Foods To Eat And Avoid During Your Ninth Month of Pregnancy

You are nearing the final stage of your pregnancy venture! You will have an antenatal visit every week during this month. You may already have known your due date. But, keep in mind that only 4% of expecting mothers deliver (naturally) on the due date. Therefore, it is important to understand the early signs of labor. Also, it is important to understand food to eat and avoid during your ninth month of pregnancy.

Ninth Month Pregnancy Symptoms

Most expecting moms (particularly first-time) experience sleep deprivation during the ninth month of pregnancy. The doubts and questions like, When will I have my delivery? Will the delivery be normal or C-section? Will the labor pains be unbearable? How can I recognize the labor pain contractions? Will my baby be born healthy?

A thousand questions and doubts like these can be whirling around your mind presenting you with restless nights. If not because of these psychological reasons, most of the physical issues that disturb you during the last two months will be at their summit promoting sleep deprivation during the night. Try to maintain a positive mind during this month. That will help for an issue-less delivery.

Here are some remarkable changes you experience during these last weeks of gestation:

1. Fatigue

Fatigue will be your constant companion this month. Resting in a comfortable position gets more outlandish with every passing day, making you feel more drained.

2. Increased Vaginal Discharge

Your vaginal discharge increases, so that you might have to use extra pads. No need to worry about that anymore. It is quite normal and natural. However, you have to seek medical attention if it is smelly or itchy.

You can lose your mucous attachment from the cervix range amid this time. In spite of the fact this can be a sign of about to start labor, do not form a hasty opinion unless other symptoms of labor accompany you.

3. Increased Frequency of Urination

As the growing womb keeps on pushing down on the bladder, you start to urinate more frequently. The baby moves into a headfirst position (as a part of preparing to get into the birth canal).

This will create more pressure in the pelvic area, which further increases your restroom trips. Therefore, there is no need to worry if you feel the sharp agony in the bladder and you feel that you will wet yourself any minute.

4. Lower Back Ache

You may endure never-ending back pain as the pressure on your sciatic nerve increases.

5. No More Shortness of Breath

As the baby falls to the lower position, there will be no more pressure on the diaphragm exerted by the growing uterus. Therefore, you will not any longer feel shortness of breath.

6. Diarrhea

You will experience diarrhea towards the second half of the ninth month. No need to worry about that. This happens as the outcome of the body preparing for the upcoming labor.

7. Increased Breast Leakage

More colostrum is produced and the breast leakage increases during this month.

8. Aches

Experiencing discomfort while walking, feeling pelvic pain, back pain, pain in joints, etc., are very common during this time.

9. Increased Braxton Hicks Contractions

The frequency and intensity of Braxton Hicks contractions will increase.

Development of the Baby in the Ninth Month of Pregnancy

By now, your baby is all set and well-prepared to enter the world. All the organ systems of the baby are fully developed and functional. Here are some significant happenings regarding your baby during this month:

Size: The baby will be around 3.2 kg and around 55 cm long.
Skin: The vernix caseosa, a white waxy substance that covers the baby’s skin to protect it from constant contact with the amniotic fluid, starts to shed off slowly.
Nails: The nails of the baby will grow longer during the ninth month of pregnancy.
Lungs: The baby is breathing through the amniotic fluid as the lungs are fully developed with enough surfactant coating and the respiratory system is well functioning.
Muscles: The muscle of the baby is well developed. Though the number of kicks is decreased, the ones you get will be stronger than last month’s ones. Now he is able to grab things strongly.
Kidney: The kidneys become fully functional and produce more urine during this month.
Bones: Though the bones of the baby’s skull will not fuse together until after quite some days after birth, the skeletal system of the baby is well developed.
Hair: The head of the baby will be covered with hair (the thickness and the color depend on his genes).

What Should be Included in the Ninth Month Pregnancy Diet?

Now let’s understand the food to eat and avoid during your ninth month of pregnancy. Eat calorie-rich, nutritious, and easily digestible food during your 9th month of pregnancy. Increase the number of servings so that you no more feel hungry. Make sure you, at least, drink two liters of water per day. Make sure per day you take:

3-4 servings of vegetable salad
2-3 servings of fruit salad
4 servings of dairy products
Whole grains 6-8 servings
At least one bowl of leafy greens

Here is the list of food you should include in your diet during the 9th month of pregnancy. Include food rich in:

1. Fiber

To keep constipation at bay, you ought to continue consuming a lot of fiber-rich food during this final month of gestation. Bear in mind that the water in your digestive tract is quickly absorbed by fiber, so drink a lot of water and different liquids to avoid the consequences of dehydration.

