HOW TO SURVIVE PREGNANCY ON THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving through the trimesters
How to survive pregnancy on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is coming quickly, and pregnant women everywhere both rejoice and lament the occasion. Conflict is the name of the game when it comes to being pregnant on Thanksgiving. On one hand, there is no time more socially acceptable for a woman to engorge herself on all of the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dinner rolls, and pumpkin pie she wants. And yet, any pregnant woman will tell you, it just isn’t that simple. Thanks to all of the wonderful things that go on through the three trimesters when food is involved, Thanksgiving is both a blessing and a curse to pregnant women of all stages.
Buns in the Oven and Rolls on the Table
First Trimester Woes and Keeping Your News Under Wraps
Thanksgiving in the first trimester is the year to consider skipping the big, family party. Especially if the news has not yet been shared, it may only take the scent of the sweet potatoes to set off your gag reflex.
If you can’t bear the thought of missing the big, annual event, and nausea and vomiting are a particular problem for you, consider asking your doctor for an anti- nausea tablet so that you can at least get through the day without blowing your cover (literally, and figuratively).
Enjoy All the Food You Can Fit ... But Also Don’t
Why the Second Trimester is the Saddest of All Trimesters on T-Day
So here it is: the time to shine. Experiencing Thanksgiving while pregnant in the second trimester should be like reaching the land of milk and honey, it’s a mountain of mashed potatoes with fountains of gravy. You’re eating for two (or maybe more) after all, so just one more piece of pie should be fine... right?
Sort of, but not really. While moms-to-be do need to increase their caloric intake through out pregnancy, they still need to watch what they eat, how much they eat, and that they are eating the right foods. Make sure to check what you are eating, and that you aren’t eating any foods with a listeria risk (such as uncooked deli meats, unprocessed cheeses or milk, and soft served ice cream).
And remember to stay light on the desserts. The real fun of the second trimester [eye roll] is the ever-dreaded glucose tolerance test. While most forms of diabetes are tied to genetics and long-term metabolic changes, gestational diabetes, unfortunately, can be impacted by what you’ve eaten, and pie is on the no-no list.
Get This Turkey Out Of Me!
When You’re Done Being Pregnant, But It’s Still the Holiday Season
If you are in your third trimester, it’s likely that your doctor instructed you not to travel out of the area anymore. This means you may miss any of your traditional Thanksgiving dinners out of the area, which can be hard - especially when your emotions and hormones have run wild again as you near the end of your pregnant road.
While sticking close to home, whether it be on your own or with local family or friends, make sure not to overcommit your time on your feet. Rather than hosting, consider eating out at a nice restaurant; or have your significant other help you prepare a dish to take to a friend’s house that is hosting. This isn’t the time to be standing in the kitchen making pie crusts from scratch, or basting 20 pound birds.
You are also likely hungrier than ever at this point, but also uncomfortable and filled easily. To make sure you can enjoy all the fixings, graze rather than gorge. Eat slowly, sample small amounts, and take plenty of breaks.
Whatever you do for Thanksgiving while pregnant, and whatever trimester you happen to be in, it will definitely be a new and eye opening experience for you. But on the flip side, it is the day of thanks, and this year, you have more to be thankful for than ever before.
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