrots, potatoes, and sprouts, and relish the Christmas pudding...
Just ensure that the turkey is cooked right through to avoid the possibility of salmonella infection, and that the pudding does not contain nuts if you are allergic. Stay away from cocktails and desserts containing raw eggs and keep away from shellfish and the cheese board.
Stress You Up – Christmas can bring along with it a whole new set of things to stress about.
From gift lists and shopping, to cooking and cleaning, keep in mind that you are pregnant and no one expects you to do it all. Enlist as much help as possible and take little rest breaks throughout the day to keep you going, as stress also affects the baby.
If Christmas falls in your third trimester, you may be suffering from water retention, swollen ankles and high blood pressure. Standing around at parties or in the mall can aggravate these conditions significantly. Put your feet up during the day and raise your legs above your chest to reduce swelling.
Christmas lists – Christmas shopping when you are pregnant can be a nightmare. The crowds and the pushing can make you anxious and the last minute rush only stresses you out. This year, be prepared and plan your Christmas lists in advance. Even better, shop online and have all the presents packed and delivered to you well in time. If people want to know what they should buy you for Christmas, there are some lovely gifts that you could ask them for. The best Christmas gifts during your pregnancy include the usual suspects such as maternity wear, accessories, perfume, and cosmetics. For the more adventurous or creative, gifts like a spa voucher, a scrapbook kit and album for when the baby is born, a camera, or even a rocking chair are things you will continue to treasure long after Christmas is over.
Joy to the World – Joy to the World! If you haven’t announced your pregnancy, your Christmas card may be the ideal way to inform your family and friends. There are several websites with wonderful options and suggestions on combining Christmas greetings with baby announcements. You could use greetings such as “Our Christmas gift will be opened in June next year! Best Wishes from …”
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