It may have been either a rough ride and maybe you are turning green and excessively drained, making it impossible for you to get off the bed. Or an easy ride and you may be feeling fit as a fiddle. Either way, you are almost there, very close to the home stretch. Now it is imperative to pay extra attention and be aware of foods to eat and avoid during your eighth month of pregnancy.
During these eight months of pregnancy, you have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of your baby. Now, you need to ensure that your body is in the ideal condition to face the upcoming delivery. And, food plays a critical role in this.
In This Article
- Eighth Month Pregnancy Symptoms
- Development of the Baby in the Eighth Month of Pregnancy
- What Should be Included in the Eighth Month Pregnancy Diet?
- What Foods Should I Avoid During the Eighth Month of Pregnancy?
- Diet Tips For 8th Month Pregnancy
- FAQ’s
Eighth Month Pregnancy Symptoms
The rapid weight gain of the mother (as during the seventh month of pregnancy) proceeds in the eighth month as well. Your belly has grown noticeably (than the previous month) big. Your body will be working hard to adjust to these changes. Besides, these modifications are not always really pleasant. Here are some of the important signs you experience during this month.
- The Braxton Hicks contractions become more prominent and frequent.
- As the fluid retention increases, so will be the swelling of the limbs.
- Shortness of breath will start to bother you more.
- You will experience the ill effects of urine leakage, once in a while, when you cough, sneeze or lift heavy objects. No need to worry. This happens while managing the baby inside the womb. Doing Kegel Exercises will help to fight incontinence.
- Hot flashes, heartburn, indigestion, etc., continue to trouble you.
- There will be an increase in vaginal discharge.
- Backache and pelvic pain may increase due to the increased release of hormone relaxin loosening the joints and ligaments (to undergo easy labor and delivery).
- When you are asleep or lying down for quite a while, you may encounter leg spasms.
Development of the Baby in the Eighth Month of Pregnancy
Here are some key developments and changes that are happening to the baby:
- The baby will be around 2.5 kg by the end of this month.
- The kicking and wriggling movements will continue to reduce this month as well. There is nothing to stress over this, as the child is running out of space to swim around. Your uterus is, as of now, extended to as far as possible and the volume of amniotic liquid is reduced as well.
- Lanugo, the fine and soft hair that covered the baby’s skin, will now start to disappear slowly. A thick layer of vernix caseosa continues to cover your child’s skin.
- At this stage, you will discover the wrinkles of the skin backing off in your infant. The skin seems firm and the whole body becomes plumpy.
- The child will want to stay in a head-down (cephalic) position from now onwards as the baby is also preparing to face the procedure of delivery.
- Quick advancements are happening in the brain as well. The nerve cells keep on multiplying at a fast pace. Now the baby starts to understand and connect with its mother.
- The immune system of the baby is eventually developing and now the baby can shield itself from minor infections.
What Should be Included in the Eighth Month Pregnancy Diet?
Your child nonetheless has some growing to undergo during this month and you have to prepare yourself for upcoming labor and delivery. Maintaining an ideal diet during this stage of pregnancy may not be easy. By this time the baby presses against your stomach and intestines and the heartburn episodes will also increase.
All these make it hard to eat a lot at a time. Consuming a small meal at a time and eating slowly (without any rush) will help to reduce these symptoms. A solid eating routine and way of life are critical during this month to overcome the pain and tiredness.
Therefore, take the following measures.
1. Increase the Intake of Carbohydrates
Carbs are a vital source of energy during pregnancy. Without sufficient energy, the body of the mother cannot support the growth of the baby. Some of the best sources of carbs include:
- Potatoes, Sweet corn
- Whole-grain Pasta
- Nuts
- Wheat, Oatmeal, Bulger
- Legumes
- Whole grain cereals and bread
- Banana
2. Consume Food Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals
Ensure you are having enough amount of iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C during this month. Include the following food in your daily menu:
- Dried fruits and nuts like raisins, almonds, walnut, etc.
- Dairy products
- Banana
- Green leafy vegetables, Broccoli, Kale
- Cereals fortified with iron
- Sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds
- Citrus fruits
- Oat barn and Barley
3. Increase the Intake of Fiber-Rich Food
To keep constipation at bay, you ought to ensure the intake of a lot of fiber-rich food. 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
4. Eat Lots of Protein Rich Food
Proteins are building blocks of tissues. Even during the eighth month, your baby is gaining around 200 grams per week and needs a lot of protein for this development. You have to consume around 100 grams of protein per day during this month. 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
- Nuts and seeds
- Dairy products
5. Food Rich in DHA
The rapid development of the brain is also happening this month. Eat a lot of DHA- enriched food, as, DHA, an essential fatty acid, is significant for the healthy development of a baby’s brain. You will need to get around 200 milligrams a day. You can achieve this by including:
You might be wondering how to imbibe a healthy eating schedule with the baby pressing against your intestines and hardly any space remaining for food. Heartburn may be another major problem. However, do keep in mind that the baby still needs some growing up to do to gear for a healthy arrival.
Plus, you need to be ready for labor and delivery. This month’s healthy eating and maintaining good nutrition may seem like a difficult task, but remember that it has huge returns to offer. Here comes the importance of your awareness of foods to eat and avoid during your eighth month of pregnancy.
What Foods Should I Avoid During the Eighth Month of Pregnancy?
When it comes to foods to eat and avoid during your eighth month of pregnancy, what you avoid eating also sometimes favors an optimal outcome of pregnancy. That is because these foods can bring about complications that may adversely affect the pregnancy.
Avoid the following foods during the eighth month of pregnancy
- Junk and fried foods
- Foods that cause heartburn and other gastrointestinal complaints.
- Coffee
- Soft cheeses
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Undercooked eggs
- Raw shellfish
- Fish that contain mercury
- Undercooked eggs
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Drugs
- Tobacco
Combine a healthy diet with light exercises like walking. Calm your racing mind with some meditation daily.
Diet Tips For 8th Month Pregnancy
There are some important factors to take care of when it comes to food during pregnancy. Following are some diet tips for the 8th month of pregnancy.
- Consume only foods that are high in nutritional value.
- Sit straight while eating food
- Increase the intake of fluid
- Drink plenty of water after every snack and meals
- Never drink water with food.
- Eat food rich in omega 3
- Drink a glass of warm milk before bedtime.
- Instead of three large meals, eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
FAQ’s
1. Can I Eat Spicy Food After my 8 Month of Pregnancy?
Yes, you can. As long as you are not suffering from heartburn or indigestion, you can. The body will get very sensitive to foods at this stage, so exercise caution.
2. Can I Drink Coffee or Tea in my 8th Month of Pregnancy?
Yes, you can. In limited quantities of course. Your doctor might suggest you reduce the quantity to reduce caffeine intake.
3. Can I Eat Seafood During my 8th Month of Pregnancy?
It is not recommended. If the seafood is not cooked well, it can be very dangerous for you and the baby. If you are cooking it at home, do check with your doctor and have it in limited quantities.
4. Should I Avoid Hot Foods During my Last Trimester?
You can drink or eat anything hot as long as you don’t burn your tongue and digestive tract. As pregnancy progresses, indigestion will increase. You may crave something warm or hot to drink for some relief from constipation.
Read Also: Foods To Eat And Avoid During Your Ninth Month of Pregnancy
