Your Pregnancy Diet Plan: The Third Trimester

During the last three months, your pregnancy diet plan will not change a great deal. Chances are you have already eliminated or significantly reduced the amount of caffeine and other problem foods from your diet. You've already been taking your Omega-3 fatty acids and have taken a prenatal vitamin. So what could you possibly change at this phase of your diet? Are there any special foods to eat while pregnant that are particularly important at this point? The key issue you must confront during these last three months is motivation. As labor draws near, your size increases, your energy lowers, and it's difficult to find the motivation to maintain your healthy lifestyle. So what special health needs should you focus on while waiting for the birth of your child? Keep Exercising as Part of Your Pregnancy Diet Plan More than any other action you can take, exercise will help keep you in shape for labor and the rigors of infant care. As your size increases and your baby shifts into place for labor, you may find it more difficult to move freely. So seek out exercise that doesn't put pressure on your body and increases your joy of movement. Swimming or water aerobics are both fantastic ways to get the exercise you need without placing stress on your body. Walking is always a great way to get exercise without stressing your body too much. Exercise is an essential supplement to your pregnancy diet plan, so find something low-stress that's easy to stick with. Rest as Often as You Need During this last part of your pregnancy, you may find that getting adequate rest is difficult. Your baby may be kicking and your baby bump may make it difficult to find a comfortable resting position. If this is the case, invest in a body pillow, which wraps around your body and cradles your baby bump, giving you the support you need to make sleep more comfortable. If sleep eludes you, simply try rest and meditation. The more you try to force yourself to sleep, the more difficult you will find it to actually relax enough that you can fall asleep. Rest and meditation are viable ways to recharge your batteries without sleep, as well. Hang Out with Friends Now's the time to enjoy a girls' night out, lunch with the ladies, or a pedicure party. Indulge in time with friends and family as often as you wish. This is a great way to reduce stress prior to having your baby. It keeps you grounded and can help alleviate any anxiety you may be feeling, as a supportive network of friends can answer questions and conce s you may have about childbirth, especially if this is your first pregnancy. In addition, you may find it too difficult to arrange time away from home in the months immediately following your baby's birth, so enjoy this time to socialize with your friends. Health Issues: Indigestion Although most health issues resolve themselves by the third trimester, a new one may kick in with a vengeance: indigestion. This is caused by hormonal changes in the body that causes the uterus to relax; however, the digestive muscles also relax as well as the muscles that close the valve between the esophagus and the stomach. As your baby snuggles deeper into your abdominal cavity, her weight will cause the stomach acids to back up your esophagus through this relaxed valve. The only thing that will change this situation is the birth of your baby, so all you can do is find ways to work with the problem. Eating papaya can help neutralize stomach acid. Sleeping sitting up is another great solution. You should avoid all spicy, acidic, or vinegar-based foods from your pregnancy diet plan. These foods can all aggravate acid indigestion. If you are still having issues with indigestion, consult with your OB/GYN, as she may be able to prescribe a medication that can help your heartbu without harming your baby.