|
|
|
|
|
|
I am 8 Months Pregnant
Your 8th month of pregnancy
Helpful information from Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
Pregnancy is definitely not a time to diet! Your growing baby needs healthy nutrients to properly grow. A weight gain of 25-35 pounds is recommended for pregnancy.
Here's how that weight is accounted for:
Your baby - 8 lbs:
Maternal Stores (fat, protein, calcium and other nutrients) - 9 lbs
Blood - 3 lbs
Fluid 6 - lbs
Amniotic Fluid - 2 lbs
Breasts - 1 lb
Placenta - 2 lbs
Uterus - 2 lbs
TOTAL 33 lbs
Dairy Products: important for mom’s muscles so that her heart, nerves and blood stay healthy. Calcium protects mom’s teeth and helps in the development of baby’s bones and teeth.
Breads and Cereals provide vitamins and minerals for mom’s health and for the growth of the baby. Whole grains such as those found in 100% whole wheat bread also provide fiber to help prevent constipation for mom during pregnancy.
Vegetables: provide vitamins for the development of baby’s eyes, intestinal tract and the formation of genetic information in every cell. Folic Acid is important to prevent neural tube defects.
Fruits: Add important vitamins and fiber to your diet. You should have at least one serving of citrus fruits each day to provide protection from infection and help form blood vessels.
Protein: this is needed for the development of red blood cells, nerves, muscles, and brain cells in the baby. Protein also repairs cells in mom’s body.
If you have been eating right and taking prescribed multi-vitamins throughout your pregnancy---that is great! If you haven’t, it’s not too late to begin.
As a Family Changes
These last 2 months of pregnancy are filled with anticipation. But, this time
can also be stressful. You may be worried or have concerns about mom’s or baby’s
health; perhaps other children are having trouble adjusting to the arrival of
a new sibling; or you are concerned about finances, work or family relations.
Whatever the issues, now is the time to work through some of the stressors and
grow closer as a family!
Controlling stress
If you allow stress to become too great, it can lead to illness or even cause
pre-term labor. Here are some suggestions to help reduce stress:
- Remove any contributing factors that are causing stress in your home and/or your relationship. If it’s an activity, a commitment or even extra clutter in your home, try to remove it, at least for now.
- Find something that brings comfort to each family member, and encourage them to refer to that often;
- Work on managing your stress: eat a balanced diet, go for a walk/exercise each day, stay away from caffeine and drugs, get plenty of rest, try to keep some type of schedule, take three deep breaths, and find a quiet corner to sit and be alone for awhile.
- Keep the stress in perspective. How does it stack up with what is really important in your family’s life?
- Finally, identify ways in which each member of your family can be a resource/support. How can you help each other get through the changes your family is experiencing? Rather than hold the stress or worry in—grow stronger and closer as a family.
- Try to add some humor to each day, and enjoy this special time.
“So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,
believe that you have received it,
and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24
More helpful information