Water is essential for life and also for the new life inside you. Dehydration can be problematic at any time, but it’s especially concerning during pregnancy. Maintaining proper fluid balance during pregnancy can be a challenge. The fetus places intense demands on the body and women who are pregnant need to consume extra nutrients and fluids. Not only do you need more water than usual when you’re pregnant, but your baby needs water too. It plays a critical part in healthy fetal development. That means staying properly hydrated is a must.
The following content can help you to overcome dehydration:
Keeping hydrated is important in pregnancy
Upholding adequate fluid balance during pregnancy can be a challenge. The body’s raised water requirements during pregnancy add to the challenge of maintaining fluid balance. For instance, a majority of the maternal weight is water. Generally, there are about 5-6 liters of water in the body. During pregnancy, this can increase to as much as 9 liters. Expecting mothers also generate higher blood volume to help send nutrients to the developing baby. If you are being sick or sweating a lot, caused by the hormonal and physical changes of pregnancy, this is where your body loses more fluid than it is taking in and you can become dehydrated quickly. Drinking enough can help you feel well during pregnancy.
Symptoms of pregnancy dehydration
When you become dehydrated, your body starts indicating certain signs. Significantly, you’re able to identify them.
- Dizziness and fainting
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness
- Feeling thirsty
- Low blood pressure
- Maternal overheating — an increased risk of increased body temperature while pregnant
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Constipation
- Headache
- Dark urine
- Sunken eyes
- Irritability or confusion
Mild and even moderate dehydration can usually be regulated and nullified by drinking water. Yet intense dehydration, particularly during pregnancy, requires instantaneous medical attention.
Causes
Your body is utilizing water in greater proportions during your pregnancy. Dehydration is the outcome of your body losing water more rapidly than you can take it and other fluids in. During pregnancy, this is especially worrisome.
Water is used to form the placenta, which passes nutrients to your growing baby. It’s also used in the amniotic sac. If you’re dealing with morning sickness that makes it problematic to keep anything down, dehydration becomes even more likely. Vomiting can lead to a lack of fluids and electrolytes, plus the loss of stomach acids. The result is that your body can struggle to go about its natural functions. Dehydration is automatically a concern if you aren’t taking care to replace lost fluids.
People with an underlying medical condition are at an increased risk for dehydration in hot weather, following intense exercise, or when they do not drink enough water. Other health issues, particularly those that affect metabolism, can cause dehydration. These include:
- Kidney Failure
- Certain Rare Metabolic Disorders
- Intestinal Disorders Such As Crohn’s Disease Or Celiac Disease That Make It Difficult To Absorb Nutrients
Complications
Mild dehydration is not typically dangerous in pregnancy as long as the woman quickly gets enough fluids. Severe dehydration can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby.
Some of the common implications are:
- Constipation:
Hormonal changes suffered by expecting mothers hamper the digestive process, which leads to constipation.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):
Pregnant women are more susceptible to getting a UTI, and dehydration may increase the risk of UTI.
- Low amniotic fluid:
Several studies have found dehydration can decrease amniotic fluid levels.
- Braxton Hicks contractions:
Dehydration is widely considered
- Inadequate breast milk production:
Your body can’t produce enough breast milk when you’re dehydrated, because you’re not getting enough fluids and electrolytes.
- Overheating:
It’s already easy to get overheated while pregnant; you weigh more and your body has a hard time getting rid of the extra heat you’re creating. And because you’re probably sweating more than usual, you’re losing even more water.
- Migraines:
There’s nothing worse than a migraine or a headache, especially when you’re pregnant. Forgetting to stay hydrated can cause dizziness, low blood pressure that can lead to headaches or migraines.
Measures:
Preventing dehydration doesn’t have to be difficult. To prevent dehydration, boost fluid intake until the urine becomes clear or very pale yellow. Try to get at least eight to twelve glasses every day. Consider keeping up a water bottle or taking frequent water breaks. Resist caffeine, which can enhance your want to urinate. Water is perfect, but you can also consume milk, natural fruit juices, and soup.
You should also be thorough with any activities that cause overheating, like strenuous exercise. Even outdoor time in an extremely hot or humid environment can result in overheating. Prenatal care plays an indispensable role in preventing dehydration. There are several free or low-cost apps like Waterlogged and WaterMinder that can help you manage your fluid intake. Of course, you can also just use a good old pen and paper. It’s best to stick with unsweetened beverages for the majority of your fluid intake.
But if the idea of plain water doesn’t excite you, you can infuse your water with fresh fruit or herbs for a subtle boost of flavor. Often due to an elementary condition, such as a metabolic problem or hyperemesis gravidarum. If a woman has a history of dehydration or a condition that causes dehydration, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor about ways to prevent dehydration from happening.
