Christmas can be a difficult time, if you are pregnant, for a number of reasons.
You might be feeling very tired and nauseous leading to a lack of enthusiasm for anything very much, least of all Christmas shopping! Take regular breaks from Christmas jobs like decorating, present wrapping, cake making etc.
Try to shop online to minimise the time trudging round the shops and delegate wherever possible.
You may not have told people about the pregnancy yet, which will bring interesting situations of its own. It can also be a worry knowing what is deemed safe to eat during pregnancy as, during the festive season, we often treat ourselves to things we wouldn’t have at any other time of the year.
Top problem – alcohol.
Even if you barely drink at all, Christmas tends to be the exception where you might have one drink with family or friends and declining these might raise suspicions. However, there are several options
- Say that you’re exploring the idea of ‘Sober Curious’. This is much more acceptable and widespread than you might think and saying that you’re doing this over the Christmas period could look like you’re really testing it to the max!
- Offer to make the drinks and just have a ‘No gin and tonic’, it looks the same and no one will know
- Go with a friend or partner who you can swap drinks with in between the sips, although they will have to be willing to be drinking double the amount!
- Designated driver?
If you’re missing the alcohol at home ask your partner to go alcohol free with you, have a look at what alcohol free substitutes are available such as ‘Nozeco’ or the very wide options for alcohol free gin or have a look at ‘Wise Bartender’ – the options are almost endless!
Foods
Eating little and often will be key, whatever trimester you are in. Christmas foods tend to be richer with higher fat and protein content, making them more difficult to digest, so take it easy and try not to overindulge. The routine advice of foods to avoid become more poignant at Christmas as we are more likely to treat ourselves – so remember to avoid:-
Raw or undercooked meat – no rare steak!
Pâté (including fish and vegetable pâté)
Game
Liver, fish oil and other foods containing high levels of vitamin A
Unpasteurised milk and dairy products
Undercooked ready meals
Unwashed, packaged salad
Let’s talk about Cheese!
Another thing we treat ourselves to at Christmas is cheese; here are a few simple guidelines to follow.
Cheeses that are safe to eat:
- all hard cheeses such as Cheddar and parmesan
- soft pasteurised cheeses such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta and halloumi
- goats' cheese without a rind (the white coating on the outside)
- processed cheese spreads.
Cheeses that are safe to eat steaming hot:
- soft unpasteurised cheeses
- soft cheeses with a rind
- soft blue cheeses.
Cheeses that should be avoided:
- mould-ripened soft cheeses with a rind (eaten cold), such as brie, camembert and chevre – these cheeses have more moisture, which can make it easier for bacteria to grow
- soft blue cheeses such as Danish blue, Gorgonzola and Roquefort
- soft goats' cheese.
Be careful eating shellfish. Avoid if possible but if you really fancy it then make sure it is well cooked. Do not eat raw shellfish.
Supermarket sushi is normally fine to eat. If it’s been made with raw fish, it will have been frozen first, making it safe to eat. If you make sushi yourself at home, make sure you freeze the fish for at least 4 days before using it.
Nuts are fine
Christmas Maternity Photo Shoot
Make the most of having a gorgeous baby bump at Christmas time, by capturing it forever in a Christmas themed maternity photo shoot. Book in with Nadine here at Naturally Baby
