Why Is Water Consumption So Important During Pregnancy
Your body is comprised mostly of water, and the consensus is that you need to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water on a daily basis. When you work out, work in heat or are pregnant, that number increases. How Much Water Should I drink while pregnant? Why is water considered so important during pregnancy?
The Importance Of Water
There are a plethora of benefits to drinking water – even if you’re not pregnant including but not limited to:
- Flushing toxins out of the body and allowing it to absorb the nutrients from consumed food.
- It can keep you from suffering from
- Water can regular the body’s temperature
- Water is necessary for proper organ and bodily function – sweating, breathing, digestion, etc.
- Water helps you from becoming dehydrated, which can cause headaches or make you feel tired or dizzy.
The Importance Of Water During Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes your body to undergo a lot of changes, and these changes mean your body needs even more water. Why is water such a necessity during pregnancy?
- Pregnancy can lead to dehydration. Most pregnant women suffer from nausea, vomiting, cramps and headaches. During the third trimester, a lack of adequate water consumption could cause bleeding, severe cramps and even pre-term labor.
- Urinary tract infections are far likelier during this time, and water offers protection against them.
- Nearly 50 percent of pregnant women will become constipated at some point. Why? The hormone progesterone causes the digestive muscles to relax, meaning food is moving slower in the tract. With lots of fluid and fiber, you can reduce the chance of suffering from constipation.
- The body holds onto more water when pregnant. However, drinking copious amounts of water can alleviate this problem. Yes, more water will keep the body from retaining water. Water retention can cause high blood pressure, which is dangerous to the unborn child and mother.
- Indigestion and heartburn can occur during pregnancy, but drinking plenty of water will help you to alleviate the pain that comes from them. This is great news if you’re trying to avoid taking heartburn-relieving medications – over-the-counter and prescription.
- If you’re going to be really pregnant during the summer months, then water will help you to beat the heat – not just swimming or getting into the lake, but also drinking a lot of it.
- If you’re going to breastfeed your body, water is an important part in producing breastmilk. However, breastfeeding mothers need to drink because they’re thirsty, not just because. Forcing yourself to drink when you’re not thirsty can cause discomfort and pain.
What Amount Of What Should You Be Drinking?
Again, the consensus is that the human body needs at least eight cups of eight ounces of water each day. According to the Institute of Medicine, women should drink 10 8-ounce glasses every day. The World Health Organization says women need to drink two liters a day.
If you are exercising or active during warm weather, you should increase your consumption amount by three to four glasses.
How, if you’re not a big fan of water, can you get this amount of water on a daily basis?
8 Tips That Ensure You Get Your Necessary Water Amount
When you live a busy life, it can be a bit tricky to get the water your body needs on a daily basis. However, there are ways you can do it.
- Bring with you a liter bottle of water to drink on during the morning and refill at lunch. This will help you to know how much water you’re consuming.
- Consider investing in a bottle that shows you how much water you need to drink by certain times.
- Upon waking up, drink a tall glass of water. Drink a full glass at every meal too.
- Use an app that will help you to track the number of glasses of water you’ve had.
- Add ice to drinks.
- Find a daily task that you can tie to drinking water. For example, drink a glass of water every time you go to the bathroom.
- Add flavors to your water.
- Use a water filter to make the taste of it a bit more appealing.
How To Handle Morning Sickness When Drinking Water
Morning sickness is a nasty side effect of pregnancy, making you feel nauseous and throwing up all the time. How can you drink your daily amount of water during the time of morning sickness? Consider chewing on ice cubes or eating popsicles to help you out. Some people opt for watermelon or other types of fruit during this time.
Is Water The Only Drink Pregnant Women Should Have?
You can have other drinks if you’d like such as milk, juice and coffee. However, water is by far the healthiest, but there’s been no proven benefit to drinking just water.
What Beverages Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?
If you’re having problems with water consumption, you don’t want to make up for it with the wrong types of fluid. What kinds of drinks do you not need to be consuming?
- Fruit juice appears healthy, but it’s laden with natural sugars.
- You should also back off the caffeine while you’re pregnant – coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women do not need to consume over 200 milligrams of caffeine each day. That equates to two cups of coffee or tea.
- Herbal teas should not be consumed while pregnant (especially when you’re in the first trimester). Always talk with your doctor before using herbal remedies.
What Should You Drink To Attain Your Recommended Fluid Consumption
What are some other fluid choices to consider besides water? There are many of them actually.
- First, you can mash up fruits and herbs at the bottom of your water glass to give the water flavor (think mint, peaches, oranges, etc.)
- Diluted fruit juice has less sugar and calories than concentrated fruit juice. You can also try vegetable juices that are loaded with nutrients and don’t contain much sugar.
- Coconut water is another particular healthy option.
As you see, there are many reasons why your pregnant body and growing baby needs you to drink water. Be sure to get at least eight to 10 large glasses of water each day. If you notice signs of dehydration, consume more water. If you’re doing this and still have problems, talk to your doctor immediately.
