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Body Shop: How you’ll change

The constipation, heartburn and bloating you may have experienced all along could continue this month.

If you’re like many women, you may feel weary, bored and ready for all this to be over. You may also start worrying about labor and delivery, your baby’s health and whether you’ll be a good mother. Relax, it’s all part of the process and these feelings will subside as you get closer to your due date.1

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Mommy-Do List: Things to do this month

  • Dehydration can actually cause contractions in the third trimester, so be sure you’re getting enough water. Eight eight-ounce glasses per day is ideal for most women.2
  • It’s time to start childbirth preparation classes, preferably with your partner. In these sessions, you’ll learn more about what to expect during labor and birth.10
  • Tour the labor and delivery areas of the hospital.

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Nutrition Watch: Eating right for two

When it comes to describing food, "fast" and "healthy" don’t usually go together. Most convenience foods and colas taste good, but they’re full of preservatives and other stuff you should avoid while you’re pregnant. There are, however, fast foods that are actually good for you. Try some of these as light meals or snacks:

  • Single serve fruit bowls packed in their own juice rather than in sugary syrup make tasty desserts.
  • Soy milk in eight-ounce servings of plain, chocolate and vanilla supply one-third of your daily calcium and vitamin D needs.
  • One-ounce boxes of raisins provide two grams of fiber, four percent of the daily recommended amount of iron, and one gram of protein.
  • Yogurt can provide you with 25 percent of your daily calcium requirement plus protein, fiber and other vitamins and minerals.
  • Trail mix made with a handful of shredded wheat-type cereal, a handful of dried cherries and almonds makes an easy, nutritious snack.
  • Salad bars in restaurants and grocery stores can offer practically a whole day’s worth of fruits and vegetables.
  • Baby carrots, available in single serving bags, are full of vitamin A and fiber.
  • String cheese like low-fat mozzarella sticks are full of calcium and contain some protein.
  • A four-ounce serving of boxed, calcium-fortified orange juice provides half the daily requirement of vitamin C and about 15 percent of calcium.
  • Single-serve boxes of whole grain cereal or packages of instant oatmeal are often fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
  • Single-serve cottage cheese bowls are good sources of protein and calcium.7

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1 “Pregnancy, Month by Month” University of Michigan Health System Web site at www.med.umich.edu

2 “Ask the Experts: How Much Water Should I Drink While I’m Pregnant?” www.babycenter.com

7 “11 ’Fast’ Foods a Pregnant Woman Could Love (and Five to Avoid)” www.babycenter.com

10 “Month by Month Pregnancy Guide” Sutter Health System Web site at www.babies.sutterhealth.org

The information on this Web site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding you or your child's health.

Consult your physician or dental professional if using another fluoridated product.

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Weigh In

You usually know instinctively if your baby is healthy, but comparing her growth to "normal" guidelines is a good way to help put your mind at ease. Many babies grow a half inch to an inch per month between birth and six months. In that same period, babies can gain five to seven ounces per week. Between six months and a year, she'll probably grow about three-eighths inch per month and gain three to five ounces per week. It's normal for her to double her birth height and triple her birth weight by her first birthday.

Source: "Infant and Toddler Health," www.mayoclinic.com, August 21, 2009

Shoe Knew?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies don't actually need to wear shoes until they start learning to walk. Going shoeless indoors allows your infant's feet to grow normally, helps them develop strength and lets her experiment with grasping with her toes. If you want to keep her feet warm or protect them from the elements, opt for soft-soled slippers, booties or nonskid socks.