Christmas is a special time of the year, which is even more remarkable for a pregnant woman. She is full of unique emotions, knowing she will be celebrating with her baby next year. If she is expecting her first baby, these feelings are, of course, even more intense.
Pregnant at Christmas
For a first time mom, the feelings of Christmas joy, happiness, and excitement are mixing with a bit of anxiety about next Christmas with a new family member.
She is thinking about this Christmas, which is the last one without children, but her thoughts often drift away to the next one too. Will the preparations for next Christmas be more stressful? Will I be able to cope with everything, etc.? But on the other hand, she is enthusiastic about next Christmas with her baby. She is already thinking about the joy of a child decorating a Christmas tree, baking cookies, and spending time with her family.
Christmas with a baby will not be the same, that’s for sure! Once you become a parent, like everything else in your life, the holiday season change as well.
Thoughts of a perfectly decorated table and top-quality homemade dishes that we indulge in just for Christmas are slowly fading at the thought of when and how to make dinner to keep the baby in good spirits.
But at the end of the day, Christmas with a baby is even better and more magical! Yes, probably it’s a little more chaotic at times, but there is nothing better than a smile on a child’s face.
The baby in the belly participates in the mother’s life and perceives the environment in which she will be born. Meaning, she is feeling the mom’s Christmas joy!
After all, our happiness releases endorphins and other happiness hormones, which pass through the placenta. Enjoy, celebrate, and talk to your baby in your womb. She might already hear you! Hearing your voice makes her even happier and also gives you a sense of connection to your baby.
Ways to enjoy Christmas when you’re pregnant
1. Keep an eye on what you eat and drink!
Continue with a healthy pregnancy diet as much as you can. Of course, you can have a dessert or two, but be careful not to eat potentially dangerous foods for pregnant women. And do not drink alcohol! There is no healthy amount of alcohol during pregnancy.
However, it is important to stay hydrated, so make sure you are drinking enough water.
An essential part of Christmas baking is cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. These spices can trigger premature birth in certain circumstances. But don’t worry! To trigger premature birth, you would need to eat about 100 cinnamon stars a day.
2. Eat smaller portions and more often
Constipation and heartburn are common pregnancy problems, so give your body the time to digest. Enjoy festive food without overeating and avoid foods that cause digestive problems.
3. Plan ahead
Tiredness is a regular companion of pregnant women, so plan ahead and don’t overdo it with Christmas preparations.
Gradual Christmas preparations are more relaxed and do not make you nervous and tired. Don’t put yourself under pressure and lower your expectations. Not everything has to be perfect! Just enjoy!
4. Pamper yourself and let others pamper you!
Relax, take regular breaks, and accept help! And if it is your first pregnancy, take advantage of the luxury of sleeping.
No matter if it is Christmas or any other time of the year, pregnancy requires a sufficient amount of rest! Holiday season excitement can force you to stay up late. There is nothing wrong with that, of course, but try to make up for it by napping during the day.
Also, do things you like, watch tv, read books, go on walks, etc. Oh, and leave the housework to someone else without a guilty conscience.
5. Do Christmas shopping online
If not ever, now is a good time to shop online. Settle on a comfortable armchair, wrap yourself in a warm blanket with a cup of hot tea on hand, and do your research online.
