What should pregnant mothers pay attention to in the late pregnancy

In the late pregnancy (generally 28 to 40 weeks of pregnancy), the mother's belly will be swollen, tight and hard, and the lower abdomen will feel like falling. These are all signs of pre-delivery. This stage is not only a critical period for the baby's gradual growth and development, but also a stage where the mother needs special attention and care. Understanding the matters that need to be paid attention to in the late pregnancy will help the mother to safely and smoothly pass this period, stay healthy, and happily welcome the arrival of a new life. So what should the mother pay attention to in the late pregnancy?

Diet during late pregnancy:

As the fetus moves down the pelvic cavity toward the end of pregnancy, the mother's gastrointestinal pressure is reduced, and her appetite usually increases again. In the late pregnancy, pregnant women should increase their protein intake, and it is recommended to eat more animal protein and soy foods. In addition, pregnant women also need to take in essential fatty acids in moderation, and they can consider eating animal liver in moderation to supplement iron. This helps meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women and fetuses for growth and development.

Here are some diet suggestions for late pregnancy:

breakfast:

A bowl of oatmeal or whole-wheat cereal with fresh fruit and nuts

A glass of milk or soy milk

A boiled egg or whole-wheat toast

Lunch:

Carbohydrates: such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, potatoes, etc.

Protein: fish, chicken, tofu, etc.

Vegetables: dark vegetables such as spinach, carrots, etc.

afternoon tea:

A cup of yogurt or fruit salad

A handful of nuts or whole-wheat crackers

dinner:

High-protein foods: such as beans, chicken, fish, etc.

Lots of vegetables and fruits: Ensure adequate intake of vitamins and minerals

A bowl of whole grain staple food, such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, etc.

Night snack:

You can eat some low-sugar fruits or sugar-free yogurt

Avoid greasy and high-calorie foods

It should be noted that excessive sugar and salt can easily cause pregnant women to gain weight too quickly and suffer from edema, increasing the risk of complications such as pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Physical examination and health care:

In the later stages of pregnancy, the frequency of prenatal checkups will increase. Starting from the 28th week, the number of prenatal checkups will increase from once a month to once every two weeks. After the 36th week, you need to go to the hospital for prenatal checkups every week. This stage is crucial. You need to closely monitor the baby's development, fetal heart rate monitoring, amniotic fluid indicators and other important indicators to ensure the baby's growth and the mother's health.

In the late pregnancy, pregnant mothers consume a lot of physical energy. They should ensure adequate rest and good sleep, avoid overwork, and pay attention to diet and nutrition. They should also avoid overeating, stay away from tobacco and alcohol, avoid contact with cleaning products and cosmetics containing harmful chemicals, and try not to contact patients, cats, dogs and other livestock. In addition, pregnant mothers are susceptible to seasonal diseases such as colds and flu, so they need to avoid crowded places and wash their hands frequently to prevent flu.

Get enough sleep:

The correct sleeping position helps protect the fetus and relieve the discomfort of pregnant women. Sleeping on the side is the most recommended sleeping position in the late pregnancy, especially sleeping on the left side. Sleeping on the left side helps promote blood circulation in the fetus, reduce the pressure of the uterus on large blood vessels, and improve the oxygen supply of the mother and fetus. At the same time, sleeping on the left side can also reduce the pressure on the back and waist of pregnant women and reduce the occurrence of leg edema. When sleeping on the side, you can use a pillow to support the abdomen and legs to reduce muscle tension. You can try to use a pregnancy pillow or put the pillow between your legs to maintain a comfortable sleeping position. In the late pregnancy, try to avoid sleeping on your back, especially sleeping for a long time on your back. Lying on your back will increase the pressure of the uterus on large blood vessels, affect the normal blood supply to the fetus, and easily lead to problems such as high blood pressure and back pain during pregnancy.

Prepare your delivery bag:

Pregnant mothers can start preparing their delivery bag in the second trimester, so that they can slowly select and prepare, and will not be in a hurry when encountering emergencies, including mother's supplies, baby's supplies and important items needed for hospitalization. The following list is for pregnant mothers' reference:

Important documents: Organize important documents such as hospital appointment forms, ID cards, medical insurance cards, etc. into the delivery bag in case of emergency.

Supplies for pregnant women: prepare toiletries, spare clothes, towels, etc.

Delivery supplies: Prepare things that may be needed during delivery, such as maternity pads, non-slip shoes, towels, etc.

Baby supplies: such as newborn diapers, clothes, blankets, bottles, etc.

Pregnancy and childbirth books: You can prepare some pregnancy and childbirth books or materials for reading and studying.

Emotional management and mental health:

It is common for pregnant women to have mood swings in the late pregnancy because they always hear about how painful childbirth is and worry about problems. In fact, this varies from person to person, and mothers do not need to be too nervous. Every mother is taking on a great mission. Facing the birth process bravely and firmly will usher in the most precious moment in life. Proper exercise can release the tension in the body and promote blood circulation. You can choose gentle exercises suitable for pregnant women, such as prenatal yoga or walking, to relax yourself. You can also learn more about the birth process and postpartum care to increase your understanding and confidence in the birth process.

After reading this article, I believe pregnant mothers have a better understanding of the matters that need to be paid attention to in the late pregnancy. I hope that pregnant mothers can take good care of themselves in the late pregnancy, care about the growth of the fetus, spend a healthy and happy pregnancy, and welcome the arrival of a new life! (Fu Zhenli, Lingshou County People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province)