Why is hydration important during pregnancy?

According to the experts, “during pregnancy, you should drink 8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) of water every day”. Depending on your level and lifestyle, body height and weight, and the weather, you may have different hydration needs. When it’s hot outside or you’re exercising, you’ll require more water than usual.

The easiest way to know if you’re drinking enough water is to do the following: You should only be thirsty on rare occasions, and your urine should be pale yellow or colourless.

Water is the best beverage, although milk, juice, coffee, and tea are all hydrating and contribute to your fluid intake. Water-rich fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, cucumber, and even iceberg lettuce, contribute to your overall water intake.

Keep in mind that juice is full of sugar and extra calories, so you don’t want to rely on it too much. Caffeine in coffee, tea, and sodas should also be minimized. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day (about one 12-ounce cup of coffee).

First trimester

Because your water demand increases throughout pregnancy, you may not need to think about how much water you drink at first.

If morning sickness leads you to vomit, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your water intake. When you throw up, your body loses both water and electrolytes, which can rapidly dehydrate you, so drink more fluids than usual during the day.

Moreover, notify your doctor if you are unable to keep fluids down owing to nausea and vomiting, or if you lose more than 5% of your pre-pregnancy weight. You could have hyperemesis gravidarum, which necessitates hospitalization and IV hydration and electrolyte infusions.

Second trimester

Nausea and vomiting should (hopefully) be gone by the second trimester. However, since blood is made up of more than three-quarters water, your water demand will increase as your blood volume rises.

While 10 cups of water may seem like a huge challenge, it’s achievable if you sip throughout the day rather than drinking a large amount of water when you’re thirsty. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try flavouring it with a lemon or lime wedge or some juice.

Third trimester

At weeks 32 to 34 of pregnancy, your blood volume hits a peak, growing by 50 to 60% over pre-conception levels. Staying hydrated is especially crucial in the third trimester because dehydration can trigger Braxton Hicks contractions, which can be mistaken for true labour pains.

Although you don’t need to carry a waterlog, keeping a water bottle by your side and drinking before you feel thirsty is a smart idea.