Pregnant at Christmas (again!): Some Thoughts and Tips

In 2009

We were in the middle of our fifth and final IVF ICSI cycle

Which resulted in me becoming pregnant with Esther and William

In 2010

I was breastfeeding Esther and William

Who having been born prematurely

Were already 5 months old

In 2011

I was pregnant with Matilda Mae

Our miracle baby

In 2012

I was feeding Matilda Mae

Who was 7 months old

In 2013

Crippled with grief

From the death of Tilda

And our miscarriage trauma

I was also very newly pregnant

Very secretly pregnant

With our Rainbow Baby Bea

In 2014, 2015 and 2016 (!!!)

I was feeding Bea

And in 2016

I am also now 21 weeks with Sprinkle

Our second Rainbow Baby

On Christmas Day I was 20 weeks pregnant

So for the last 8 years

(Perhaps 9 years?)

I have been pregnant or feeding or undergoing fertility treatment

At Christmas

I feel I am something of an expert at making the most of Christmas

Whatever your stage of pregnancy or breastfeeding

And so I would like to share with you my top tips

For not only surviving the season

But also making the very best of this

Most wonderful time of the year

tilda at christmas

Whether this is your first pregnancy

Or your last baby

My experience and thoughts on being pregnant or breastfeeding

During the festive season are here

Shop early and online – or at least at a leisurely pace
When I was younger I used to love Christmas shopping

During my teenage years and early 20s I lived in Germany

So after the magic of the Weinachts Market

I used to love coming home to the UK

And shopping in the all the English shops

That we just did not have out there

I worked and had my own money

And I used to love buying little bits for all my family and friends

I am originally from The Medway Towns

So my sister and I used to go and spend a day in Chatham

At The Pentagon

And at Hempstead Valley

Exploring all the festive filled shops

As a pregnant lady and as a mummy of small children

I do not have the time, energy or inclination

To go shopping in the real world

I still love to spoil my friends and family

But I love to do it from the comfort of my own home

Browsing online from my sofa

With a seasonal snack and a roaring log fire

The times I do feel nostalgic for actual shopping

And step out into the real world of busy shopping centres

I always almost immediately regret it

And head for home and my virtual retail outlets

Where I can spoil my loved ones

Without the queues

The traffic jams

The inclement weather

And the carrying of heavy bags

This year I forgot to book a grocery delivery slot

And there was no fun or festive cheer at all

In my food shop

Two supermarkets and too many hours of my life

I will never ever get back

Time I could have been bonding with my bump

Or christmas crafting with my children

So if you are pregnant or nursing a little one

Shop early, online and from the comfort of home

christmas together

Stay hydrated – stock up on special non-alcoholic drinks
I have never been a big drinker

So do not feel that alcohol is something big missing from my Christmas

But I do understand that for some people

Alcoholic drinks through the party season are something to be missed

When pregnant and breastfeeding it is important to drink

To stay hydrated

Water can be boring

And when everyone else has a special tipple

You might be craving one too

So stock up on special drinks just for you

And some that you can share with your children

Or other non drinkers

Mocktails are a thing (who knew?)

And there are lots and lots of recipes and ideas online

You can also buy quite exotic cordials

And bottles of fizzy fruit concoctions

Some I have seen this year with added glitter and sparkle?

These would be good to have when others are popping the fizz

Whatever you choose to drink

Make sure that you do

And remember for anything caffeinated

You should drink some extra water

To jazz up water

I like to add sugar free squash

Or just a hint of natural flavour

By adding chunks of fresh fruit

And / or mint

Feast – eat foods that are tasty but also good for you and baby
Christmas is a time for feasting

And when better to indulge than when pregnant or breastfeeding

Times when you are actually encouraged to consume extra calories

But good extra calories if you can

Try not to just work your way through the selection boxes

Nibble instead on dried fruits and nuts

Crudities and dips

Turkey, crackers, cheese and chutney

So many fabulous festive foods to feast on

Enjoy!

