The A to Z of staying safe, sane and sorted this Christmas
A. Alcohol. There is no safe amount of alcohol recommended in pregnancy. Stock up on the mocktails and the nossecco.
B. Babies born on Christmas Day are usually photographed by the local media. If you labour over the festive season, take in a festive baby suit for the photographer as most hospitals have an agreement with the press and you may be offered the chance to appear in the newspaper features on Christmas and New Year babies.
C. Call the midwife at any point over the bank holiday. Services may be altered over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. But there is always a midwife on call. If in doubt, ring the birthing unit aka labour ward with any concerns.
D. Delegate as much as you can. If you are heavily pregnant this year consider asking friends to lend a hand and take on the jobs that could strain your musculoskeletal system, such as putting up the tree, the trimmings and moving the furniture. Your body is flooded with Relaxin, a hormone that loosens joints in preparation for birth making sprains more likely.
E. Enjoy your Christmas without a baby if you are having your first baby this year, make it special. Next Christmas will look completely different with a baby in the house.
F. Food poisoning risk is raised in pregnancy due to immunological adaptations. At parties and buffets choose wisely, and eat early on when the food is just served rather than waiting until it has been at room temperature for several hours, ensure meat is thoroughly cooked and avoid reheated foods like rice. Strict hand washing helps avoid an upset tummy.
G. Gripey tummy? If our soothing ginger melts eased your nausea in pregnancy and you have any left over, they will soothe an overindulged digestive system, ease an uncomfortable bloated tummy feeling or relieve the heave of guests with hangovers.
H. Hormones may surge or dampen down. You may feel extremely emotional or devoid of Christmas cheer, it is common to feel a bit flat and disinterested by the frenzied activities in the build up to Christmas. The dampening of the cortisol response in late pregnancy can rob you of your usual excitement. Allow yourself to experience Christmas your own way this year.
I. Itching skin is a common symptom of pregnancy, those Christmas jumpers and central heating boosted to the max can mean more dry skin and itching, moisturise your skin with our Fantastic Skin Elastic and hydrate well. If the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet itch, or you are concerned at all by itching skin, report it to your care team, it can be a symptom of obstetric cholestasis, which needs treatment.
J. Jumping for joy! Advanced pregnancy can put a strain on the back hips and other joints. You may feel the need to skip the Conga this year and stick to the slow dance numbers. Take care on the dance floor, the postural changes caused by lumbar lordosis of pregnancy affects the balance. Shoe heel height may have to come down to a sensible wedge this year.
K. Kissing Under the mistletoe is an infection risk. The Immune system in pregnancy is affected and kissing transfers bacteria and viruses and spreads illnesses. The same goes for your new baby who is particularly at risk in the first 3 months of life. Ask your friends and family not to kiss your young baby and to cancel visiting if they feel unwell.
L. Love is in the air. Year on year counting 9 months forward from Christmas Day we can predict the busiest few days on birthing units up and down the land. If you do not want to be one of those stats, sort some contraception out.
M. Messaging. Matters. Most of us have smartphones now from great grandma down to your young nieces and nephews and everyone in between. This year make sure friends and family are not sending WhatsApp Christmas and New Year messages throughout the night; you need your sleep. Maybe set a call curfew or sign off with your own message and switch your phone to silent.
N. No room at the inn. When maternity services are stretched to capacity over winter there is a small chance that the unit you have booked to birth in may have to close to new admissions, as a safety precaution. Check out your nearest alternative maternity unit just in case you are redirected to a nearby unit.
O. Overstaying their welcome. Too much food, drink, and socialising can leave you feeling drained. Let friends and families know not to overstay their welcome on social visits. You will be glad to see them and equally glad to see them go.
P. Pace yourself. Your mood, your nerves, your digestive system, and your musculoskeletal system will all tire more easily in both early and late pregnancy. You may not want to accept every invitation. Christmas shopping will feel more of an effort with a bump, shopping with a companion who can help carrying bags and parcels is an enjoyable way to connect with friends too.
Q. Quality Time. Have some quiet time to yourself daily, if possible, during the holidays. Rest with your ankles slightly higher than your hips to relieve swollen ankles and tired legs. Quiet your mind and nervous system too. A relaxing podcast or meditation playlist with bump massage to connect with your baby benefits you both.
R. Restless legs! A side effect of advanced pregnancy. Ask Santa to bring you some soothing Soak for bits, our natural blend of Epsom salts and essential oils will soothe and alleviate aching muscles. And help prevent cramp.
S. Stopping smoking is the best Christmas gift a mum to be or her close family members can give to the unborn child. Encourage close friends and family to think about quitting.
T. Tree and trimmings. Putting up the tree and trimming at home can involve ladders, stools or straining and stretching. The balance in pregnancy is impaired by the bump. Ask friends and relatives to take on this task this year to protect yourself from falls and sprains.
U. Unpredictable – prepare for unexpected situations such as unscheduled maternity assessment trips or traffic and transport affected by severe weather and travel disruption– allow extra time on journeys and take maternity notes out with you as well as your phone charger just in case you need to call into maternity assessment unit for an unpredicted check-up.
V. Visitors Etiquette and social norms can get forgotten in the frivolities of the season. Sometimes family dynamics are a bit strained too and yet there is no way of escaping the family get togethers –plan short visits with set arrival and departure times so everyone is clear on what to expect. Discourage folk visiting unannounced.
W. Wellbeing checks matter. If you have any concerns over your own well-being or are worried about your baby – stop what you are doing and arrange to see or speak to a midwife. Maternity staff will assess and address your concerns, no matter what the hour or day. Do not put off reporting symptoms such as reduced movements, headaches, visual disturbances bleeding or Urinary symptoms. Report anything that is concerning you.
X. Is for expert. Download the MEM club by My Expert Midwife app and enjoy free and unlimited access to chat rooms where you can chat with another mother or with one of our midwives. The chat room does not override the advice, care, or support of your own care team but it can help to chat with our midwives and other mums.
Y. Yuletide. You decide! Do things your way. Your baby brings an opportunity for you to create and set your own traditions. Let friends and family know your attendance at family events may change with the imminent arrival of your baby. Decide whether to join activities and gatherings based on how you have slept the night before and how you feel. Make any RSVPs “provisional” and decide on the day.
Z. Zzzzzzzzzz catch up on your sleep. Take advantage of the cosy, hygge vibe at home and go to bed early or enjoy lie ins while you can.
The team at MEM (My Expert Midwife) will be thinking of you and wishing you everything you wish for yourself this year as you write your own nativity story. Unto us a child is born …. Happy Christmas
