Pregnant mother, how important is water for the body? (Hydration in Pregnancy)

Pregnancy is a very beautiful and hopeful time in life. At the same time, it is important to take great care of your health and that of your unborn baby. During this time when we are so focused on what we eat and drink, one thing that many people may forget, but is extremely important, is drinking enough water. So today, let's talk about why drinking water during pregnancy is so important, how much to drink, and what happens if you don't drink enough water.

Why is water so important during pregnancy?

Simply put, water is essential to life. Our bodies are made up of 60% water. Water does many things in our bodies.

• Controls body temperature.
• It helps build our cells.
• Nutrients like proteins and carbohydrates are carried throughout the body through the blood.
• It helps our joints function.
• Waste products in the body are excreted as sweat and urine .
• Saliva is also made from water.
• Provides protection to the spine and brain.

When you're pregnant, water becomes very important for several special reasons , in addition to these general needs.

• Make more blood: During pregnancy, your body's blood volume increases more than usual. Water is essential for this.
• For the baby's blood circulation: The baby's circulatory system in the womb needs water to function properly.
• Make Amniotic Fluid : This is the most important thing. The baby floats in this fluid in the womb. To be precise, this fluid is called amniotic fluid . This is what protects the baby and helps the baby grow. So to make enough of this fluid, the mother needs to drink plenty of water.

So how much water should you drink per day?

According to doctors, a pregnant mother should drink between 8 and 12 glasses of water a day. That's between 2 and 3 liters.

This need changes slightly as pregnancy progresses.

First Trimester

Many people have morning sickness during this time, making it difficult to keep down food and drink. When you vomit, your body loses a lot of water. So even if you vomit, try to drink water or ginger tea throughout the day.

Sometimes this vomiting can be very severe. We call it hyperemesis gravidarum . In this condition, excessive vomiting can cause a loss of more than 5% of body weight and complete dehydration. In this case, you may need to be hospitalized and treated .

4 to 6 months (Second Trimester)

Morning sickness often subsides during this time. Now that you need to increase your daily calorie intake, you should also increase your water intake. Doctors recommend consuming an additional 340 calories per day. That means drinking an additional 340 milliliters (about a glass) of water .

7 to 9 months (Third Trimester)

During the last half of your pregnancy, you need about 450 extra calories per day. That means you need to drink an additional 450 milliliters of water (about one and a half glasses) .

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

If you don't drink enough water, your body will become dehydrated. This means that more water is lost from your body than it takes in. This condition can be very dangerous during pregnancy.

Even mild dehydration can affect your memory and mood. Drinking water will help. However, severe dehydration requires medical attention.

Effects of dehydration on the baby

If you become dehydrated during pregnancy, it directly affects the level of amniotic fluid that we talked about earlier. This decrease in fluid is called oligohydramnios . This is very dangerous for the baby. Because amniotic fluid:

• The baby is protected from infections.
• The baby is allowed to move freely in the womb.
• Clamping the umbilical cord prevents harm to the baby.
• Controls the baby's body temperature.
• Helps the baby's lungs and digestive system develop.

It may be difficult for you to tell if this fluid is decreasing. But if your baby's movements decrease , if there is a fluid coming out of your vagina , or if you are not gaining enough weight, your doctor will check with an ultrasound.

In addition, dehydration can lead to other complications such as kidney stones , urinary tract infections (UTIs) (which can lead to premature birth), and swelling .

What happens if you drink too much water?

This is not as common as dehydration. But sometimes drinking too much water can cause problems. This is especially true for people with conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease . Some antidepressants and pain relievers (NSAIDs) can also cause water retention.

Some simple ways to help you drink more water

Some people forget to drink water. These methods will help them.

• Listen to your body: Don't always wait until you feel thirsty. Drink water before you feel it.
• Exercise: But don't exercise outside when it's too hot. Exercise in the morning or evening, or indoors.
• Other fluids: You can also meet your fluid needs with things like soup, milk, fresh fruit juice, and herbal tea.
• Fruits and vegetables: Like a balanced diet, these also contain a lot of water.
• Make water taste better: Add something like a lime slice or frozen strawberry to your water and drink it.
• Keep a water bottle with you: Carry a refillable water bottle with you wherever you go. This will help you remember to drink water regularly.

We get about 20% of our daily water intake from food, so it's a good idea to eat foods that are high in water.