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Holiday Survival Tips for Expectant Moms

A few years ago I was expecting and eagerly anticipating the arrival of our first child on January 7th. Everyone said “oh wouldn’t it be great to have a Christmas baby”, and then when Christmas passed and no baby it became “wouldn’t it be great to have the New Years Baby.” I wasn’t thrilled about either idea. Many of the nurses agreed and said “No, It isn’t fun being here at New Years with all the husbands who have had a few drinks, think their wives are going into labor and rush them into the hospital.”

We made it past New Year's and our son was born on January 5th healthy and happy. So I survived the holiday season…but just barely. Imagine my surprise when the nurse who arrived to check on the new addition the day after we got home from the hospital said “Congratulations, you had the New Year’s Baby for this region” . Our son was the 2005 New Year's baby for Devon, AB. The experience was a huge learning curve on "how to let go of perfection".

I thought I would share some tips on surviving the Holiday season that expecting moms might find helpful. Of course my biggest word of advice is “Let Go, rest and enjoy. Try not to get uptight about making everything perfect or trying to please everyone. During the last few days and weeks of every pregnancy there are so many doctors’ appointments and check ups that even just that can be exhausting and time consuming.

Sometimes just getting the winter apparel on can overheat you and take a huge effort.

If you’re gestational diabetic as I was, there is even more stress to keep the baby safe and not indulge on all those tasty Christmas treats. I’m a chocolate lover, so this was the hardest part. I remember Grocery shopping close to Christmas and breaking down and buying a chocolate bar that I tried to eat in one bite.

To me grocery shopping was like sending an alcoholic to the liquor store, at the front door of every store, was dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate everywhere I looked. I wouldn't advise you doing this but we were both alright and the stress of not forgiving myself would have been a lot more than letting go of the guilt.

Here are some tips for pregnant “Moms to be” over the holidays:

• Plan ahead as much as you can, get everything organized and ready as well pack your hospital bag early.
• Let other people help with errands or house work. Make a list; they can pick up groceries or last minute gifts. You don’t have to do everything yourself.
• Learn to “let go”; don't worry about having everything perfect. Try NOT to go overboard on the decorations, remember they have to be put away after as well
• Get lots of rest through the holiday Season (trust me you won’t get much rest after)
• Try not to plan too many outings or do too much running around, enjoy the holidays.
• If you have other children enjoy Christmas thru their eyes and don’t get caught up in the commercialized version of the season. Allow this holiday to be simple and fun.
• Allow yourself to say “no” to some commitments without guilt, and do things out of pure joy and not obligation!
• Treasure these days and excitement, no matter when the baby arrives, they are miracles’ and their arrival is beyond your control.
• Treat yourself to something relaxing that you enjoy, a spa day or reading a book.

Look after yourself over the season. Your “well” needs to be full to be able to give to others and fully experience the Wonder of Birth and what your body has created over the past 10 months.

Copyright (c) 2008 Kimberly Schick-Puddicombe

Kimberly Schick-Puddicombe is the Founder and Publisher of Moms, Dads and Kids and . Her transition from full time marketer with a demanding career to full time mom with 2 fabulously active kids had her on a constant search for things to keep them occupied so she launched Alberta fun finder web site momsdadsandkids.com