Being pregnant at Christmas

If  you're feeling as fat as Santa you may not be looking forward to the Christmas party season in quite the same way as previous years. Don't despair, we've got some top tips to keep you happy and sane throughout the celebrations

It may be the season to be jolly, but if you're pregnant at Christmas, there are certain indulgences that will just have to wait until next year. Even if you do feel up to the usual excesses of Christmas (i.e. you're lucky enough to have avoided morning sickness, fatigue and food aversions), you will need to moderate the eating, drinking and partying and start making preparations for when you host your very own nativity scene.

The office party
If you work, the chances are you'll be invited to the office Christmas bash. While these can range from a quiet lunch with a glass of red to lavish evening bashes where the booze flows freely, the chances are you won't be able to let your hair down in quite the same way as usual. If you're in the initial stages of Pregnancy and haven't yet told your colleagues, you may need to think of an excuse for not tipping back the wine with abandon. 'One of the hardest things in the first few months was thinking of what to say when people offered me a drink,' says mum-to-be Catherine. 'It was so out of character to refuse, I felt that people immediately became suspicious!'

This isn't helped by the fact that office parties can also be forums where tongues become loosened. If your Pregnancy is generally known, office parties prompt questions from colleagues about your maternity plans that you may not wish to discuss yet. Make sure you are clear with yourself about what you want to disclose and what you don't, so that if your boss casually asks whether you intend to come back to work after the baby, you don't feel obliged to give an answer either way. Remember your rights - you do not have to commit to when or whether you come back to work until eight weeks before you actually do. See www.dti.gov.uk for details on all of your maternity leave rights (which includes the changes being made for babies born from April 2007).

Remember too, however, that it works both ways; work bashes are not the best place to ask your boss whether returning part-time is an option - save that for the office!

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Fighting fatigue
Your body is working hard at the moment, making a new life. Christmas can be stressful, so make sure this doesn't adversely affect that important work you are doing. After all, Christmas happens every single year - you can always execute your master Christmas plan next year or the year after. If you are in the latter stages of Pregnancy, do you really want to host a family get-together while carrying a huge bump? Starting Christmas shopping early is always a good idea, but particularly this year so you're not tramping round the shops with heavy bags on Christmas Eve. Online shopping can work wonders, as can sending your partner out with a shopping list!

An early present?
If you are in the latter stages of Pregnancy around Christmas, there is the possibility you may give birth early and thus scupper carefully laid Christmas plans. So it's probably best not to have a complicated schedule with loads of family members depending on you for showing up, giving lifts or babysitting. And when visiting family around the country, it's always a good idea to have your maternity hospital notes with you.

On the day
If you're still experiencing morning sickness, Christmas dinner may turn your stomach further. Sticking to small portions - smaller than usual - and taking in some fresh air will help. Try to avoid smokers (assuming you're not smoking yourself; and if you are - stop!). Naturally, you'll need to be keeping off the dessert wine, but also beware of what you can eat and what you can't. Common indulgences such as unpasturised cheeses, cured (rather than cooked) meats and for some, nuts, should all be off the menu.

Presents
Make sure you get presents for yourself. Don't ask for baby items - you'll get plenty of presents when it arrives anyway. Pregnancy is a time for pampering yourself - ask for presents that ensure you're in tip-top shape and relaxed for when your baby needs you.

Time to yourself
That time between Christmas and New Year means you can spend extra time shopping for the baby, booking your antenatal classes and getting your house in order. If you already have children however, the Christmas holidays can mean even more of your time is in demand. Try to get some time to yourself if you can; if family are visiting, why not let them spend quality time with the children while you make use of some of those pampering products?

Shop 'til you drop
New baby, plus January sales, equals the perfect excuse for retail therapy. Many clothes shops such as Next will have tons of baby clothes up for grabs at rock bottom prices - so go grab some baby bargains!