Your Guide This Christmas
It's Christmas Eve and as we enjoyed time with friends last night at my husbands annual Christmas party I though about what a difference one year has made, and how Christmas already feels a little different while pregnant. We had a blast at the party
as always, but our late night out wasn't so late, and we both seem to prefer the comfort of being home together more than anything else these days.
As we prepare for the holidays, me being pregnant for the first time, I made sure to set some limits and prepare a bit differently. Here are some tips and tricks to get through a joyful Christmas holiday and feel your best while pregnant!
Tips & Tricks for a Pregnant Christmas
Eat in smaller doses instead of one giant meal, but eat more often. Eating this way guarantees you still get plenty of food, but allows your body the proper time to digest it all.
Snack on healthy things. It's Christmas and it's ok to enjoy some cookies and sweet treats but don't overdue it. Veggies with hummus or guacamole, nuts, seeds, and low sugar fruits make great snacks and are just as yummy. You can even try mixing some things together for a sweet holiday trail mix.
Chartruice boards are in! But maybe not for you if you're pregnant. Remember to avoid any cold lunch meats even if they are wrapped as pretty flowers, and no unpasteurized cheeses either. This means say no to those fancy goat cheeses, brie, and feta cheeses decorating the board.
I know it's cold, but bundle up and go for a quick walk at some point during the day. Bring the family along! Everyone can benefit from burning off those Christmas cookie calories. Thirty minutes a day is a great goal and helps you stretch out stiff muscles.
Take a break too. If you are feeling exhausted, relax. Cable and streaming services are filled with holiday movies and your local library probably has tons of holiday reads on display just waiting for you to check them out. So prop those feet up for better blood circulation and give your body a rest on a comfy couch with your favorite Christmas movie or book.
Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided during pregnancy, however that doesn't mean you can't celebrate with something fancy! Checkout some fun pregnancy friendly holiday beverages in my blog post, Christmas Mocktails for Pregnant Mamas. I'd recommend a favorite, but they were all so good it was impossible to choose.
Let others help! You are strong, but that doesn't mean you need to do it all! Assign a close loved one or friend the job of designated present carrier. Ask another for help to deliver drinks and snacks to your guests in another room. And I'm sure asking for a helping hand to clean up at the end of the night would be of no trouble to many of your guests.
Spoil yourself with a nice bubble bath, the morning before festivities begin, or after all the activity has commenced. Add some epsom salt and natural peppermint essential oil to your bath to add that holiday feel. Peppermint essential oil is also known to reduce headaches and help with both nausea and muscle aches. BONUS!
These are just a few of the many things you can do to make this holiday another year to remember, but I didn't want you to miss out on too many festivities, so I kept the list short and sweet.
Is there anything special you do during the holidays while pregnant or are planning to try?! Leave a comment! Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the homepage to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on more exciting blog posts! Or Follow us on Instagram at @startedwithababy
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