Sixth Month Of Pregnancy: Diet And Exercise Guide For Expecting Women

Are you noticing your baby bump increasing in size? Do you witness your skin changing or a significant increase in weight? Congratulations on entering into the most exciting phase of pregnancy, which is the sixth month.

The last month of the second trimester extends from 21 to 24 weeks. Dr Madhu Juneja, Senior Consultant OBGYN and Gynaecology, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Pune, said that hormones work towards adding a natural glow of pregnancy to a mother’s face. She also added that many women witness darkening of skin, acne, and pigmentation, but they should not worry about it because it is normal.

We bring you an expert-backed diet and exercise routine to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy.

Sixth Month Of Pregnancy: What To Eat

According to Dr Juneja, you need to have a balanced diet. Your focus should be on consuming more protein and revising your intake of iron, calcium, and other multivitamins. Since the baby’s growth is rapid at this stage, hence, you need to be quite careful about the nourishment value of the diet.

You should never underestimate the power of hydration, but the expert suggested avoiding undercooked meat, unpasteurised cheese, or raw fish in your meals. These dishes might have bacteria growing that can harm your health.

You must give up alcohol and caffeine completely. If you are drinking coffee, the amount should not exceed more than three cups.

Sixth Month Of Pregnancy: Safe Exercises For Expecting Women

If your doctor suggests exercises without worrying about complications, you should definitely try and stay active during your pregnancy. Dr Juneja said, “Exercise is crucial not just for the overall health but also for managing the symptoms which you might be experiencing during pregnancy.”

A few exercises that are considered safe for expecting women include,

• Prenatal yoga
• Swimming
• Walking
• Light strengthening exercises

The expert suggested avoiding sudden jerky movements or heavy exercises that include laying on your back. It can affect your balance.

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Sixth Month Of Pregnancy: Baby’s Size, Weight, And Development

Sharing about the size of the foetus growing inside the woman’s womb, the baby is the size of a corn cob. At this stage, the features are quite defined. You can even click a picture during a 3D ultrasound.

In the last month of the second trimester (Diet Tips For Three Trimesters Of Pregnancy), expecting women start experiencing the movement of the baby. You can even ask your partner to witness the movements in your tummy.

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Sixth Month Of Pregnancy: Blood Tests And Ultrasound

At this stage, expectant women are prescribed a blood glucose test to ensure everything is okay. The experts try to rule out stationary diabetes.

An ultrasound in the sixth month of pregnancy confirms the development of the baby. The doctor will ensure that the baby is receiving the optimum amount of blood.

The doctor suggested taking a couple of hours of rest post lunch and sleeping for 8 hours in the night to stay in the prime of your health.

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