How to Enjoy Christmas When You’re Trying to Conceive

If you’re trying for a baby this year, Christmas can seem different. You might be feeling many emotions, especially if it’s taking longer than you’d expected to become pregnant. However, it’s still possible to enjoy the holidays and celebrate in style. Read our tips on enjoying Christmas when you’re trying to conceive to help you find moments of joy in the festive season.

Ways to Enjoy Christmas When You’re Trying to Conceive

Prioritise Your Wellbeing

If you’re trying for a baby over Christmas, your feelings can be complicated. You might be in full-on festive mode and excited about what’s to come. Or you might be feeling flat and not in the mood to celebrate. It’s OK to feel exactly how you’re feeling, remember you don’t have to be in the most Christmassy mood ever just because it’s December.

Make decisions for your Christmas social life based on how you feel, not what you think is expected of you. Don’t feel guilty about saying no to events if you’re not feeling mentally or physically up to them. At the same time, you don’t have to put your life on hold. It’s OK to go out and celebrate if that’s what you want, especially if you think having fun will cheer you up or take your mind off things.

Try And Stick To A Healthy Routine

It can be tempting to overindulge at Christmas, but try and stick to a healthy routine where possible when you’re trying for a baby. While it is the season for Christmas treats, make sure you also eat your five a day with healthy fruit and veg too.

Christmas can be busy but try and make time to fit in exercise as this is beneficial for your body and it can also help lift your mood. Even if you don’t want to do a full session at the gym, long family walks are a fun part of Christmas, and the fresh air will also make you feel better.

If you’re staying up late, catch-up on sleep when you can as this can be positive for you and your mood. Try and prioritise lie-ins, sofa naps, or factor in as much down time as you’re able to.

Be Prepared For Big Events

While big festive gatherings with family and friends can be lovely, they are also a potential minefield of other people’s pregnancy announcements and questions about baby plans from well-meaning but slightly insensitive well wishers. If you anticipate an event might be difficult, try and think of strategies to help you cope - don’t be afraid to go home early, take time out if you need to, and pre-prepare responses to bat off any insensitive questions.

Look For Alcohol-Free Or Low Alcohol Drinks Choices

If you are avoiding alcohol this party season, grab the festive mocktail menu for non-alcoholic versions of your usual cocktail that taste just as good. Most bars and pubs now sell a wide range of low alcohol or alcohol-free drinks as standard, such as Lucky Saint or Guinness Zero. If trying for a baby is something you’re keeping to yourself for now, you don’t have to announce to people that you’re not drinking – if you have a glass in your hand, people often won’t question what’s in it.

Take Time Each Day To Rest And Relax

Although Christmas can be busy with gatherings, parties and events, it is important to still find ways to decompress each day. Try and make time for whatever relaxing activities you normally do, like yoga or Pilates. Look online YouTube tutorials if you can't attend a class or it’s cancelled over the break.

If you are in a busy house with lots of guests, see if you can sneak off to use a mindfulness app or listen to a relaxation podcast on headphones – or put these when you’re going to bed.

Have a Cosy Christmas For Two

If you don’t feel in the mood for big parties, celebrate in low-key style with your partner instead. Prioritise nice meals out, cinema trips, or cosy evenings in watching your favourite festive films. This is a great time to check in with each other to better understand how you're both feeling.

Remember, don’t feel bad about protecting your mental health and turning things down, prioritise what brings you joy this year instead.

Customer FAQs on Trying to Conceive at Christmas

What Fertility-Friendly Foods Can I Eat At Christmas?

If you are wondering what fertility-friendly foods you can eat at Christmas, remember that when you are trying for a baby it is advised you should adopt a diet that is healthy, varied and balanced, including plenty of starchy foods, a wide range of colourful fruits and vegetables, protein sources and some dairy.

Look for festive foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables as day. Choose iron rich protein foods such as lean meats, eggs, beans and lentils and try to include one portion of oily fish each week such as salmon, trout, mackerel or sardines. For more info read our post on what to eat when you’re trying for a baby.

How Do I Avoid Overindulging But Still Enjoy Festive Treats When TTC?

Remember that it is fine to enjoy the odd festive treat when you are TTC, but try and stick to a healthy, varied and balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg where possible. Pick out in advance which treats you really want to indulge in, to avoid overloading on food just because it is there. And try and avoid grazing or eating when you’re not hungry.

How Do I Say No To Family Gatherings Politely When TTC Is Emotionally Tough?

If you feel like family gatherings will be too much when you are trying to TTC, it is OK to say no and turn things down. If there’s anyone in your family you can confide in about what you are going through, it can help you to have someone to chat to and it will also help explain to them about why things are slightly different this year. However, you also don’t have to give reasons why you’re doing this, if you don’t want to, it is fine to keep things as vague as possible.

How Much Rest Should I Prioritise If I’m TTC Over Christmas?

Prioritise as much rest as you feel you need over Christmas. While the festive period can be busy, make sure you take time out to rest and relax where possible.

If You’re Trying For A Baby, Try Our Pregnacare Before Pregnancy Supplements

If you’re trying for a baby, the UK Department of Health recommend that women take a daily 400ug supplement of folic acid for at least one month before and for at least the first trimester of pregnancy. It can also be beneficial to take it for at least 3 months before conception, to safeguard your nutritional stores. Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status. Low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus. The beneficial effect is obtained with a supplemental folic acid daily intake of 400µg for at least one month before and up to three months after conception. Our Pregnacare before pregnancy supplements is a range of products to be taken before pregnancy, for when you’re thinking about trying for a baby, and provide advanced nutritional support for women trying to conceive, including 400ug folic acid, the exact level recommended by the UK Department of Health from the start of trying to conceive as well as vitamin D, which plays a role in the process of cell division. Plus zinc, which is scientifically proven to support normal fertility and reproduction. Find out more in our post on the ultimate guide to Pregnacare.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional regarding any medical condition. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the blog and to describe best generally accepted current practices we cannot accept any liability for errors or omissions or for any consequences from application of the information given.