Holiday Hacks for Pregnant Moms

Ready or not, the holiday season is here! This time of year brings so many opportunities for everything from building treasured memories to finding an amazing deal! Being pregnant during the holidays was one of my favorite parts of having a baby, so let’s talk about some holiday tips and tricks you can use if you’re expecting this holiday season. 

The holidays are the perfect time to participate in traditional, but pregnancy-themed, activities. Secret Santa, cookie exchanges, or white elephant parties are all fun ways to celebrate! If you know a group of other expectant parents, maybe from your childbirth education classes, building those relationships now will help you have a community of other parents to lean on for support when your babies are born. Plus, doing a Secret Santa with other pregnant friends is a fun way to feel special and cared for in the midst of this busy time of year. These little celebrations give you a moment to slow down and focus on you and your baby. And if you give it a “self-care” theme, then everyone will be reminded to take care of themselves even when the party is over

Maybe you want to make Christmas cards to send to everyone so they can celebrate this moment with you or maybe you just want to keep those photos for yourself! Either way, I encourage you to take them and cherish these special moments! If photos aren’t your thing, maybe you want to remember this time by making a belly cast of your pregnant bump. This is another super fun way to capture the beauty of the pregnancy in a way that allows you to look back in the years to come. This momento will be a reminder to be amazed by what you and your body were able to accomplish!

Everyone gets excited about shopping during the holidays and it’s a perfect time to do some maternity shopping, too! Look for deals on pregnancy massage, maternity clothes, postpartum support packages, or meal delivery services. Of course, your first stop at the North Pole should be Motif Medical! They will have hot deals this season and moms love their maternity supplies. Ask Santa to keep you healthy and comfortable from here through your postpartum recovery! 

With all the excitement that comes with the holidays, this time of year can also create new stresses (or bring up old ones). Creating and maintaining healthy boundaries with your family and friends during this season is always important, especially while you are pregnant. Stress hormones build up in our bodies and can contribute to pregnancy complications, so prioritizing self-care, being comfortable saying “no,” and practicing mindfulness during the holiday season are particularly important while you’re expecting. If you have a partner, it can be helpful to sit down and create a holiday plan, detailing which social engagements you plan to go to, who you will be buying gifts for, and what your budget is for each activity. You can also strategize how you’ll handle invitations that you want to decline or any potential difficulties that you think might come up along the way. Having a plan is a crucial component to navigating the holidays in a peaceful way! And remember: You are creating boundaries for both you and your baby. This is a good thing for both of you's long-term health! 

That’s a sign that your blood sugar levels were high from the carb and sugar content and when your body worked to bring them down to a normal level, they fell lower than they usually are. This up-and-down activity in your blood sugar makes you feel yucky and tired. You can help with this with one simple trick—eat protein first. When you’re at a party or a family gathering and you’re getting a snack that has a high sugar/carb content, grab some nuts or chicken to eat first. When you eat protein before sugar/carbs, your body is better able to manage your blood sugar levels and you can hopefully avoid the spikes and crashes! 

Sweets and treats are a typical part of the holiday season and as a midwife, I want to remind you of the importance of balancing your blood sugar when you eat. You are more prone to blood sugar spikes and then subsequent crashes when you’re pregnant. And maybe you’ve noticed that! Have you found that you “crash” after you eat holiday treats? 

I hope these tips and tricks help you enjoy every precious moment of this time of year! Remember to drink your water and go for a walk while you’re making new memories. May this holiday season be filled with much love and joy for you as you prepare to welcome your little one into the world. 

Information provided in blogs should not be used as a substitute for medical care or consultation.