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Tips for Managing Holiday Stress during Pregnancy

December 15, 2014

The holidays are a special time of year when decorating, shopping, parties, family, and travel fill your days. Despite the excitement in the air, stress levels can soar. And it can be especially stressful when you’re pregnant or recently new to motherhood. Many women don’t realize how much stress they may be under and what negative effects excessive stress can do their bodies (and their babies).

This year, don’t fall victim to the stress of the holidays. Check out the tips we’ve compiled to help take some of that stress off you and your baby.

Plan Ahead & Double Your Time Allocations

Whether you want time to freeze so you can make your flight, or need just one more day to find that perfect present for Aunt Martha, we just can’t control time. No matter how hard we try to turn back the clock, the holidays are here and those deadlines are looming. The inability to control a situation can cause stress. Try making a schedule to map out your to-do list in the time you have available. But be sure to give yourself some wiggle room on each task. If you think you’ll need an hour to pack for your trip to the in-laws, give yourself two.

You Can’t Please Everyone. Mom & Baby Are Priority #1

The holidays are a time of giving. But when you’re pregnant you’re entitled to be a little selfish. Between the office parties, holiday dinners with friends and trips to see family, your calendar can fill up quickly. If you’re starting to get overwhelmed or feel your energy levels depleting, it’s OK to turn down an invitation. Getting proper rest and nutrition for you and your baby is the most important thing during a pregnancy.

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress reducer for everyone, and that’s still the case during pregnancy. Taking a 20-30 minute walk can really help clear you head. Every pregnancy is different, so we recommend talking with your doctor for specific exercise recommendations before beginning any exercise routine.

Keep Nutrition in Mind

As our schedules start to stack up it’s easy to get your meals out of whack. What we eat and drink has a huge impact on our bodies and how we handle stress. You may already be accustomed to stashing snacks in your purse to help curb cravings. But keep in mind the types of snacks you’re packing and make sure they are healthy and not loaded with sugars or carbs. Set a reminder on your phone to eat meals and snacks at certain times so you don’t forget. In addition to proper nutrition, prenatal vitamins are an excellent way to ensure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals you and your baby need.

Ask for Help. We All Need It.

Your spouse, significant other, close friend and family members are all great resources to help you keep your stress levels low. Just ask. You may not realize how much stress you’re under. They can act as a buffer or help you identify stressful situations.

It may not be realistic to implement all of these changes this holiday. But try committing to at least one and see what an impact you feel. Not only will these tips come in handy during the holidays, but implementing them year-round may help reduce your stress the other 11 months out of the year.

Happy Holidays!

 

Prenate® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

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