5 Tips to Make the holiday season enjoyable during your pregnancy

Monday, December 20, 2021

If you’re pregnant during the holiday season, it can be a totally different experience, do what you can to make it easy. The holidays can be a challenging and stressful time, and adding pregnancy to the mix can make it a little more challenging. Pregnant women need to be extra cautious during the holidays, and have an additional rest breaks as they juggle extra time with family, friends and colleagues during the holidays.

Here are some tips for mom to keep baby and herself healthy during the holidays:

1-Take Care of Yourself
The holidays are busy, and it’s easy to get swept up in the moment. If you’re pregnant this holiday season, be sure to slow down and make time for yourself before your baby arrives. Prioritize sleep, take naps, and spend quality time with your partner and your family before you welcome your little one.
Don’t feel bad about declining an invitation or saying no. Be self-indulgent right now. Now is the time to start good self-care habits and make them stick. This is also a good time to consider your postpartum plan.
Take part in activities in this season that feed your soul – take a walk, get out in the sunshine, do something you love. Prioritize those things and put them on your calendar.
Know who your safe people are, and lean on them for support, when you’re feeling fearful or overwhelmed.

2-Strike a healthy balance in your diet
Eating a healthy diet is important for everyone, but it’s essential for pregnant women. Overeating and eating foods that you don’t usually consume can leave you feeling sick if you’re pregnant.
Instead, eat a nutritious balanced diet most of the time. There’s no need to deprive yourself of your favorite holiday treats, as long as you enjoy them in moderation. Remember that there are some foods you should avoid if you’re pregnant, including fermented cheese, sushi, and raw fish. Always keep water with you, as studies show an increase in water intake during pregnancy helps to avoid headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and cramping. Don’t forget, the dehydration can impede pregnancy nutrition, and continued dehydration can even reduce amniotic fluid levels.

3- Exercises
Move your body and do exercise, studies show increasing energy output each day, counteracts the sweet cravings many pregnant women get year-round, including the holiday season. The truth is, physical activity during pregnancy improves and maintains fitness, helps with weight management, and reduces the risk of gestational diabetes. Expectant moms should always check with their healthcare provider for exercise.

4- Rest
Your body will need more rest than you may think. While staying active during pregnancy is important for your health and your baby’s health, there is a safe limit for the amount of activity you can do. However, anything that makes you feel tired or too exhausted should be avoided. Take breaks at regular intervals to avoid feeling exhausted. Breaks also give you a chance to replenish your energy levels.

5- Have a plan if you’re traveling
Traveling while you’re pregnant is generally safe, particularly if your pregnancy isn’t high risk.
If you are flying long distances or traveling for hours in a car, make sure to stand up every couple of hours and get the blood circulating throughout your body. Whenever you can safely do so, try to put your feet up to avoid swelling in your ankles that can sometimes come with pregnancy.
Make sure you’re traveling with your latest prenatal records and your doctor’s contact information.

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