Entering the 9th month of pregnancy builds a lot of excitement and nervousness as you will have your tiny bundle of joy in your hands anytime soon. Eating the right food is crucial as the baby gains maximum fat and body mass during this period with his brain and lungs developing. 9th month pregnancy diet precisely includes food that will aid in proper weight gain for the baby.

Importance of Diets and Foods for the 9th Month of Pregnancy:

In the Ninth month of pregnancy, the body structure of a baby is almost developed. The baby gains most of its weight during this period. Just entering this month you can feel more weight, which can affect your digestive process. That’s why you need to back up your body’s nutrients with a proper diet. In this article, we will discuss the right foods that you need to intake for the maximum benefit and what an Indian diet during 9th month pregnancy looks like.

9-Month Pregnant Diet Chart:

Here we have tried to summarize what foods to eat and what to avoid from the nutrition point of view along with examples of the foods that provide the said nutrients. Have a look here:

Foods To Eat for 9th Month Pregnancy Diet:

 Fibre-Rich Foods:

Fibre is essential throughout the pregnancy and especially during the 9ht month when the problem of constipation is severe. You should include this component in the 9th Month of the Pregnancy Diet by consuming fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes and grains etc. Also, more common sources are avocados, broccoli, white beans, black beans, cauliflowers, green leaves, corn etc. Balance the consumption of fibre by drinking lots of water which will ensure proper maintenance of the water level in the intestines.

Iron-Rich Foods:

Iron is a mineral that prevents anaemia during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be the reason for unusual blood escape or haemorrhage of blood vessels. It can lead to a shortage of haemoglobin in your body. To reduce the effect, you need to Diet in 9th Month of Pregnancy, including 25 to 27 mg consumption of iron per day. Some fresh and natural sources are lentils, eggs, berries, raisins, spinach, dry foods, soybeans chicken, fish etc.

See More: Diet During 8Th Month Of Pregnancy

Folic Acid Rich Foods:

Folic acid helps to resist congenital disabilities in a baby such as Spina Bifida. It also helps to construct red blood cells and DNA structures. Needless to say that it is one of the vital components that the body requires at the time of 9 Month Pregnancy Diet Plan which can be sufficed by consuming 600 to 800 mg per day. Some very common sources of folic acid within your reach are chickpeas, legumes, green leaves, papaya, cereal, oats, asparagus, lentils, oranges etc.

Calcium-Rich Foods:

Calcium is required in large quantities at this stage. You need to give a strong bone structure to your baby as well as you need to make yourself fit for an upcoming delivery. It is more important than anything to include calcium components in Diet during the 9th Month of Pregnancy to give birth to a healthy baby. You can avail calcium in various foods like bananas, green leaves, fish, lean meats, nuts, eggs, dairy products, sesame, almonds, oats etc.

DHA Enriched Foods:

It is the type of fatty acid that is essential for brain development. You should consume 200 mg of DHA per day from various foods to provide your inside baby with the basic ingredients to develop the frontal loop of the brain. This element can be available through fruit juices, eggs, milk, peanut butter etc.

Vitamin A Rich Foods:

Vitamin A helps to develop blood cells, eyes, skin, immunity, and the power of resisting infection inside the baby’s body. The foods enriched by vitamin A are such as sweet potatoes, spinach, cantaloupe, carrots etc. You need to consume this vitamin also by daily intake.

Vitamin C Enriched Foods:

It is one of the essential components during this trimester stage. It helps to accelerate the burn of iron in the blood. You should take 80 mg of Vitamin C per day from natural foods. It is available through different citrus foods, broccoli, tomatoes, oranges, cauliflowers etc.

Protein-Enriched Foods:

Including protein in the right quantity in the body is very important during this final month of pregnancy. It is the vital component which gives the baby and you the source of strength. In this stage, you need to consume 50 to 55 grams of protein by a day. The common sources are egg whites, tofu, milk, yoghurt, fish, chicken etc.

Vitamin B12 Enriched Foods:

You can absorb the Vitamin B12 component from the various source of nature such as chicken, fish, dairy products, milk etc. As well as yo8u can take a supplement for this vitamin.

Carbohydrate-Enriched Foods:

Some common and available sources of carbohydrates are berries, vegetables, whole-grain bread, legumes, pasta, sweet potatoes, beans watermelons etc. Consume complex carbohydrates instead of simple ones daily in quantity as per the doctor’s recommendation.

See More: 7Th Month Of Pregnancy Diet Chart

Foods Not To Eat For 9th Month Pregnancy Diet:

Soft Cheese:

Avoid ripened cheese like brie, blue veins etc. It may contain listeria amount, which is an unexpected component for delivery. It may create difficulties during pregnancy. If you are fond of cheese, then go for hard cheese.

Coffee:

The caffeinated content may increase the symptoms of constipation during the last stage of pregnancy. If you are habituated to coffee, then you need to get rid of this habit. To make it easier, you can consume a huge amount of water or fruit juices.

