A Gentle Survival Guide for the expectant mum at Christmas

Christmas is such a lovely time of year and as you look forward to the arrival of your new little bundle of joy, it is also a time of reflection and happiness.

It is also a very busy time of year. Frantic shopping, late night partying, cooking, and entertainment is not conducive to a gentle, easy Xmas season for a pregnant mum. There is a need for extra self-care at a time when you are feeling more introspective and there is only so much energy for any given day. The pressure to produce an Instagram perfect Christmas can be overwhelming. Here are some gentle hints and advice on surviving Christmas as an expectant mum.

Avoiding that Pre-Christmas Madness

There is always pre-Christmas madness. It is so hard to avoid. Mayhem in the streets, in cafes, pubs, streets and wherever people gather in those frantic days before the big day itself. To keep a calm and easy vibe, you probably should actively avoid the places where you know there will be a melee of people. Saturday high streets with buskers, carol singers and all that hustle and bustle is not the best place to be. A zen approach to where the busiest pre-Christmas groupings and assess each trip out to see if you will be able for the experience. Even if your pregnancy is going well and you feel energised, it is important not to get caught up in pre-Christmas fever and over-do things.

Shop online

Christmas shop online for convenience. This will minimise the need for joining the hordes of panicking Christmas shoppers in crowded malls. Always choose a reputable website that has good reviews, ratings, and a reasonable delivery date. Note the website security on the site and never send card details by email or other messaging systems. A good online shop, like our own, www.babyaccessories.ie , will use credit cards and authentication when taking payment. Buying online is painless and easy when you choose the right online shop.

Take it easy with the decorations and preparations.

Only do as much as you can. There is no real need to deck ALL of the halls this year, and especially if you will end up exhausted. Lower your expectations for a picture-perfect festive season and put less emphasis on getting the outside lights up and more on getting your feet up! Downsize your whole Christmas and understand that your health, and that of your baby, is more important than the so-called perfect Christmas. 
 

Ask for help. 

Enlist the help of friends and family to complete any of those Christmas jobs that you are unable to do yourself. You will find that people are more than happy to make your festive season a pleasant and fun time. But they are busy too, so you will probably have to ask. Remember you will need help when the baby is born, so there is no harm in practising now. 

Glam up for booze free Xmas fun. 

Have fun and enjoy nights out. Dress up, glam up and enjoy Christmas parties and gatherings! Mocktails are a great way to enjoy the party spirit. You may want to leave a little earlier than usual. This could be partly due to pregnancy tiredness and partly due to being completely sober while the wine flows! It is wise to have an exit strategy worked out with partner, friends, and family so that the evening does not become too exhausting. 

Eating for Two.

There isa lot of extra food, and unusual food around at this time of year. Eating a little more often is a good maxim. It means you can enjoy festive food without suffering from heartburn or indigestion. Eat what you want, particularly as some of the richer foods associated with the season, like mince pies and Christmas pudding will no longer sit well. Caution may also be needed when presented with dishes containing cheese, fish, and pates. Pregnant women are advised to avoid ready-to-eat cold smoked fish or cured fish products, including smoked salmon, gravlax, and sushi because of the risk of listeria. Pates and cold cured meats are also on the list for the same reason. Check out the advice of the HSE before the party season and if necessary make sure you have a tasty alternative in the fridge for you to enjoy. There are still plenty of cheeses, like feta and hard cheeses, veg, turkey and chocolate to enjoy safely!

The big day and the days after

This is the year when you might consider visiting someone for dinner, rather than attempting to cook for the extended family. This is the year when Christmas day can be spent with gentle walks, good food and good company while someone else does the bulk of the work. Listen to your own body and rest when you need to. Swim, walk and take gentle exercise when you can. Pace yourself and take time out as you need. Once the pre-Christmas craziness gives way to the big day itself, a general sigh of relief can be heard all round, and a quieter time begins. 

The days following Christmas are perfectly designed for the expectant mother. Lots of leftovers for the family so you don’t need to cook. A respite from work and school drop offs. Good movies to watch and plenty of time for walks in nature. It's time to read books and sleep. Get lots and lots of sleep.