How to Survive a Cocktail Party While Pregnant

Okay, you're pregnant. Face it: You can't live it up in exactly the same ways you used to. But there still are plenty of ways to have a good time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fruit Juices
• Ice
• Mineral Water
• Ice

1. Enjoy the ready supply of juices and sparkling waters. Mix 'em up in unusual combinations and savor letting someone else fill your glass.

2. Try out some new, fancy varieties of crackers, that favorite antidote to nausea. Most parties will probably take you a couple steps up from saltines.

3. Revel in not wanting to drink, if that's been your body's response to pregnancy. Who needs the extra calories? Who needs the dehydration and morning-after headaches?

4. Enjoy a glass of wine or a beer if you're out of that first fragile trimester and you're in the mood.

5. Get people talking. With your more grounded mental attitude you should be able to pick up some good stories or gossip.

6. Seek out other pregnant women or new parents. They're likely to be as obsessed with babies as you are.

7. Eat, eat, eat all those lovely finger foods. That hearty appetite of pregnancy ensures that you'll get nutrients to your growing babe.

8. Flirt with your husband. In a matter of months you'll have a little one in tow, and finding time for romance will be a far greater struggle.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear comfortable shoes. Standing for a long time is no great pleasure during pregnancy.
• Ignore social disapproval if you choose to have a drink in your second or third trimester. It will be good practice for dealing with people on the street who give you advice about how to care for your baby.
• If you do have a beer, follow it up with lots of water or juice. You want to keep your body well hydrated all the time - especially during pregnancy.
• Do not drink alcohol during your first trimester. You don't want to run any risk of damaging that delicate fetus.
• Research indicates that a glass of wine or beer once in awhile (no more than one serving a day) later in pregnancy is OK - but there still may be risks of fetal alcohol syndrome. Discuss this issue with your health-care provider.

[docmomi]

on 2/4/2009 I love this topic. After, being pregnant through Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Holiday parties, and New Years...it was a little depressing at first! Clothing was a challenge and standing too long (no one realizes that the preggo girl should be sitting!). All the toasting and speaking to relatives and strangers sober while everyone else has had the benefit of a warm up...However, there is hope! It did get easier and I realized I could have a great time with or without a drink. Also, it is nice to know that there is always a designated driver in tow :)

[trying1234]

on 9/20/2008 So my issue is that my husband and I are trying to conceive but aren't openly telling people that we are. I have to go to a work party today and don't want my coworkers (especially my boss) know that we are trying to have a baby as I know this may adversly affect my job position (I know it shouldn't be this way but it is complicated)... I don't want to discuss it with my boss as we may not be able to get pregnant for a while! any advice?

on 9/21/2006 You may get very tired at some point and either want a short nap, to rest or to go to bed early. Ask the host or hostess if there if a quiet place you can rest or sleep. Or arrange for whoever you went with to have an alternate ride home in case you decide to leave early.

on 9/21/2006 People will understand that you are pregnant and not drinking, they will be considerate and helpful. Although some people will say that one drink will not hurt the baby after the third trimester... this is untrue. It's like Russian roulette, you never know when or how much will harm the baby.

on 8/8/2006 As a mother of triplets, and one very large baby, I know that dressing when you have a tiny little bump can be cute, dressing when you have a Volkswagen Beetle strapped to your stomach isn't so cute. People will forgive you if you're not dressed to the nines. I had several bridal showers, weddings and parties to go to while I was pregnant, and Target was great for me. While the selection could have been better, those comfy jersey dresses- some with sexy V-necks, others with pretty embroidery, got me through all those parties!