Christmas parties don't sound like so much fun when you've got a figgy puddy stuffed up your (not so little) black dress, your swollen ankles just won't fit into those strappy shoes and staying awake past 9 p.m. is a distant pre-pregnancy memory. Never fear, you don't have to be a party pooper - now you're partying for two and it is possible to look glam even when you've got a belly to rival Santa's!Here's our indispensable guide to surviving the festive season with style, ensuring you and your bump are the "bellies of every ball"!
Food
Eat before you go. It's important to keep your blood sugar levels up and party nibbles just won't hit the spot. Nutritionists recommend a bowl of cereal with milk as the ideal pre-party stomach filler.
Party foods to avoid:
• Keep away from raw or uncooked meats and meat pate. Vegetarian pates or terrines make a tasty safe alternative.
• There's often a cheese platter at Christmas parties, but only eat cheese that has been made with pasteurised milk. It usually says on the packaging. If you are at all unsure, steer clear.
• Salad garnishes are another thing to beware of. Lettuce that has not been properly washed can pose a health risk to pregnant women.
• Eating too many crisps can make you feel carbed out - look out for raw vegetable crudites instead.
• It's hard to stay off the sweet stuff at Christmas but eat sweet sugary foods in moderation or you could experience a huge low as your body deals with the sugar overload.
Top tips for the undercover mum
What if you haven't yet announced to the world that you are pregnant and don't want to be "outed" at the office party? How do you keep that bump under wraps without seeming like a party pooper?
• Come up with a drinks code. Make sure your partner buys all your drinks and agree a code beforehand so that when the other guests think you are asking for a gin and tonic what you are actually supping is a lemonade.
• Use your handbag as camouflage. Invest in a large, bump-sized hold-all in a bold design which can be held in front of your growing tummy and detract attention from your burgeoning new curves. After all, any excuse for a new handbag!
• Develop a tropical disease. Any ailment will do, so long as it's non-contagious and no one has ever heard of it. Symptoms include unexplained bouts of nausea, adverse reaction to certain foods, the need to visit the loo constantly and general lethargy. Curse the fact that the antibiotics you've been prescribed mean you can't even drink!
• Get your partner drinking for two. If it is simply impossible to avoid alcohol, play musical drinks with your nearest and dearest, i.e. he picks up your full drink and you pick up the one he has finished. Remember to act a bit tipsy if you really want to fool everyone, but with the clumsiness, memory loss and general dizziness that pregnancy brings with it this shouldn't be too difficult!
Surviving the season
The endless round of festivities, visits to relatives and late nights can take their toll. Here are a few ideas on how to keep your energy levels up throughout the party season.
• Overcome your fear of needles. Acupuncture has been proven to have a high degree of success in treating many of the symptoms of pregnancy, including fatigue, back pain, pelvic discomfort, swollen ankles and varicose veins, all of which might put you off the idea of partying. Certain acupuncture points are best avoided during pregnancy so find an experienced practitioner.
• Don't be a couch potato. Regular gentle exercise will help build up your stamina and energy levels. Nice walks or yoga can boost energy.
• Sniff out those healing hands. Regular aromatherapy body massages throughout pregnancy are a sure way of helping a mother-to-be to look and feel her best. It can help relieve fatigue, improve posture and circulation, lower high blood pressure and improve the complexion. Most importantly, it can help the mother-to-be to feel good about herself and keep her confidence in her looks.
• Think with your feet. Reflexology is a safe, natural therapy used to relax, balance and harmonise the body. According to reflexologists, It promotes relaxation throughout pregnancy and can be used to treat nausea and headaches, fluid retention, heartburn and fatigue among other things.
Perfect pregnant party hostess
Throwing a Christmas bash at your place needn't be a recipe for burn-out. Here are some tips for entertaining in style without overdoing it.
• Use paper plates to save on the washing up and use plastic glasses rather than using your own.
• Consider getting in caterers. If this seems too pricey, ask each of your guests to bring a plate of finger food (bump-friendly, of course). Devise a buffet menu and then specify what each person is to bring to avoid having seven plates of vol-au-vents!
• If you are determined to do all the catering yourself, make things you can do in advance, freeze and defrost on the day.
• Make up two big bowls of punch (one with the hard stuff and one non-alcoholic for yourself and other expectant mums!) Put out glasses and a ladle and encourage everyone to help themselves. That way you don't spend the entire event running round taking drinks orders.
• Take a power nap. Excuse yourself for half an hour, then lie down upstairs and recharge your batteries. You can always hide under the pile of coats on the bed if you don't want anyone to see you!
• Don't fret about cleaning the house from top to bottom in advance. Your guests are coming to see you, not to inspect for dust. Invite a couple of your closest friends over the following day to help with the clearing up.
• Throw a cheese and wine party. Catering for this couldn't be simpler. Just make sure you buy cheeses made with pasteurised milk. Alternatively, look for trays of ready-made party snacks at the supermarket. They do some wonderful selections and nobody needs to know they aren't homemade!
Staying comfortable
• Claim the best chair! Crowded bar, sitting room or the office: No matter what the venue is, there's bound to be at least one comfortable chair and it is yours by rights! Park yourself on it and hold court: let other guests gather round you. It'll make you feel like a VIP and ensure you keep back and leg ache firmly at bay.
• Avoid smokers. When you are pregnant your sense of smell is heightened and many pregnant women find that cigarette smoke really upsets their stomachs. Don't be afraid to ask other guests not to smoke near you. They are unlikely to mind and probably just haven't noticed you are pregnant (impossible as that might sound to you!)
Looking gorgeous
Flaunt that bump! Don't hide your gorgeous new curves. The other girls at the party might all be in little black numbers but you can bet that they (and all the men in the room) will only have eyes for the yummy mum-to-be. Don't hide your bump in a sack: There is a great range of clingy party dresses with something to suit all bumps and sizes - so stick out that tum for all to see!
• Enjoy your cleavage! Get a well-supporting bra and wear cross-over tops to give your bust the definition maternity underwear sometimes precludes. Go for plunging necklines, they'll draw all eyes to your assets, making you feel great for an evening!
• Make the most of your hair and skin. Pregnancy brings a new glow to your hair and skin, so treat yourself to a facial to accentuate that radiance or get your hair professionally styled for the evening to make yourself feel especially glamorous.
Get a pedicure. Pamper those feet. Your ankles might not be as slender as they could be, and your favourite strappy heels might be out of the question, but make sure your tootsies grab everyone's attention by getting them painted in a daring new shade.
Drink
• Avoid alcohol. You might be desperate for a glass of bubbly but alcohol affects you in different ways when you are pregnant. It can make you feel sick, give you indigestion, exacerbate water retention, etc. So abstinence is the best option. Official advice is that it's OK to drink one or two units of alchohol once or twice a week, but if you do choose to drink avoid homemade cocktails and punch - which can contain more alcohol than you realise.
• Keep off the caffeine. Fizzy drinks and hot beverages containing caffeine might seem the most appealing alternatives to alcohol, but beware: Caffeine acts as a diuretic. Combined with junior partying on your bladder all night long, they'll have you rushing to the loo even more frequently than usual!
• Go easy on the juice. Fruit juices are full of sugar so if you drink them all night you'll overload your system. They are also quite heavy and can make you feel bloated. Mix juice with sparkling water - this will lighten it and make it more digestible as well as reducing the sugar rush effect.
• Drink lots of water. Heat, dancing and salty snacks are a perfect recipe for dehydration and by the time you realise you are thirsty your body will already be feeling the effects, including tiredness, headache, etc.