Here is the list of food rich in fiber:

Legumes
Food items made with whole grain
Vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, celery, etc.
Fruits like avocados

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is vital for assimilating iron from iron-rich food.

Here is the list of vitamin C rich foods:

Guava
Kiwi
Broccoli
Kale
Citrus fruits
Tomato
Peas

3. Proteins

Proteins are building blocks of tissues. Even during the ninth month, your baby is gaining weight and needs a lot of protein for growth.

To ensure an adequate amount of protein, include the following in your diet:

Black Beans
Chicken breast
Lean meat
Soy milk
Chickpea
Egg whites
Tofu
Dairy products

4. Calcium

A significant part of the bone development happens amid the eighth and ninth months, thus an admission of food rich in calcium is vital amid this time. Dairy products are rich in calcium. Remember to take low-fat products for controlling the pregnancy weight.

Include the following to ensure optimum calcium intake:

Milk
Yogurt
Paneer
Cheese
Oatmeal
Almonds
Sesame seeds

5. Iron

Maintaining an optimum iron level is not only vital during the last weeks of the pregnancy, but also significant for the upcoming breastfeeding phase.

Here is the list of iron-rich food:

Dark green vegetables like kale, spinach, turnip leaves, etc.
Dried fruits like raisins, apricots, etc.
Food fortified with iron like cereals, pasta, etc.
Poultry
Soybeans
Pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, etc.

6. Folic Acid

Continue eating food with a sufficient quantity of folic acid because it is necessary for the breastfeeding period too. Consume 600 to 800 micrograms of folic acid per day.

Include the following in your pregnancy diet:

Dark leafy vegetables
Oranges
Oatmeal
Whole grain bread
Fortified Cereals

7. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide calories and thereby help to maintain energy, not only the upcoming labor and delivery, but also to satisfy the role of motherhood that follows. Here is the list of carbohydrate-rich food:

Potatoes
Sweet corn
Whole-grain Pasta, whole grain cereals and bread
Nuts
Wheat
Oatmeal
Bulger
Legumes
Banana

What Foods Should I Avoid During the Ninth Month of Pregnancy?

As we covered food to eat in the topic-food to eat and avoid during your ninth month of pregnancy-, let’s understand what not to eat. It is important to avoid certain food at this stage of pregnancy to facilitate labor and promote the growth and development of the unborn baby:

Limit the intake of caffeine, not exceeding more than 200 mg every day.
Alcohol and tobacco should be totally avoided as consumption of these has been linked to fetal and maternal complications.
Avoid artificial sweeteners, especially the ones containing saccharine.
Many families ask the mother-to-be to eat a lot of ghee so as to facilitate smoother delivery. However, do exercise and restrain yourself from ghee as it will add more weight.
Soft cheeses and raw seafood are best avoided to prevent any risk of infection.

Tips To Manage Your Meals During The Ninth Month Of Pregnancy

Avoid heartburn-causing, and excess weight-gaining food during this phase of pregnancy. Here are a few tips that help to manage your meals during this last phase of pregnancy:

Avoid eating large meals in one sitting. Instead, divide your meals into five or six instead of three.
Furthermore, long periods of an empty stomach are not recommended during this phase of pregnancy.
Getting enough calcium will keep your bones healthy and help you to breastfeed your newborn a few weeks down the road.
Use low-fat milk and dairy products to bring down the chances of gaining extra kilos.
This month, swelling is likely to be at its worst. Drink plenty of fluids to reduce the swelling.
Avoid fried foods, foods high in fat content, and sweets at this stage of pregnancy.
Include more fresh vegetables and fruits to prevent constipation.
Reduce your intake of sodium-rich food

Now you understand food to eat and avoid during your ninth month of pregnancy. A couple of weeks to go and you will encounter an assortment of feelings, from excitement to anxiety. “Lightning”, the dropping of the baby lower into the mother’s pelvis, can happen any minute during the initial weeks of the ninth month (it usually happens 2 – 4 weeks before delivery). Therefore, eat right and take plenty of rest.

FAQ’s

1. Can I Eat Papaya in my 9th Month of Pregnancy?

No. It is not safe. It can cause pre-term labor.

2. Should I Avoid Sea Foods in my Final Trimester?

Yes, you should. Most sea foods are not safe during pregnancy. They can carry harmful bacteria.

3. Can I Drink Coffee in my 9th Month of Pregnancy?

Yes, you can. Do not drink too much though. If you are at a risk of pre term labor, your doctor will advise you to avoid caffeine.

4. Can I Consume Dairy Products in my Final Trimester?

Yes, you can. It can be very healthy. However, if you are experiencing digestive issues, reduce intake.