When you’re expecting, one thing quickly becomes clear: the world doesn’t pause for your pregnancy. While you’re navigating those 40 (or more) weeks sipping on water, juice, or some mocktail that would be a lot better with a splash of vodka, your friends are living it up — getting married, partying, and enjoying happy hour. Rude, right?
However, your social life doesn’t have to come to a halt just because you’re pregnant. You’ll still find yourself at events, catching up with friends, and enduring dinners. To keep your sanity intact, you’ve got to keep showing up. But let’s be honest: some events are more bearable than others when you’re sober. Here are the top offenders:
1. Concerts
I’ve attended five concerts while pregnant, from the Nashville cast to Ed Sheeran and even Lollapalooza. Each had its own vibe and crowd, which definitely impacts how enjoyable it is. Generally, you can enjoy live music without a drink in hand — except maybe for Lolla. For that, you might want to be a little tipsy… or at least buzzed!
2. Football Season/Tailgating
Fall and football are my jam! College game days and Sunday Funday are highlights of my year. I also have a soft spot for day drinking. But once I got over the initial bummer of being unable to drink during my pregnancy, it was smooth sailing—until one lovely fall day when the sun was shining and the bars were packed. Never have I craved a drink more!
3. Bachelorette Parties
I was invited to a bachelorette bash in Vegas while pregnant. If I could have gone, I wouldn’t have wanted to! How can you enjoy the glitz of Vegas without a cocktail in hand? I did attend one in Chicago but skipped the wild daytime bar crawl. Being the most sober person at a dinner gathering isn’t ideal, especially when you can’t play catch-up. I also hosted a bachelorette party for my sister, which was a mix of fun and annoyance, but at least I got some excellent people-watching out of it!
4. Weddings
This is a mixed bag. I’ve been to three weddings while pregnant, and I have another on the horizon. The enjoyment factor often depends on the hosts and the crowd. Thankfully, my friends are great company, and I’ve had a blast at each one—even without a drink! The upside? Delicious food and desserts galore! Plus, people-watching drunk guests on the dance floor can be quite entertaining, especially when you can recount the night to those who can’t remember a thing.
5. Vacations
The impact of sobriety can vary depending on your destination. I went to Puerto Rico for our anniversary and missed enjoying fruity cocktails by the pool. However, our babymoon in New York revolved around food instead of bars, which worked out. But let’s be real—vacations are meant for relaxation, and for many of us, that often includes enjoying a drink or two. Whether it’s a quick stop at a wine bar or a beer at lunch, vacations feel incomplete without cocktails.
6. Holidays
Celebrations are the perfect excuse to indulge, and what better way to elevate the festivities than with a drink? Holidays also mean family time, and let’s face it, sometimes you need a little liquid courage to deal with your relatives. I’ve tackled the Fourth of July, my birthday, and Halloween sober, and I’ll likely still be pregnant for Thanksgiving. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s with a baby in one hand and a drink in the other. In any case, navigating family gatherings sober can be a real challenge—especially when you can’t blame your drunkenness for calling Aunt Sally a “charming” name after her comment about your baby bump!
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Summary
Being pregnant and sober can be a challenge, particularly at concerts, football games, bachelorette parties, weddings, vacations, and holidays. While your social life doesn’t have to stop, some events can be more difficult than others. With a little patience and some good friends, you can still enjoy these occasions, even without a drink.