Pregnancy During the Holidays: 5 Things to Avoid
So, your bundle of joy will not make an appearance until after the New Year. This means you’ll be dealing with your pregnancy during the holidays-— adding another stressor to the already hectic time of parties, cooking and holiday shopping.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
By taking our advice and avoiding these five things, you’ll be able to enjoy the season and your pregnancy during the holidays.
Avoid These 5 Things For Your Pregnancy During the Holidays
1. Avoid Excessive Stress
Did you know that stress can affect your baby?
According to the March of Dimes, excessive, unrelenting stress can contribute to conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure—which can make things difficult for the fetus.
Thankfully, stress can be managed.
How To Manage Holiday Stress
We offer these suggestions:
- Focus on what is truly important during the holidays.
This may be time with family and friends or religious observances. Remember that the holidays are not all about presents or parties. By focusing on the positive, you can realize that it doesn’t matter if you can’t find that perfect present or if the turkey turned out a bit dry.
- As much as possible, try to plan ahead.
Waiting until the last possible moment can pile on the stress. Get help if you need it.
- Try meditation and relaxation techniques.
You may be surprised by the positive effects of meditation.
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone you trust.
This may be a member of the clergy, a close friend, partner or even a professional therapist.
2. Avoid Overindulging in Holiday Treats
According to research from the Cleveland Clinic, consuming excessive sugar can cause the baby to have cognitive challenges. You must also carefully manage your sugar intake if you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This can be especially challenging with your pregnancy during the holidays.
Remember that an unhealthy diet can also place you at greater risk of gaining too much weight during your pregnancy. (If you’re not sure of how much weight you should gain, we’ve compiled this useful article )
Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to totally abstain from your holiday favorites. Just treat yourself in moderation.
3. Avoid Insomnia
We understand. It can be hard to sleep with heartburn, constipation, running to the bathroom and other annoying aspects of pregnancy, but sleep is vital to your health and helps you feel refreshed and alert. You need your rest. Remember, you’re making a human being!
If sleep still eludes you, or if you’re having continual problems getting some shut eye, don’t take prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids without speaking to us first. We’ll help you find a safe and effective solution that’s perfect for both mother and baby.
4. Avoid Sedentary Lifestyle
We get it. The holidays are a time to relax and unwind. It’s great to take a break from work or school and spend more time with family. This is particularly easy to do if you’re pregnant.
But don’t let your exercise routine fall by the wayside.
Maintaining an active lifestyle is so helpful for a variety of reasons. Not sure which exercises are safe to do while pregnant? We go into greater detail with useful information in our earlier blog, “What Kinds of Exercises Are Safe During Pregnancy?”
5. Absolutely Avoid Alcohol
We want to be very clear that there is no “safe” amount of alcohol that is alright for your baby. This should be one of the most important things you realize with your pregnancy. Don’t be tempted to indulge.
But not indulging in a holiday drink doesn’t mean you can’t find celebratory alternatives. Ask about “mocktails” or opt for sparking water or juices (just be sure to monitor how much sugar goes into punch or juice drinks). While sodas are frequently presented as an option at holiday parties, be aware that many of these contain caffeine and loads of sugar.
Associates in Women’s Healthcare: Helping You Throughout the Holidays—and the Rest of the Year
Holidays are special. With your pregnancy during the holidays, this can provide an additional layer of joy, reminding you about what makes the holidays so important: the love of family and friends.
We’ll answer all your questions about how to manage your pregnancy during the holidays, including providing a health care plan that addresses your individual needs.
Of course, we’ll be there for you long after the tree has been taken down and the candles extinguished. We believe wellness is a year-long endeavor, and as women caring for women, we have been the leading OBGYNs in Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle areas. See why we’ve been the OBGYNs in Raleigh who are the providers of choice.
We would love the opportunity to care for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
