Pregnant during the holidays?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is a time when families come together, food is in abundance, offices have staff parties, decorations are hung, and most people are in a great mood. It’s awesome, right? Well… maybe not so much for the pregnant women out there. We in PROMAC at the National Family Planning Board (NFPB) know what you may be going through right now, and we certainly empathise. With morning sickness, aches and pains, frequent bathroom trips and swollen feet to contend with, the holiday hustle and bustle can become a bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, we hope that mothers-to-be will find the following tips helpful.
1. Get help with the housework
We know that during the Yuletide season, tonnes of housework seem to magically appear — whitewashing, curtains to be washed and windows to be cleaned, plus there’s just a lot more cooking to be done and plates to be washed. However, now is not the time to let your inner superwoman jump into action. Sit back instead and issue orders! Delegate the work among family members in order to reduce your workload. If you are unfortunate enough to have no one to help you, consider spending the holidays with other family members or friends.
2. Avoid excessive standing, walking and sitting
Trust us, swollen feet and back pains are no joke! So to avoid aggravating these issues, don’t go to places where you will have to stand in long lines, walk around for long distances, or even sit for what will appear to be forever when your feet and back are begging for mercy. Ask someone to do the errands for you. If you have no choice, pay someone to help you.
3. Don’t overeat
Yes, we know you have been waiting for the holiday dinners since last Christmas and now you are “eating for two”. However, eating too much, especially in one sitting, can lead to heartburn, stomach discomfort and maybe even constipation (thanks to the hormone progesterone relaxing your digestive system). It’s better to eat smaller amounts of food more frequently than to eat the “big whack” that you could regret later. Also, be careful to avoid eating foods that have been left out too long, as these could have picked up some bacteria that can cause illness. Ensure that hot foods are served hot and cold foods are served cold. Your immune system is not in the best shape right now, so you have to be careful what you put inside your body.
4. Get enough rest
With all the excitement of the season, you may want to join in all the activities. But remember that your body is still working overtime to support a life growing inside you. You need rest! Don’t be afraid to take naps during the day or to excuse yourself from gatherings or long visits at home whenever tiredness sets in. Your family, friends and visitors will understand.
5. Dress comfortably
If you decide to attend church services, concerts, family dinners and the like, ensure that you dress comfortably. Wear loose and stretchy clothing that will facilitate your growing tummy and keep you from feeling constricted. Also, remember you’ll be making more frequent trips to the restroom and sometimes you’ll need to get there quickly, so try not to make this task any harder than it needs to be.
6. Keep clinic appointments
Lastly, amidst all the fun and excitement, ensure that you keep abreast of your health status. Keep your clinic appointments faithfully, and tell your midwife, nurse or doctor about any signs or feelings that seem unusual. Don’t take anything for granted. Your unborn child is depending on you!
PROMAC|NFPB is the Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality at the National Family Planning Board which is funded by the European Union.
