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During the third trimester there is significant increase in demand for nutrients as the baby continues to grow.

1.Optimum balance of vitamins and minerals is essential for the growth of your baby's skeleton, collagen (a protein that binds cells together) and connective tissues. There is evidence from experimental animal studies that requirement of vitamin C increases significantly during the third trimester.

2.According to doctors, vitamin C is involved in the synthesis and degradation of collagen and is important for the maintenance of the chorio-amniotic membranes. Inadequate availability of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) during the third trimester may increase the risk of premature rupturing of chorio-amniotic membranes (PROM), which is main cause of preterm delivery. This in turn is associated with neonatal and maternal mortality.

3.During the nine months of pregnancy, folic acid and iron requirements increase by 50 percent. Along with prenatal vitamins it is important to include foods rich in vitamin C in your diet. Fruits like mangos, tomatoes, lemon, and citrus fruits, and green leafy vegetables are an excellent source of vitamin C.

4.Vitamin C helps in absorption of iron. Apart from this, vitamin C also helps in baby's growth and development. Like vitamin D, your body can not synthesize vitamin C on its own. Hence, you will need fresh supply of vitamin C each day to help boost your baby's growth and development.

5.It is recommended that all pregnant women in their third trimester consume 70 mg of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) daily. Certain health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure may cause depletion of vitamin C. Hence, it is very important to check blood pressure and sugar levels during the third trimester.

 Calcium :Dairy foods, dark leafy greens, calcium-fortified soy milk, calcium-fortified juices and cereals.

Folate: Dried beans, peas, lentils, orange juice, oranges, dark leafy greens, soy nuts, avocados, broccoli, asparagus

Iron: Liver, meat, seafood, prune juice, dry beans, wheat germ, oatmeal, tofu, soy nuts, grains

Protein: Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy foods, beans and legumes, nuts

Vitamin C: Citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, dark leafy greens, broccoli, Brussel sprouts

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, leafy-green vegetables.

Some pregnant women need to take a 30-milligram iron supplement during their second and third trimesters to help prevent anemia.

I feel some milk secretion but im 7 th month of pregnancy now,is it normal to secrete milk from the breast prior to delivery?

 It is not normal.please check with your doctor .if the baby is alive and healthy then don’t worry .

Ther may be watery secretion which is normal

I m 11^th week of pregnancy, I am healthy. Do I still need to take iron and calcium tablets? It will create any side effects.

 Most of the Indians are anemic and the diet is not sufficient in iron and calcium.hence  we advise routinely iron and calcium supplementation.they can cause some discomfort in the stomach for few people.most of the time it is well tolerated