Holiday Parties during Pregnancy

November 08, 2009

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Holiday Parties during Pregnancy

by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed and revised by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

There are plenty of issues pregnant women may have with holiday parties. How important is it to always eat healthfully? How big a problem will a little excess weight gain be over the next few weeks? In early pregnancy, will people figure out that you're pregnant if you aren't drinking? And later, will people be judgmental toward you for having a few sips of wine?

Maybe you are feeling proud of your changing body, or maybe you believe that you aren't looking your best. But no matter what the case, you'll still need new clothes, and you may not be thrilled at the prospect of dropping a wad of money on a fancy holiday outfit. And then there's the possibility that you might be exposed to something potentially toxic, like unpasteurized cheese or secondhand smoke.

Before you step out for a festive get-together, take a look at the following practical ideas for how moms-to-be can make the most of the holiday party season:

Holiday eating

Navigating the abundance of party fare--The principles of healthy eating still hold during the holiday season--but that doesn't mean you have to avoid a lavish spread. Just choose wisely, and think moderation. You need enough calories, ample fluids, fiber, and calcium to get you through the pregnancy. Almost everything else can be gotten from your vitamin pill. When tempted to fill up on cookies and punch, try to choose foods that meet some of these goals, such as raw vegetables and pasteurized cheeses, and control your portion size on things you know contain empty calories.

A word on weight gain--I always feel cruel having my patients weigh in before each prenatal appointment around the holidays. Once the nausea is gone, food just tastes doubly good! Certainly, no one wants to face the burden of taking off lots of extra weight after childbirth. But believe it or not, the medical risks of substantial weight gain during pregnancy are actually pretty minimal. Too little weight gain is a much more serious problem.

Look at your weight gain over longer intervals, and if you gain a lot over the holiday season, plan to slow it down by choosing lower-fat lower calorie items and smaller portions. Keeping active during this time also can help with weight control.

Risky foods--There are some foods that you should watch out for and avoid during the holiday season. Unpasteurized soft cheeses like brie, Camembert, and Mexican-style cheese harbor Listeria, a bacterium that can harm the developing fetus. Chocolate has a lot of caffeine, and all caffeinated foods and drinks should be limited in early pregnancy because of the possible connection between caffeine use and miscarriage. Raw or undercooked meat, chicken, and eggs also can carry infection and probably should be avoided. And keep in mind that traditional eggnog is made with raw eggs. For more information, read our article about foods to avoid in pregnancy.

Dressing for the party
The key word here is borrow. Although it makes sense to invest in a few everyday outfits that you can wear for months, it's foolish to spend a lot of money on dress clothes for such a short time of your life (unless you have a large pocketbook). Remember, your next baby may come in a different season, and if that's the case, the clothes you buy now will go to waste.

This is a great time to help others recycle the clothes that they no longer need--and most moms are glad to loan out their gently worn maternity clothes. Just one word to the wise: If a spill or spot would be seen as a tragedy, you're better off borrowing a different item or borrowing from a different friend. Yes, you might want to look great for a special occasion, but no outfit is worth risking a friendship over.

Talking and touching
There is something about a pregnant woman's tummy that compels acquaintances to reach out and touch. Maybe it's because people simply love babies, and touching the baby is their first impulse when they see an expectant mother. Of course, from your perspective, it feels like they are touching you. Yet these same people would never lay a finger on you if you weren't expecting.

My theory is that this is an extension of the common view of children as public property. Many adults will rub a child's head or pinch her cheek, yet they would never touch another adult in such a manner unless they knew that person intimately. For some of your acquaintances, pregnancy confers a type of childlike status to moms-to-be.

Your reaction to this experience may vary by your mood or by the person doing the touching, or it may be fairly consistent day to day. If you like the attention, it's easy to be good-natured about it. But if you don't, try to keep in mind that its intent usually isn't malicious or condescending. It's just an extension of the fondness many people feel toward babies.

Many mothers-to-be just grin and bear this contact as part of the pregnancy experience. If you want to minimize unwanted touching, consider keeping your hands full of holiday food and drink in front of your tummy, and backing away slightly if you are being approached. Try patting your own tummy, which in effect can block another person's access. And, of course, if uninvited contact comes your way, you can simply state that you're not comfortable being touched. Often that's enough to make a point, and many people will apologize once it's brought to their attention.

Drinking

Fetal effects of alcohol--Alcohol has been shown to cause birth defects with low-level repeated use or occasional binge drinking. This is true throughout pregnancy, but it is particularly damaging in the first trimester. It's probably best not to drink at all--after all, what other proven fetal toxin would you let pass your lips during pregnancy? If you do drink, limit yourself to a minimal amount of alcohol--you should never reach the point of inebriation.

Protecting your secret--I know of numerous mothers-to-be who gave away their secret early in pregnancy when they were noted to be abstaining from alcohol in a social setting. If you want to avoid snoops, consider arming yourself with a look-alike nonalcoholic drink, like a virgin colada, bloody mary mix, or club soda and lime. Your fellow partygoers will never know the difference!


RELATED INFORMATION

			Alcohol and Drugs during Pregnancy
			Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy
			Tips for Travel in Pregnancy
			Healthy Eating during Pregnancy

	Expectant Moms: Experiences and Milestones
	Holidays, Celebrations, and Family Activities

Created November 19, 2001
Reviewed and revised April 18, 2004

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