Looking for things to do while pregnant in the winter?
In this guide, we’re sharing 19 safe and fun things to do while pregnant in the winter as well as 5 things to avoid.
Ready to have some fun this season? Keep reading!
19 Things to Do While Pregnant in The Winter
Check out these things to do while pregnant in the winter.
Find your winter pregnancy style
If you’re conscious about your style, you might be considering your winter maternity fashion. How can you combine comfort with what looks good?
When it comes to winter pregnancy style, think about:
- Long coats
- Long knit sweater dresses
- Fleece-lined leggings paired with long tops
- Long skirts paired with knitted sweaters or crop tops
- A buttoned knit sweater layered with a camisole
Use Pinterest for inspiration. Incorporate what you love into your everyday style or for a winter maternity shoot.
Take winter pregnancy pictures
Winter pregnancy pictures can turn out beautifully no matter which climate you’re in. Whether a simple indoor shoot with winter accessories or a glitzy shot framed by freshly fallen snow, there are numerous options to suit your style.
Read: 29 Winter Maternity Shoot Ideas for Magical Memories
Snuggle up with a book
The coldest season is the ideal time to catch up on reading. Relax yourself into a new novel or catch up on all those baby books you’ve been meaning to read.
Walking
If you’re looking for things to do while pregnant in the winter, go for a beautiful winter walk. Choose a short trail in a nearby park or take a stroll down a neighborhood with beautiful Christmas lights.
Make sure you have footwear that is appropriate for the conditions and remember that ice poses a falling hazard. With a big baby belly, it may be more difficult to maintain balance during pregnancy.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great way to get outside and explore during the colder months. It’s also usually safe to do while pregnant with some considerations:
- Get the right size snowshoe
- Don’t exert yourself and go at your own pace
- Carry a minimal load to limit the weight you’re carrying
- Stick to trails within your ability
As always, check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise during pregnancy.
Play bartender—mocktail style
During the winter season, holiday parties may have everyone drinking alcoholic beverages. While you’re abstaining, try to have a little fun by playing mocktail bartender. Gather a variety of juices, sodas and seasonal garnishes and see what recipes you can come up with. For inspiration, check out these 11 festive winter mocktails.
Cross-country skiing
As long as you’re not exerting yourself, cross-country skiing is okay during most pregnancies (but as always, be sure to check with your doctor first).
Cross-country skiing is a great way to get cardiovascular exercise while pregnant. Since there’s little impact on the joints and—unlike snowboarding—there’s little risk of falling, it’s an ideal way to get outdoors during winter.
With that being said, if you’ve never cross-country skied before, now isn’t a great time to learn. There are a few other things to consider:
- Avoid steep slopes
- Avoid downhill skiing
- Avoid icy conditions
- Stick to trails within your ability
Take a cooking lesson
Cooking is a cozy activity that’s perfect for the winter season. It’s also a great idea to learn how to prepare healthy food during pregnancy. Consider taking an in-person cooking class in your community. You can also search YouTube for a cooking class to follow along with. For example, Gordon Ramsay has a variety of free cooking classes. Start with Gordon Ramsay’s Top Basic Cooking Skills.
Pamper yourself
When the weather gets cold, why not book a cozy day at the spa? Pamper yourself with a prenatal massage and manicure too! You can also have a budget-friendly spa day at home by giving yourself a facial and having your partner give you a nice massage.
Yoga
Winter is a great time to stay inside and get into a yoga routine. There are many prenatal yoga videos on YouTube you can follow. You can also search for in-person classes in your city or town.
Swimming
Swimming is a great activity to do all year round. When it’s too cold to go outdoors, find an indoor pool near you. Swimming while pregnant is a great way to get exercise while reducing the pressure on your joints. This is a particularly great choice for those who have pain or have trouble doing other types of exercise.
As a bonus, research also shows that aquatic exercise can help prevent excessive maternal weight gain.
Bubble bath
While hot tubs are unsafe because of the hot temperatures, try having a warm bubble bath featuring your favorite scent, novel and candles.
Holiday shop… online
If you aren’t already, consider Christmas shopping online this year. Your aching feet and back don’t need to be walking through the mall when they could be relaxing on the couch “adding to cart.” Give yourself a break this year by planning to do your holiday shopping online.
Movie night
Catch up on all those movies you’ve been meaning to watch by having a movie night at home. Also, consider a good old-fashioned night at the theatre.
Have a game night
Have a cozy gathering inside with friends or family by hosting a game night. Choose a few games you know everyone will like. Options can include:
- Board games
- Card games
- Online games like Jackbox Games
- Interactive games like Pictionary
- Mystery games
Make a pregnancy time capsule
Keep your pregnancy a living memory forever by creating a pregnancy time capsule. You can include your sonogram or maternity photos, family interviews, heartbeat recordings, and personal messages inside your keepsake container.
Once your child grows up and turns a milestone age, like 18, give them this time capsule to keep forever.
Read: DIY Pregnancy Time Capsule: 20 Baby Keepsake Box Ideas
Pick up a new hobby
If you’re not sure what to do with your extra time indoors, consider trying a new hobby. Ideas include:
- Knitting
- Painting
- Journaling
- Photography
- Scrapbooking
For more ideas, read: Hobbies While Pregnant: 14 New Low-Energy + Fun Ideas
Go to a local winter market
Many cities and towns feature holiday and winter markets showcasing local vendors. Take a stroll and see what your area has to offer!
Find a therapist
Perinatal depression affects 1 in 7 women, which is about 15% of pregnancies. Another added factor during the winter is seasonal depression, which may be caused by a lack of light during the winter months.
If you’re experiencing depression during pregnancy, now is a good time to reach out for help. Find a local therapist or ask your community health center about low-cost mental health resources in your area.
Read: Pregnant with Depression: Symptoms, Causes + 5 Coping Tools
Winter Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy
You should avoid the activities below during winter if you’re pregnant.
Shoveling snow
During pregnancy, get someone else to shovel the driveway! You can quickly over-exert yourself while shoveling, which can be dangerous for the baby. The icy ground can also present a slip-and-fall hazard while you’re moving around. On top of that, the act of shoveling can make any existing back pain even worse.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding presents a falling hazard and is riskier while pregnant. Consider that your growing baby belly can throw you off balance, making it more likely that you’ll slam into a tree or another snowboarder. Instead, consider some of the other winter sports suggested above.
Ice skating
Skating during early pregnancy can be okay as long as you’re careful. However, as your belly grows, your shifting balance can present a challenge. It’s best to avoid ice skating later on in pregnancy. Also keep in mind that if you don’t already know how to skate, pregnancy isn’t an ideal time to learn because of falling hazards.
Sledding
Although being pulled on a sled on flat ground can be safe, sledding downhill is unsafe during pregnancy. Your belly can make balancing a challenge. Plus, you don’t want to risk you and your baby bumping into a tree!
Hot tubs
Hot tubs can seem like a relaxing way to retreat during winter, but the hot temperatures are unsafe during pregnancy. Try a warm bath instead.
Summary: Things to Do While Pregnant in the Winter
There are a variety of fun things to do while pregnant in the winter. From finding your winter maternity fashion and taking winter pregnancy pictures to outdoor exercise, there’s a variety of safe activities to choose from. Make sure to stay away from activities like shoveling snow, snowboarding and sledding during pregnancy.
P.S. Have You tried a Fetal Doppler Yet?
Fetal dopplers are handheld devices that allow you to hear your baby’s heartbeat from inside the womb. Parents say that it allows them to bond with their baby before birth.