Entering the third trimester, the condition of pregnant women not only affects the health of the baby, but also the smooth delivery later. Therefore, there are several things that pregnant women need to do when they are 8 months pregnant or sohas entered the third trimester.
During pregnancy, pregnant women need to avoid many things, such as consuming alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, consuming raw or undercooked food, and smoking.
However, apart from the prohibition, there are several things that pregnant women need to do so that the health conditions of pregnant women and their babies in the womb are maintained.
Things To Do in Third Trimester
The following are some things that pregnant women should do when they are 8 months pregnant:
1. Increase weight
In the third trimester of pregnancy, doctors usually recommend pregnant women to gain weight, which is about 0.5 kilograms per week. This is important to maintain the health of pregnant women and fetuses.
To support weight gain during pregnancy, pregnant women need to get at least 300 extra calories every day. Eggs, milk, whole grains, and fruits can be food choices to meet these calorie needs.
2. Drink enough water
During this period of pregnancy, pregnant women should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, plus 1 glass after every light activity. Lack of drinking water can cause dehydration which can cause various health problems, both for pregnant women and children.
To find out whether pregnant women have drunk enough water or not, try to pay attention to the color of urine when pregnant women urinate. If the color of the urine is yellowish or even dark, it could be a sign that pregnant women are not drinking enough water.
3. Eat a balanced nutritious diet
Pregnant women need to eat good food during pregnancy to get the intake of calories and nutrients needed by the body. Some of the nutrients that are important to fulfill during pregnancy are protein, iron, folic acid, calcium, and vitamins.
Intake of these nutrients can be obtained from several types of food, such as fruits, vegetables, fish, yogurt, and cheese. If necessary, pregnant women can take pregnancy supplements to meet these nutritional needs.
4. Exercise regularly
As long as there is no high risk of giving birth prematurely, pregnant women can still exercise in the third trimester of pregnancy. Regular exercise will provide many benefits for pregnant women, including overcoming back pain, vaginal pain, relieving constipation and flatulence, increasing muscle strength and endurance, and making sleep better.
Pregnant women can choose a leisurely walk, swimming, or yoga as a sport during pregnancy, in this eighth month. However, avoid overdoing it and always follow the doctor's advice.
5. Get enough rest
With frequent urges to urinate and difficulty finding a comfortable position when lying down, sleeping can be a challenge for pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Not to mention if pregnant women experience sleep disturbances due to stress, leg cramps, or back pain.
Adequate rest is very much needed during this pregnancy, because lack of rest will increase the risk of pregnant women experiencing various complications, including preeclampsia and impaired growth of the baby.
To get quality sleep, here are some tips that pregnant women can apply:
- Use a special pillow for pregnant women.
- Limit consumption of soft drinks and caffeine.
- If pregnant women often experience leg cramps while sleeping, try to straighten your legs and put your feet in a higher position while sleeping. In addition, leg cramps can also be overcome by foot massage and using stockings especially pregnant women.
- Sleep on your left side as much as possible and avoid sleeping on your back for long periods of time. Sleeping on your left side will improve blood flow to the fetus, uterus, and kidneys, so pregnant women can sleep more comfortably.
To avoid fatigue during activities during the day, try to take short breaks of 5-10 minutes every hour. Simply sitting, straightening your legs, or walking around the house or office can lower your risk of developing these problems.
Apart from doing some of the things above, pregnant women also need to regularly check with the obstetrician. Not only checking the health condition of pregnant women and their little ones thoroughly, doctors will also give advice on choosing the best delivery method.