Alcohol and Tobacco:

Alcohol and tobacco may create several complications during the time of pregnancy. Also, it has adverse effects like unusual bleeding and may cause miscarriage at this final stage. That’s why you should avoid all this addiction by hook or crook.

Unpasteurized Milk:

Milk without pasteurization can prove to be extremely dangerous for a pregnant lady, especially in the final stage. Raw milk should be strictly avoided along with goat milk because it is very risky at the time of pregnancy. It can create toxoplasmosis during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Pate:

It contains listeria and may damage by creating listeriosis in the uterus bed. It is a must-avoid in pregnancy to avoid any serious complications. Otherwise, the consumption of this content may damage the baby’s life inside the uterus. It can be the reason for miscarriage birth and leads to a sick baby being born. You should avoid pates in terms of a healthy delivery.

Indian Diet During 9th-Month Pregnancy:

The following is a typical example of a 9th-month pregnancy diet in India. You can bring variations in it as you know what to eat and what to avoid. The diet plan here is based on the 3000Kcal required by a normal Indian 9 month pregnant woman:

Breakfast:

  • Milk or paneer.
  • Anyone of the following.
  • Vegetable Daliya.
  • A Vegetable Upma.
  • Vegetable poha.
  • Wheat flakes.

Mid-morning snack:

  • A bowl of fresh fruits.

Lunch:

  • One plate salad.
  • One bowl dal.
  • One bowl of vegetables of your choice.
  • 3 Rotis.
  • Raita/curd/buttermilk.

Evening snack:

  • One glass of A2 cow milk.
    Anyone of the following:
  • Bhunna channa.
  • One besan chilla.
  • One boiled egg.
  • A bowl of fresh fruits.
  • One bowl sprouts.

Dinner:

  • One plate of fresh salad.
  • One bowl of vegetables.
  • One bowl of dal or curd.
  • 3 chappati.

Bedtime:

  • Dessert or.
  • Milk.

See More: 6Th Month Of Pregnancy Diet Chart

Supplements That Are to be Taken and Not to Be Taken During 9th-Month Pregnancy:

The two supplements that every pregnant lady needs to take throughout the pregnancy are the iron supplement and the folic acid supplement. An iron supplement is required so that you have a sufficient amount of blood produced and you do not go anaemic while the folic acid supplement is vital to prevent any congenital disabilities in the newborn. Apart from these, whether any supplement is required to be taken or not during the 9th-month pregnancy will depend on case to case basis. Your doctor on the examination will decide what types of supplements will be required to be taken by you.

Weight Gain During 9th Month Pregnancy Diet:

A pregnant woman in her 9th month of pregnancy gains the maximum weight as the baby gains the maximum weight during this period. The baby is fully developed by now and puts on maximum fat and mass in this period. Hence it is required to consume proper food to increase baby weight in the 9th month.

Additional Tips for 9th Month Pregnancy Diet:

  • Make sure your diet has all the required nutrients, and if the diet cannot fulfil the requirements then you must take additional supplements such as:
  • Iron supplement.
  • Calcium supplement.
  • Multivitamin supplement.
  • Folic acid supplement.
  • Cut back on foods such as candies, cheese, fried foods, and desserts that are high in calories and low in nutrition as they will unnecessarily add to your pregnancy weight.
  • Eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains instead of these unhealthy food options.
  • Split the meals into 6-7 smaller portions rather than 3 big meals.
  • Drink a lot of water.
  • Do 15-20 minutes of exercise to keep a check on swelling, constipation, heartburn etc.
    Avoid taking the stress.

A proper diet throughout the whole pregnancy period will help you to get a healthy baby. In the ninth month of pregnancy diet, you should keep more attention to a nutritious diet. You need to take nutrients and essential components in the proper ratio. Apart from doing your dieting, you also need to keep yourself hygienic and stay fit for the very close due delivery date.

Q1. Is walking well during the 9th month of pregnancy?

Ans: Walking is an important exercise during pregnancy, and one must follow it throughout the pregnancy. It has some amazing benefits. Going for a walk and following the 9th-month pregnancy diet can aid in the normal delivery of the baby.

Q2. How can I increase my weight during the 9th month of pregnancy?

Ans: During the 9th month of pregnancy, the baby gains the maximum body weight and hence, the pregnancy weight increases a lot during this 9th month. Following the 9th-month pregnancy diet and eating only healthy and nutritious food can assure the proper growth of the baby without putting on those extra kilograms in the pregnancy weight. Gaining a lot of body weight during pregnancy may render difficulty in delivering the baby normally.

Q3. What are the symptoms of delivery in the ninth month?

Ans: The following are the common signs that labour is approaching:

  • The frequent urge to urinate.
  • Dilation of the cervix.
  • Back pain.
  • Contractions.
  • Mucus plug passes.
  • Water bag bursts.
  • Thinning of the cervix.

Yashasvi

About Yashasvi

Yashasvi developed a deep passion for writing ever since she was completed her Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam and has chosen a career that is driven by creativity. A Parenting expert who believes in communicating effectively with a personal touch, she writes about pregnancy, baby care, lifestyle, and just about anything else.
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