10 Things to Avoid If You’re Pregnant at Christmas

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What you Shouldn’t Do While Pregnant this Holiday Season

You’ve probably heard it all…

Don’t sleep on your back, don’t drink coffee, don’t do that workout –

But what about during the Christmas season?

Here’s what you shouldn’t do if you’re pregnant this Christmas.

Psst – going on a vacation over the holidays? Check out what you should know about sun tanning while pregnant.

Have you started documenting your pregnancy? Now is the perfect time!

Christmas-y Things You Shouldn’t Do While Pregnant

1. Skip the Ice Cream

While this one sounds totally crazy, homemade ice cream is frowned upon due to the potential for raw eggs.

So if you have a guest who brought over delicious looking homemade ice cream, your best bet is to skip it.

Try to stick to store bought ice cream or frozen yogurt and you should be okay!

Check out these other popular foods to avoid while pregnant.

2. Skip the Charcuterie Board

One of my favorite parts of the holidays, is the yummy meat and cheese trays!

Unfortunately soft cheeses and deli meats are a no no for pregnant moms.

3. Investigate the Holiday Drinks

Over the holidays many people love to offer a fancy fun drink.

Before you say yes, check if the drink is made with alcohol or if they have any virgin ones available.

4. Think Twice about that Eggnog

When you think eggnog you think the Christmas and holiday season!

Even if you’re sure the eggnog you’re drinking doesn’t have alcohol in it (many times they do!), it may still contain raw or unpasteurized eggs – another no no for expecting moms.

5. Painting the Baby’s Nursery

The holidays can seem like the perfect time to get the nursery painted since you’ve got a few extra days off.

That said – this is another one to skip!

The paint fumes can be harmful to you and baby, so instead, choose the colors and design, and ask you husband to do the painting – or hire it out.

6. Cleaning the Litter Box

Cleaning your cat’s litter box is one thing you really should be avoiding during pregnancy.

This one is just…weird, right?

Cleaning the cat’s litter box is on the list of things you shouldn’t do while pregnant due to the risk of Toxoplasmosis.

This is a disease that can be passes from your cat’s poop to you through contact.

This disease can be very serious if passed on to your unborn baby, so be sure to take the right precautions and avoid changing the litter box if possible.

And….take advantage of having one less daily chore to do and just accept it 🙂

7. Taking a Hot Bath

As relaxing as a hot bath or dip in the hot tub can seem with the stress of the holiday season, you’re going to want to skip it if you’re expecting a baby.

So what’s the big deal?

Taking a hot bath, sitting in a sauna, or relaxing in a hot tub can cause your body temperature to rise too high or your blood pressure to potentially drop.

Both of these can be harmful to your baby.

While not quite the same, you can try taking a warm bath instead to help avoid these potential pregnancy problems.

Speaking of stress…skip the stress and grab these Christmas coupons for your kids. You can thank me later for the extra “fun” and less junk/money spending 😉

Click here for more details on hot tubs and pregnancy from the American Pregnancy Association.

8. Sleeping on Your Back

Sleeping during pregnancy can be hard. And it can be even harder during the holidays when you might be traveling.

Unfortunately, you can’t just sleep any way you want anymore.

It’s recommended that while pregnant you stop sleeping on your back.

The best position to sleep in while pregnant is on your left side. This allows the best positioning for blood flow to your baby.

If you do wake up and find that you’ve ended up on your back, try not to freak out. Just re-position yourself on your side and try to go back to sleep.

A really comfy pillow, like this one, designed for pregnant women can be so helpful in getting to sleep! Especially if you’re not used to sleeping on your side.

9. Think about Skipping That Double Espresso

Say what?

With all the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, a girl’s gotta have her coffee.

Giving up chocolate or your daily coffee can seem like a huge thing when you’re pregnant.

Thankfully, most doctors will tell you that it’s okay to have about one 12 oz cup of coffee or 200 mg or less of caffeine per day.

If you really feel like you’re dragging, try to make sure you’re well hydrated and eating great pregnancy power snacks.

It’s also super helpful if you can sneak a nap in while you can! Your body is making a baby after all, you deserve it momma!

This water bottle is my favorite if you’re trying to get enough water in during the day! It’s easy to carry, keeps my water cold, and is huge – so I have to fill up less often and can keep track of how much I’ve drank.

10. Stop Over-Doing It

The holidays can be a crazy time where you feel the need to visit all your family and attend every Christmas party.

And while you may want to show off your adorable bump, remember that it’s important to listen to your body and that it’s okay to say no and stay home and relax.

If you’re looking for a safe pregnancy workout program, then the Belly Only Pregnancy is for you! It was created by a pregnancy fitness and nutrition specialist and can be all done at home. Talk about easy!

If you’re worried about sitting around “too much” during pregnancy, there’s tons of great workout programs out there to keep you moving in a healthy and safe way.

And after baby The Postpartum Cure can be a great choice!

This program is all about healing, nutrition (even a grocery store guide), and exercises to do postpartum. My favorite part is the app and quick videos that show you how to perform each exercise! Check it out here – many moms love getting this during pregnancy and preparing for their postpartum period.

What to Avoid This Christmas While Pregnant: Talk to Your Doctor

While the list of what to avoid while pregnant can be confusing and may seem ever changing, it’s always important to check with your doctor.

The goal is to have a happy and healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby (even over the holidays!).

🎥 Check out the web story for Things You Shouldn’t Do While Pregnant Here.

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