Article: Your priority when pregnant is caring for yourself and your unborn baby. You may want to celebrate the holidays to the fullest, but may not always feel your best. Developing a general plan on how to tackle the holidays that you can change if need be may give you some comfort and help you more easily navigate the holiday season.  Write out a tentative plan based on invitations and things you’d like to do. Make sure to include meals and periods of rest. Remember that doing what makes you feel best lets you focus on your wellbeing, even if it means disappointing someone. Pregnancy is a great time to allow yourself to focus on what you need. This is especially true if it’s your first baby. After you deliver, children often become the focus of the holidays. Allow yourself to do what you want, be it going to parties, staying in to cuddle, or enjoying a massage. Explain to others why you decide to take or decline offers during the holiday season. Most people understand that you may need time to yourself when you’re pregnant. For example, “Hi Diane, thanks so much for your invitation to join you on New Year’s Eve. I think I’m going to stay at home. I’ve been really tired and with my due date getting closer, I’d like to just have a quiet evening at home.” The holidays are a time when many people indulge on rich foods, meals, and drinks. Being pregnant makes your appetite bigger and you may be tempted to treat yourself a bit more. Stress can also cause you to eat more. Maintaining a healthy diet with a few treats can keep you and your baby healthy. Eat everything in moderation. Make sure you are getting plenty of vital nutrients at each meal and then allow yourself to have a small treat, such as a cookie or piece of pie. Many people run themselves ragged during the holidays. Take your pregnancy as an opportunity to ask for help when you need it. This can help you not only navigate the holiday season, but also truly enjoy it.  Reach out whenever it’s necessary. For example, “Sander, can you please clear the table? I’m a little tired and I can’t reach across the table with my big belly.” You can also send out a message saying, “Hey guys, since we’re expecting this year, we propose having Christmas dinner at a local restaurant. It’ll be easy for everyone with no clean up and plenty of time to enjoy one another.” Recognize that friends and loved ones want the best for you and are willing to help. Asking someone else to host a holiday meal or gathering or even something as simple as clearing the table can give you much needed “me” time. Women generally get dressed up for events during the holiday season. This might include tight dresses and itchy sweaters. In order to make yourself comfortable, which can make getting through the holidays easier, wear clothing that incorporates your expanding belly. Put together a couple of comfy outfits you can wear through the holidays. For example, a festive dress with an empire waist that grazes your belly while highlighting your décolleté is comfortable and beautiful. You can also put on a pair of black stretchy pants with a loose, embellished top and comfortable flats. Even if you ask for help, there are still some things you’ll need to do during the holidays. This may include buying and wrapping gifts, decorating, and maybe some baking. Start tackling any tasks you may have early and pace yourself each day as you do them. Focus on one or two manageable tasks at a time or even each day. This can help you do what you need without getting tired or overwhelmed. Many women experience fatigue when they’re pregnant. You may find that the rush of the holidays tires you out even more. Take time to sleep whenever you get tired. Getting enough rest may help you navigate and enjoy the holidays with greater ease. Let yourself sleep late, take naps, and go to bed early as you like. Even sitting down more often, such as when you’re shopping, can give you a bit of rest.

What is a summary?
Have a flexible plan. Focus on yourself. Keep a healthy diet. Ask for help. Wear comfortable clothing. Pace yourself. Get plenty of rest.