Make it magical – focus on the little things that will make this Christmas one to remember
It is easy to get carried away at Christmas time

It is easy to do too much

And then suffer for it

Focus on the little things

That make the season most magical

For you and your loved ones

Big and small

We wanted this Christmas to be our best one yet

But in the end circumstances were against us

We had a good Christmas but scaled back

Through building works, finances, health and time constraints

But because we made sure we did not miss a single thing

That makes this time of year so special for our children

They will never know

sleigh smiles

They have had a wonderful Christmas

Because we had done just enough

The best we could this year in the circumstances

As a parent to young children

A pregnant or nursing mummy

You just cannot do it all

So choose the bits most important for your

And your loved ones

And that will always be just right

Capture memories – Christmas will never be the same for you again
Whether you are pregnant for the first time

Or feeding your final baby

Or anywhere in between

This Christmas is going to be unique

There will never be another

So capture those magical moments

And make them into magical memories

I will forever be grateful

For the many many photos and videos I took

During our one and only Christmas

With our baby daughter Matilda Mae

Tilda lights up Christmas

Take photos

Record videos

And then do something with them

To share with friends and family for years to come

And to look back on to remember

This one incredibly special Christmas

If you are pregnant

Take time for you and bump

Especially if you are feeling movement

I can feel Sprinkle a little now

And I have snatched some wonderful silence for us this festive season

Just me and our Sprinkle of Stardust

Getting to know one another

Finding our rhythm together

bump dress

Pamper Yourself – and your bump
I have always liked to treat myself a bit

At Christmas and New Year

An eyebrow shape

Hair cut and coloured (though have not managed that this year)

Wearing a touch of make up

And perhaps trying a body scrub and face mask

Followed by a lovely body lotion

I think finding the time to do things like this

Is even more important when you are pregnant

Or parenting small children

A chance to catch your breath

And gather your thoughts

An opportunity to focus on you

And when pregnant your unborn baby

A chance to get to know your changing body shape

It is absolutely okay to take this time

Guilt free

And focus mentally, physically and emotionally

On you

17weeksbump

Dress Your Bump – find your perfect pregnancy style
I love being pregnant

I feel more confident with a bump

Than at any other time

But I know that it is not like that for everyone

My advice shop around

Find a pregnancy style that you like

That makes you feel confident and comfortable

And plan your outfits in advance

There is no better excuse than pregnancy

For wearing whatever you like

Breastfeeding is trickier

Finding something pretty

And discreet for feeding is not always easy

But it is possible if you shop around

Try Milk and Mummy

Yummmy Mummy Maternity

And JoJo Maman Bebe for inspiration

Put your feet up – rest as much as you need and do not be afraid to ask for help
This is important

Growing a human being is tiring work

Feeding a baby or toddler is tiring work

You need to rest

And you need to not feel guilty

For asking for or accepting help

This is harder in your first trimester

When you are feeling at your worst

But it is not at all obvious to anyone else

It is important to recognise when you need to take a break

And then make sure you take one!

Find ways to delegate jobs

And know that in years to come

You can do more than your fair share of jobs

If this year you sit back just a little

It only has to be a little

You are growing, feeding, nurturing a little person

jo jo kilt

Know Your Numbers – be prepared in case of a medical emergency

Whether you stay at home

Or go away

Make sure you have your pregnancy notes with you

And any numbers that you might need to call

It will make you feel more at ease

Knowing that you have the numbers you need

Should something happen

Should you have a question

Should something go wrong

Hopefully your Christmas will be merry and bright

Full of peace and goodwill

But it is better to be safe than sorry

It is better to be prepared

It is better to have all that you need

Including your hospital bag if you are that far along

Being pregnant or breastfeeding

At Christmas time

Can be a wonderful thing

A magical memorable thing

To treasure for the rest of time

I will forever be thankful for all my Christmases

With a baby on board

In one way or another

Especially Christmases 2011 and 2012

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