Why Drinking Too Much Water During Pregnancy Is Not A Concern
Benefits Of Drinking Water During Pregnancy
Water carries the nutrients from your food to the baby. It also removes toxins from your body and prevents urinary tract infections and early contractions. It also improves the quantity of amniotic fluid that is essential for your baby's growth. Experts say that you should have close to 3 liters of fluids every day, of which 1.5 liters should be water.
Drinking adequate quantities of water is essential for every human being. Its importance only doubles if you are pregnant. Drinking enough water when you are pregnant is essential for you as well as your baby. It carries the essential nutrients from the food you eat to your baby which is important for the development of a healthy baby.
So, as a mom-to-be, you should know why it is important to drink water and how much water your body requires during pregnancy.
Drinking Too Much Water Is Not A Concern
There is nothing as drinking too much water during pregnancy. In fact, drinking plenty of water is recommended when you are pregnant. Some women limit their water intake because they believe that drinking too much water may lead to water retention, but this is not true. In fact, it prevents water retention. So, don’t hold back on drinking water when you feel you’ve had more water than usual.
Some pregnant women fear that too much water intake can lead to a drastic increase in the quantity of amniotic fluid – the fluid surrounding the unborn baby essential for their growth. In medical terms, this condition is known as polyhydramnios. Drinking plenty of water does not cause too much amniotic fluid to surround the baby. It is usually caused due to a blockage in the baby’s gut, a problem in the placenta, or due to a genetic issue. Sometimes, too much amniotic fluid can also form if the mother is diabetic.
Some others believe that drinking too much water can cause swollen genitals. This, too, is not true. Swollen genitals may be a sign of an infection which can be treated under the supervision of a gynecologist.
So, if you are drinking way too much water than you would during your pregnancy, it is normal and safe. In fact, water can benefit your body and the baby’s health. Let’s examine how water plays a role during pregnancy.
How Water Affects Pregnancy
Apart from the fact that water keeps your body hydrated, there are other reasons why it is important to drink enough water during pregnancy. It is also normal to drink more water than your usual intake when you are pregnant because you require water for yourself and the baby. Here are some reasons why water is extremely important while you are pregnant.
1. It Helps In Nutrient Absorption
Water is essential for your body and the baby’s because it helps you provide the essential nutrients to the cells in your body. In addition, water can transport the nutrients required for the baby’s healthy growth. Water, when consumed in plenty, can help in carrying the nutrients from the food you eat to the baby. Your blood volume increases during pregnancy and drinking enough water can help you keep up with the change your body goes through. Insufficient water intake can reduce the nutrients received by the baby.
2. It Prevents Urinary Tract Infections
Water is not only important for carrying essentials nutrients to your body and your baby’s, it is also important to flush the toxins out of the body. Pregnant women pee a lot and therefore, it is important for them to get enough water for the normal functioning of the kidneys and the urinary system. This, in turn, does not stress the baby’s kidneys. Drinking enough water also prevents urinary tract infections which are common during pregnancy. It may also relieve or prevent constipation.
3. It Fights Dizziness And Fatigue
It is normal for your body to feel tired soon. However, this feeling is heightened if you don’t drink enough water. So, drinking plenty of water when you are pregnant can fight fatigue and dizziness – two conditions that may arise due to dehydration. Some women also experience a condition called maternal overheating – a common sign of dehydration. You need enough water to regulate your body heat. Therefore, drink plenty of water to keep yourself and your baby at normal body temperature.
4. It Prevents Early Uterine Contractions
Some studies report a link between preterm labor and dehydration.1 Not drinking enough water can cause unexpected contractions in the uterus and can instigate feelings of fear in the mother and the family.
5. It Improves The Quantity Of Amniotic Fluid
Amniotic fluid is essential for the development of the fetus. It protects the baby and also provides enough room for the movement of the baby. However, dehydration can cause this fluid to reduce which can be harmful to the baby’s growth. Studies have reported that hydration therapy improves the quantity of amniotic fluid.2 Therefore, drinking plenty of water can improve the quantity of amniotic fluid in the body that is vital for the baby’s growth.
How Much Water You Should Drink During Pregnancy
You need to drink lots of water during pregnancy, way more water than an average human being would drink on a daily basis. This would be vague information for a mom-to-be. Therefore, on an average, a pregnant woman should drink at least 10–13 glasses of water every day.
Some experts say that you should have close to 3 liters of water every day.3 Of the 3 liters, water should account for at least 50 ounces or 1.5 liters of your fluid intake. Water from the food that you eat can make up another 20 ounces (600 ml). The rest (30 ounces or more/9o ml) can come from milk, juices, and other beverages.
For some women, this may seem like a lot of water. You don’t have to increase your water intake all in one go. Try to drink one glass at a time throughout the day. You can decrease your water intake in the later part of the day so you don’t have to interrupt your sleep by visiting the bathroom during the night.
Tips To Increase Your Daily Water Intake
If you are not used to drinking so much water in one day, here are some tips you can follow:
- Drink a glass of water every day in the morning when you wake up. Try to limit your caffeine during pregnancy as this acts as a diuretic which may increase your water consumption.
- Water is always the best option to keep you hydrated; however, you can have fruit juices and broth to increase your fluid intake.
- Don’t wait for you to feel thirsty. Thirst is a sign of dehydration. Sip on water every now and then.
- For snacks, have juicy fruits. This can increase your fluid intake.
- Exercises are recommended for pregnant women; however, don’t go overboard with them. Strenuous exercises may have adverse effects on your health. When you exercise, drink a glass of water before you begin your workout.
So, if you have limited your water intake, you don’t have to anymore because you know that it can only help with your pregnancy and labor.
References [ + ]
|1.||↑||Stan, C., Michel Boulvain, P. Hirsbrunner-Amagbaly, and R. Pfister. “Hydration for treatment of preterm labour.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2 (2002).|
|2.||↑||Patrelli, Tito Silvio, Salvatore Gizzo, Erich Cosmi, Maria Giovanna Carpano, Stefania Di Gangi, Giuseppe Pedrazzi, Giovanni Piantelli, and Alberto Bacchi Modena. “Maternal Hydration Therapy Improves the Quantity of Amniotic Fluid and the Pregnancy Outcome in Third‐Trimester Isolated Oligohydramnios.” Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine 31, no. 2 (2012): 239-244.|
|3.||↑||Curtis, Glade B., and Judith Schuler. Your Pregnancy After 35: Revised Edition. Da Capo Press, 2013.|
Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.