Pregnant During the Christmas Season: Tips and Tricks

Being pregnant at Christmas can be wonderful, but also exhausting—especially in the third trimester or when traveling and family celebrations are added to the mix. To ensure you can relax and enjoy the holidays, it’s worth listening to your body and making sure you have a stress-free time. In the late stages of pregnancy, your belly is often already large, your sleep is more restless, and your circulation is more sensitive. That’s why regular breaks, plenty of water, and fresh air are especially important. Even if it’s warm and cozy everywhere, you should avoid overheating and sit or lie down in between if your back or circulation starts to bother you.

Tips for the Christmas Season

When traveling, it is helpful to be well prepared: in the car, frequent breaks, a comfortable seat cushion, and plenty of drinks are a good idea; on the train, you should reserve seats in advance to avoid crowding; and when flying, it is advisable to consult your doctor beforehand, as many airlines have certain requirements from the late third trimester onwards. No matter what mode of transportation you choose, moving around occasionally, wearing loose clothing, and bringing a small emergency bag with your maternity log, snacks, and water will make everything easier. Here are a few helpful tips to help you enjoy the holidays in a relaxed and safe manner:

Plan Breaks Consciously

Holidays can be stressful and turbulent – take regular breaks, put your feet up, and listen to your body. Fatigue is completely normal during pregnancy.

Pay Attention to Food That is Easy to Digest

Many Christmas classics are perfectly fine, but some should be avoided or chosen consciously:

• Meat and fish should always be cooked thoroughly.
• Be careful with raw milk cheese, tiramisu with raw eggs, or sushi.
• Avoid alcohol—it can also be hidden in punch or desserts.
• At buffets, choose freshly prepared foods.

Comfortable Clothing Instead of Pressure

A cozy, festive outfit that doesn’t constrict you will make the celebration much more enjoyable – especially after eating or when your belly is already large.

Reduce Stress

You don’t have to do everything perfectly: delegate tasks, buy gifts in advance or online, and say no if you have too many (unnecessary) appointments.

Drink Plenty of Fluids and Get SomeFresh Air

Heaters dry out the air – drinking enough fluids helps prevent headaches and circulatory problems. A walk after eating can work wonders.

Pay Attention to your Circulation

Standing for long periods while cooking, taking hot showers, or being in crowded rooms can put strain on your circulation. Sit down occasionally, take deep breaths, and avoid overheating.

Be Careful in Snow and Icy Conditions

In winter, the risk of falling increases – non-slip shoes and good lighting are important, especially in late pregnancy.

Let Go of Expectations

Many expectant mothers feel more emotional during the holidays. Allow yourself to take it easy and plan the festivities in a way that suits you.

Create Little Memories

An ultrasound image in your Christmas card, a photo with your baby bump, or a little ritual can make this time especially beautiful.

Decorate the Christmas Tree

Decorating a Christmas tree during pregnancy is generally no problem at all—with a few simple precautions, it can even be really cozy and stress-free.

If your belly is already quite large, you should be careful not to climb too high. Stepladders or wobbly stools are risky because your balance and center of gravity change during pregnancy. It is better to let someone else in the family take care of the higher branches and concentrate on the areas that you can reach comfortably.

Also, be careful not to lift anything heavy. A large Christmas tree can be bulky and surprisingly heavy, so it makes sense to get help setting it up. Decorating the tree itself is easy, but carrying and putting it in place can strain your back. If you use real candles, it is important to be especially careful—however, most people today use LED fairy lights, which are safer, generate less heat, and do not pose a fire hazard.

When decorating with glass baubles, it is worth working slowly and carefully – if a bauble falls and breaks, you should not clean the floor yourself barefoot or with your bare hands. Ideally, someone else should do this for you.

If you are sensitive to scents (which is more common during pregnancy), the intense smell of the tree, resin, or room spray can trigger headaches or nausea. In this case, it helps to let the tree air out a little first or to avoid artificial scents.

Food Tips for the Festive Season

You don’t have to forego delicious meals, but you should pay attention to certain things to avoid any health risks.

Well Cooked Instead of Half Raw

Make sure that meat and poultry in particular are cooked thoroughly – no pink meat, no bloody roasts, no pieces that look slightly undercooked. The same applies to fish: sushi, smoked salmon, or raw fish are taboo, but well-fried or steamed fish is okay.

Be careful with cheese and dairy products

Raw milk cheese and soft cheese made from raw milk (e.g., Brie, Camembert, some types of mountain cheese) may contain listeria. The following are permitted

• Hard cheese,
• pasteurized soft cheese,
• and anything that has been thoroughly heated (e.g., au gratin).

No Raw Eggs

Some Christmas dishes contain raw eggs, e.g., tiramisu, homemade mayonnaise, zabaglione, or some creams. If in doubt, ask exactly what ingredients are used and resort to alternatives.

Enjoy Alcohol-Free

Alcohol is taboo during pregnancy – even small amounts or “cooked” alcohol is not ideal. Remember that punch, desserts, sauces, or red cabbage often contain alcohol. There are now many delicious alcohol-free alternatives (e.g., alcohol-free fruit punch, alcohol-free sparkling wine).

Be Careful With Buffets and Leftovers

At buffets, it is better to choose fresh, hot dishes. Cold dishes that have been standing for a long time can pose a risk of germs. Leftovers should also be reheated thoroughly within a day.

Adjust Salt and Spices to Suit Your Well-Being

Christmas meals are often very salty and fatty, which can lead to water retention or heartburn during pregnancy. Eat slowly, drink enough fluids, and choose smaller portions to avoid discomfort.

Prevent Heartburn

If you are in your third trimester, heartburn is a common problem. It helps to eat small, frequent meals, sit upright after eating, and choose mild foods instead of very fatty or spicy ones.

Drink Enough Fluids – Especially in Warm Rooms

Heated air dries out, and many people forget to drink enough fluids amid all the festivities. Water, tea, and non-alcoholic beverages keep your circulation stable and stimulate digestion.

Listen to Your Body

If something doesn’t agree with you or you crave a certain food, that’s perfectly okay. The holidays should be enjoyable – you don’t have to eat huge portions or try everything “for everyone’s sake.”

If you are unsure, consult your doctor. A trained medical professional is the first point of contact for both nutritional questions and other concerns related to pregnancy.