Research-backed
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Being pregnant can be a bit of a hassle for most women, considering all the mood swings, nausea, and other discomforts that come along with it. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to stay away from all the fun associated with the end-of-the-year festivities, especially Christmas. Taking part in all the joyous traditions during the holiday would definitely help lift up your spirits and relieve you from all the physical and mental stress that may come with being pregnant. Below we have listed out all the ways you can enjoy Christmas and make it extra special.
1. Skip Alcoholic Drinks
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Christmas is not complete without a few glasses of wine. However, women who are expecting are generally advised not to indulge in alcoholic beverages as it can affect the unborn child (1). Since there is no safe amount, it is best to avoid alcoholic drinks throughout the pregnancy. This Christmas, instead, you could go for something non-alcoholic but equally enjoyable, such as a delicious mocktail of your choice.
2. Watch What You Eat
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Holidays make you want to gorge on everything on the menu. Nevertheless, you may want to keep an eye on what you eat while you are pregnant. This stage comes with occasional digestive issues such as heartburn, indigestion, and nausea (2) (3). Rich foods such as meatballs with gravy and Christmas pudding can aggravate your indigestion. So it is best that you avoid dairy-based products and food that is extra spicy. Also, make sure you have smaller portions at regular intervals. That way, your body can easily digest the food without causing you any discomfort. Keeping yourself hydrated is also important. While all the chaos and craziness may cause you to forget your usual routine, make it a point to have some form of fluid at regular intervals.
3. Relax
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It is easy to get carried away by all the fervor and frenzy during the holiday. However, make sure that you are getting enough rest in between. Take some time off, sit back, and relax. You could use this time to catch up on your favorite show or read a book. If the hustle and bustle of the holiday starts to wear you down, take some time for yourself. You could draw a warm bath, light a scented candle, and relax for a while. Or you could also ask your partner to give you a good massage!
4. Accept Help From Others
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Although taking part in the celebrations is completely alright, don’t shy away from offers of help that come your way. Make sure you don’t overexert yourself this Christmas and leave all the hard work to others. If you are not far away from the due date, let your family do all the cooking. If you wish to participate in the festivities but don’t want to overexert yourself, you could start by decorating the tree, helping assemble the gingerbread houses, or wrapping the presents. Remember that you won’t be able to enjoy the holiday if you end up feeling exhausted.
5. Plan Your Christmas Shopping
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While it’s fun to shop for Christmas, don’t tire yourself out by standing for long hours. So, go easy on shopping this year and plan ahead on what you’re gonna need. You could also look for stores online so that it becomes easy on your feet. Shopping online is also another great way to get what you need without too much work.
6. Get Enough Sleep
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Sleep is crucial during pregnancy. So make sure the over excitement over the festive season doesn’t keep you awake at night. Go to bed at a fixed time every day, and make sure you follow that routine throughout your pregnancy. If all the excitement may push you to stay up late, try not to make it a regular thing. Also, it is important to balance out those lost hours of sleep by taking a nap during the day. Lack of sufficient sleep and rest during pregnancy can make you tired and cranky.
7. Stay Prepared
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This is crucial. Make sure you have everything ready during this festive season in case of an emergency. You don’t want to run around looking for your doctor’s number, should you need one urgently. Have the contact of your doctor, midwife, and the local hospital saved on your and your partner’s phone.
Pregnancy doesn’t have to be the reason for you to skip the festivities, provided you take care of yourself. Share your story of how you celebrated Christmas while expecting in the comments section below.
