In 2009
We were in the middle of our fifth and final IVF ICSI cycle
Which resulted in me becoming pregnant with Esther and William
In 2010
I was breastfeeding Esther and William
Who having been born prematurely
Were already 5 months old
In 2011
I was pregnant with Matilda Mae
Our miracle baby
In 2012
I was feeding Matilda Mae
Who was 7 months old
In 2013
Crippled with grief
From the death of Tilda
And our miscarriage trauma
I was also very newly pregnant
Very secretly pregnant
With our Rainbow Baby Bea
In 2014, 2015 and 2016 (!!!)
I was feeding Bea
And in 2016
I am also now 21 weeks with Sprinkle
Our second Rainbow Baby
On Christmas Day I was 20 weeks pregnant
So for the last 8 years
(Perhaps 9 years?)
I have been pregnant or feeding or undergoing fertility treatment
At Christmas
I feel I am something of an expert at making the most of Christmas
Whatever your stage of pregnancy or breastfeeding
And so I would like to share with you my top tips
For not only surviving the season
But also making the very best of this
Most wonderful time of the year
Whether this is your first pregnancy
Or your last baby
My experience and thoughts on being pregnant or breastfeeding
During the festive season are here
Shop early and online – or at least at a leisurely pace
When I was younger I used to love Christmas shopping
During my teenage years and early 20s I lived in Germany
So after the magic of the Weinachts Market
I used to love coming home to the UK
And shopping in the all the English shops
That we just did not have out there
I worked and had my own money
And I used to love buying little bits for all my family and friends
I am originally from The Medway Towns
So my sister and I used to go and spend a day in Chatham
At The Pentagon
And at Hempstead Valley
Exploring all the festive filled shops
As a pregnant lady and as a mummy of small children
I do not have the time, energy or inclination
To go shopping in the real world
I still love to spoil my friends and family
But I love to do it from the comfort of my own home
Browsing online from my sofa
With a seasonal snack and a roaring log fire
The times I do feel nostalgic for actual shopping
And step out into the real world of busy shopping centres
I always almost immediately regret it
And head for home and my virtual retail outlets
Where I can spoil my loved ones
Without the queues
The traffic jams
The inclement weather
And the carrying of heavy bags
This year I forgot to book a grocery delivery slot
And there was no fun or festive cheer at all
In my food shop
Two supermarkets and too many hours of my life
I will never ever get back
Time I could have been bonding with my bump
Or christmas crafting with my children
So if you are pregnant or nursing a little one
Shop early, online and from the comfort of home
Stay hydrated – stock up on special non-alcoholic drinks
I have never been a big drinker
So do not feel that alcohol is something big missing from my Christmas
But I do understand that for some people
Alcoholic drinks through the party season are something to be missed
When pregnant and breastfeeding it is important to drink
To stay hydrated
Water can be boring
And when everyone else has a special tipple
You might be craving one too
So stock up on special drinks just for you
And some that you can share with your children
Or other non drinkers
Mocktails are a thing (who knew?)
And there are lots and lots of recipes and ideas online
You can also buy quite exotic cordials
And bottles of fizzy fruit concoctions
Some I have seen this year with added glitter and sparkle?
These would be good to have when others are popping the fizz
Whatever you choose to drink
Make sure that you do
And remember for anything caffeinated
You should drink some extra water
To jazz up water
I like to add sugar free squash
Or just a hint of natural flavour
By adding chunks of fresh fruit
And / or mint
Feast – eat foods that are tasty but also good for you and baby
Christmas is a time for feasting
And when better to indulge than when pregnant or breastfeeding
Times when you are actually encouraged to consume extra calories
But good extra calories if you can
Try not to just work your way through the selection boxes
Nibble instead on dried fruits and nuts
Crudities and dips
Turkey, crackers, cheese and chutney
So many fabulous festive foods to feast on
Enjoy!
Make it magical – focus on the little things that will make this Christmas one to remember
It is easy to get carried away at Christmas time
It is easy to do too much
And then suffer for it
Focus on the little things
That make the season most magical
For you and your loved ones
Big and small
We wanted this Christmas to be our best one yet
But in the end circumstances were against us
We had a good Christmas but scaled back
Through building works, finances, health and time constraints
But because we made sure we did not miss a single thing
That makes this time of year so special for our children
They will never know
They have had a wonderful Christmas
Because we had done just enough
The best we could this year in the circumstances
As a parent to young children
A pregnant or nursing mummy
You just cannot do it all
So choose the bits most important for your
And your loved ones
And that will always be just right
Capture memories – Christmas will never be the same for you again
Whether you are pregnant for the first time
Or feeding your final baby
Or anywhere in between
This Christmas is going to be unique
There will never be another
So capture those magical moments
And make them into magical memories
I will forever be grateful
For the many many photos and videos I took
During our one and only Christmas
With our baby daughter Matilda Mae
Take photos
Record videos
And then do something with them
To share with friends and family for years to come
And to look back on to remember
This one incredibly special Christmas
If you are pregnant
Take time for you and bump
Especially if you are feeling movement
I can feel Sprinkle a little now
And I have snatched some wonderful silence for us this festive season
Just me and our Sprinkle of Stardust
Getting to know one another
Finding our rhythm together
Pamper Yourself – and your bump
I have always liked to treat myself a bit
At Christmas and New Year
An eyebrow shape
Hair cut and coloured (though have not managed that this year)
Wearing a touch of make up
And perhaps trying a body scrub and face mask
Followed by a lovely body lotion
I think finding the time to do things like this
Is even more important when you are pregnant
Or parenting small children
A chance to catch your breath
And gather your thoughts
An opportunity to focus on you
And when pregnant your unborn baby
A chance to get to know your changing body shape
It is absolutely okay to take this time
Guilt free
And focus mentally, physically and emotionally
On you
Dress Your Bump – find your perfect pregnancy style
I love being pregnant
I feel more confident with a bump
Than at any other time
But I know that it is not like that for everyone
My advice shop around
Find a pregnancy style that you like
That makes you feel confident and comfortable
And plan your outfits in advance
There is no better excuse than pregnancy
For wearing whatever you like
Breastfeeding is trickier
Finding something pretty
And discreet for feeding is not always easy
But it is possible if you shop around
Try Milk and Mummy
And JoJo Maman Bebe for inspiration
Put your feet up – rest as much as you need and do not be afraid to ask for help
This is important
Growing a human being is tiring work
Feeding a baby or toddler is tiring work
You need to rest
And you need to not feel guilty
For asking for or accepting help
This is harder in your first trimester
When you are feeling at your worst
But it is not at all obvious to anyone else
It is important to recognise when you need to take a break
And then make sure you take one!
Find ways to delegate jobs
And know that in years to come
You can do more than your fair share of jobs
If this year you sit back just a little
It only has to be a little
You are growing, feeding, nurturing a little person
Know Your Numbers – be prepared in case of a medical emergency
Whether you stay at home
Or go away
Make sure you have your pregnancy notes with you
And any numbers that you might need to call
It will make you feel more at ease
Knowing that you have the numbers you need
Should something happen
Should you have a question
Should something go wrong
Hopefully your Christmas will be merry and bright
Full of peace and goodwill
But it is better to be safe than sorry
It is better to be prepared
It is better to have all that you need
Including your hospital bag if you are that far along
Being pregnant or breastfeeding
At Christmas time
Can be a wonderful thing
A magical memorable thing
To treasure for the rest of time
I will forever be thankful for all my Christmases
With a baby on board
In one way or another
Especially Christmases 2011 and 2012