I love this article, particularly the one about hands off the bump! Read on......http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/11/19/the-top-10-ways-to-survive-the-holidays-while-pregnant/#.
The holidays are a joyful time to be pregnant, but with food, family, and fun comes a lot of fatigue (and more than a little stress). These tips will keep you feeling festive – and feeling healthy, calm, and rested.
Stay Hydrated
Keep a water bottle with you at all times – and top it off regularly. Sipping frequently keeps you well-hydrated which helps you feel better. It’s also important to your body and your baby. Dehydration can lead to stress, fatigue, and even pre-term labor.
Put Your Feet Up
You’ll probably have parties spanning the entire holiday season, not to mention shopping to do, presents to wrap, and loved ones to visit. All the hustle and bustle can be tiring for anyone – and downright exhausting when you’re pregnant. Make sure you’re getting the rest you need. Sneak in a nap before a big party. Put your feet up frequently and remember to give yourself a break!
Skip the Late Nights
Christmas parties and reunions can run well into the wee hours of the morning. It might be fun to stay up to ring in the New Year, but otherwise excuse yourself well before midnight. Building a baby is a hard job and the pre-midnight hours bring the highest quality rest and restoration for your body. Go to bed as early as you can get away with.
Let Somebody Else Entertain
Planning Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers can be really rewarding – and really stressful. Gracefully let someone else play hostess this year. You can offer to help with cleanup, but skip the stress of putting on the events..
Hands off the Bump
Everybody’s hands go towards a baby bump and things can quickly get overwhelming (and downright rude) at a party or crowded event. Have a “no hands” policy for your bump. Smile and turn aside if someone swoops in, commenting that you’re really tender from all those baby kicks.
Nod and Smile
Pregnancy is a time for unsolicited advice. Add in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and you’re in for more than a few bits of unwanted wisdom. The best tactic is to simply nod and smile, thanking the person for their advice.
The exception to this rule is with birth stories. If someone launches their tale of a trauma-filled birth, politely interrupt them and ask them to share after the baby is born.
Eat Before the Festivities
Traditional holidays menus tend to be anything but natural foods. Condensed soups, white flour, and a whole host of additives are typically used for both appetizers and “holiday favorites” alike.
Make it a point to eat before you go out to holiday gatherings. Then you can enjoy a small plate or munch on a treat or two, knowing that you and your baby ate plenty of healthy food to carry you through the fun.
Forget the Shop Til You Drop
Tis the season for shopping, and all-night, on-your-feet madness is not good for you or your baby. Hostile fellow shoppers and high tension levels are exactly the opposite of what you want your baby exposed to.
Thankfully, things are a lot easier for pregnant moms today: sit down and let your mouse do the walking. Great deals can be had via online shopping, so shop Cyber Monday and sit out Black Friday.
Treat the Treats Right
Holiday events are often full of pastries, cakes, candies, and other sugar-laden goodies. Indulging in a treat once in awhile is just fine, but your baby needs you to fill up on nutrient-dense foods.
Enjoy sugary holiday treats here and there, but don’t go overboard on the sugar rush. Use the suggestion from above and eat a nutrient-dense meal before heading out to a gathering with a lot of holiday sweets.
Enjoy the Season
The tips from above and a little common sense will keep you and your baby happy during the holidays. Enjoy your friends and family and keep your eye on the real reasons for the holiday season. You and baby both get a boost of oxytocin (that’s “the love hormone”) when you’re enjoying friends, family, and fellowship – and that has benefits from now until your baby’s birth!
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