Ninth Month Of Pregnancy: Baby's Growth To Diet And Exercise Routine, A Guide For Expecting Women

Congratulations! It’s the last month of pregnancy, and soon your little munchkin will be in your arms. Your belly might be grown to its full size, and you might be experiencing a little discomfort. We spoke to Dr Meghana D Sarvaiya, consultant obstetrics and gynaecology, Cloudnine Group of hospitals, Mumbai, to bring you all the details about your baby’s growth, diet routine, and exercise plans. We will also tell you about a few last-minute tests required to ensure your and your baby’s well-being.

The doctor said, “Everybody is excited and nervous at the last stage of pregnancy. Why not? Their due date is nearing.”

Ninth Month Of Pregnancy: What To Expect

The third trimester is a home stretch when expecting women to get ready to give birth. The foetus grows at a rapid rate at this stage. “The body systems have matured by now,” the doctor added.

Women feel the discomfort and continue to gain weight in the last month. Here are a few other things that you should expect in the last month of pregnancy:

• You will experience false labour contractions, also called Braxton Hicks contractions.
• You will have swollen ankles.
• Expecting women find it difficult to sleep.
• You will witness an increased frequency of using the restroom.
• Many pregnant women also experience back aches.

Ninth Month Of Pregnancy: Baby’s Growth

In the last stage, the baby descends towards the pelvis, hence, expecting also experience a little pressure on their vagina and light pressure on their abdomen. This is called lightning.

In the last month of pregnancy, women need to monitor the movements of the baby. The doctor suggested recording at least 12 movements in 24 hours. You should be a little cautious post meal when these movements increase because the baby becomes active.

Ninth Month Of Pregnancy: Diet Of Expecting Women

The doctor shared a healthy diet for the ninth of pregnancy so that expecting women can stay healthy and keep their babies fit too. Here is what you should eat:

• Fruits and vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins, and protein.
• Diary products to fulfil the requirement of calcium (Calcium-Rich Diet For Lactose Intolerant People) and other minerals.
• Stay hydrated so that you can avoid constipation.
• Women should consume a well-balanced diet to stay energetic and avoid heartburn.
• Food items like pineapple, papaya, saffron, and dates are known as labour-inducing agents, therefore, you should add them in moderation to your diet.

There are a few things you must avoid in the last month of pregnancy,

• Processed food
• Raw food items
• Tobacco
• Caffeine (Why To Avoid Drinking Black Coffee)

Ninth Month Of Pregnancy: Exercise Routine

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The expert also shared an exercise routine for the last month of pregnancy to ensure expecting women stay active. The routine includes:

• Walking for 30-45 minutes every day
• Kegel exercises and squats
• Yoga
• Lamaze exercises that help to relax pelvic floor muscles

Ninth Month Of Pregnancy: Tests For Expecting Women

In the ninth month of pregnancy, a woman has to go for regular scans. After 35 or 36 weeks of pregnancy, one needs to visit the doctor to ensure that the baby is getting enough blood supply. Other tests include:

• A complete blood test for haemoglobin, CBC, and platelet counts
• Post 37 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor will conduct a weekly heartbeat test to ensure that the baby is fine inside the womb
• Doctors check the cervix to check the progress of labour.

The doctors added that if you experience uterine contractions at small regular intervals, water leakage, or vaginal bleeding, you must immediately rush to the doctor. It might be time for your baby to be born.

Enjoy this last month. You have had a ‘bumpy’ ride, and it is time to prepare yourself for the next phase of motherhood.