Foods to Consume and Avoid during 9th Month of Pregnancy

Neha is already in her 9th month of pregnancy and is very happy thinking about her baby. She is little worried also as she wants to know if any kind of changes are needed in her diet chart. She wants to know which all foods are safe for her and which food items she should avoid at this stage of her pregnancy.Below mentioned are the lists of foods that should be consumed and avoided during the 9th month of pregnancy. But it is also essential to consult your obstetrician before including anything in your pregnancy diet. In this articleDiet Consideration during 9th Month of PregnancyFood Items to be Taken during 9th Month of PregnancyFoods to Avoid during 9th Month of pregnancyAlcoholSaccharineCaffeineRaw Sea FoodSoft CheeseTobaccoDiet Consideration during 9th Month of PregnancyDuring 9th month of pregnancy, development of the baby is towards completion. Now weight of the baby will increase rapidly and lungs and brain of the baby will continue to grow. A pregnant woman needs 300 calories more every day. The foods that should be included in the diet chart of a pregnant woman in her 9th month are listed below:Fruits: 2-4 servings every dayDairy products: 3-4 servings every dayVegetables: 4 servings every dayProtein rich food: 3 servings every dayWater: 2 litres of water every dayGrain and whole grain: 6-7 servings every dayFood Items to be Taken during 9th Month of PregnancyCertain food items are must to be included in the diet chart since the first day of pregnancy and must continue till the last day. They are:Fibre rich foods like fruits, vegetables, cereals, and whole grain.Iron rich foods like lentils, soybeans, hard-boiled eggs, chicken, spinach, dried fruits and fish (as per the recommendation of your obstetrician).Calcium rich foods such as milk, dairy products, almonds, and oatmeal.Vitamin rich foods such as tomatoes, broccoli, citrus fruits, strawberries and cauliflower.Folic acid rich foods such as chick peas and lima beans.Vitamin A rich foods such as carrots, spinach and sweet potato.Foods to Avoid during 9th Month of pregnancyAs such no particular food is there that should be specifically avoided only during 9th month of pregnancy but certain food items are there which should be avoided since the beginning of pregnancy. These food items should be strictly kept out of the diet chart of a pregnant woman who is in her 9th month. They are:AlcoholConsumption of alcohol is very dangerous during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption may lead to premature delivery, many types of birth defects and even mental retardation of the baby. It is very important that would-be mothers restrain themselves from consuming alcohol during the entire pregnancy periodSaccharineIt is a common alternative of sugar but pregnant woman must not consume saccharine as it causes bladder problems in the child.CaffeineCaffeine intake should be avoided during pregnancy as it causes sleeplessness and low birth weight. Though about 300 mg of caffeine is safe for consumption for the pregnant woman but if possible caffeine should be kept out of the diet chart of would-be mother in their 9th month of pregnancy completely.Raw Sea FoodRaw Sea Food and fishes with high level of mercury should not be included in the diet chart of a pregnant woman as it increases the chances of infection in the would-be mothers and would affect the baby in the womb.Soft CheeseTo lower the risk of infection in would-be mothers, soft cheese should not be consumed by the would-be mothers. Soft Cheese is not pasteurized and there are always higher chances of infection by consuming them.TobaccoTobacco is a big no since the first day of pregnancy. It is highly dangerous for a pregnant woman to smoke or chew tobacco. The habit of smoking or chewing tobacco should be given up since the beginning of pregnancy period. Tobacco increases the chances of still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, low birth weight and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).Nutrition for the would-be mothers is an important issue to have healthy baby. Foods that are rich in different types of nutrients should be included in the diet chart till the day of child birth as per the advice of the obstetrician.

Below mentioned are the lists of foods that should be consumed and avoided during the 9th month of pregnancy. But it is also essential to consult your obstetrician before including anything in your pregnancy diet.

Diet Consideration during 9th Month of Pregnancy

During 9th month of pregnancy, development of the baby is towards completion. Now weight of the baby will increase rapidly and lungs and brain of the baby will continue to grow. A pregnant woman needs 300 calories more every day. The foods that should be included in the diet chart of a pregnant woman in her 9th month are listed below:

Fruits: 2-4 servings every day
Dairy products: 3-4 servings every day
Vegetables: 4 servings every day
Protein rich food: 3 servings every day
Water: 2 litres of water every day
Grain and whole grain: 6-7 servings every day

Food Items to be Taken during 9th Month of Pregnancy

Certain food items are must to be included in the diet chart since the first day of pregnancy and must continue till the last day. They are:

Fibre rich foods like fruits, vegetables, cereals, and whole grain.
Iron rich foods like lentils, soybeans, hard-boiled eggs, chicken, spinach, dried fruits and fish (as per the recommendation of your obstetrician).
Calcium rich foods such as milk, dairy products, almonds, and oatmeal.
Vitamin rich foods such as tomatoes, broccoli, citrus fruits, strawberries and cauliflower.
Folic acid rich foods such as chick peas and lima beans.
Vitamin A rich foods such as carrots, spinach and sweet potato.

Foods to Avoid during 9th Month of pregnancy

As such no particular food is there that should be specifically avoided only during 9th month of pregnancy but certain food items are there which should be avoided since the beginning of pregnancy. These food items should be strictly kept out of the diet chart of a pregnant woman who is in her 9th month. They are:

Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol is very dangerous during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption may lead to premature delivery, many types of birth defects and even mental retardation of the baby. It is very important that would-be mothers restrain themselves from consuming alcohol during the entire pregnancy period

Saccharine

It is a common alternative of sugar but pregnant woman must not consume saccharine as it causes bladder problems in the child.

Caffeine

Caffeine intake should be avoided during pregnancy as it causes sleeplessness and low birth weight. Though about 300 mg of caffeine is safe for consumption for the pregnant woman but if possible caffeine should be kept out of the diet chart of would-be mother in their 9th month of pregnancy completely.

Raw Sea Food

Raw Sea Food and fishes with high level of mercury should not be included in the diet chart of a pregnant woman as it increases the chances of infection in the would-be mothers and would affect the baby in the womb.

Soft Cheese

To lower the risk of infection in would-be mothers, soft cheese should not be consumed by the would-be mothers. Soft Cheese is not pasteurized and there are always higher chances of infection by consuming them.

Tobacco

Tobacco is a big no since the first day of pregnancy. It is highly dangerous for a pregnant woman to smoke or chew tobacco. The habit of smoking or chewing tobacco should be given up since the beginning of pregnancy period. Tobacco increases the chances of still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, low birth weight and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Nutrition for the would-be mothers is an important issue to have healthy baby. Foods that are rich in different types of nutrients should be included in the diet chart till the day of child birth as per the advice of the obstetrician.