Pregnancy & Dehydration
Summer is approaching! If you’re pregnant it’s especially important to make sure you are drinking enough water to stay hydrated in these warm-weather months.
Summer is approaching! If you’re pregnant it’s especially important to make sure you are drinking enough water to stay hydrated in these warm-weather months. During pregnancy, your body will need more water than the average woman. That’s because the extra water helps your baby develop through providing proper fluids and nutrients through the placenta (the connective tissue connecting your body to your baby’s developing body) to the amniotic sac (where the baby grows).
It’s important to stay hydrated because when your body’s water supply is not adequate, serious pregnancy complications and birth defects may occur. This includes low amniotic fluid, low breast milk production, neural tube defects and preterm labor may even occur.
Therefore it is especially important to make sure you are constantly drinking water (at least 8-12 cups per day) and other healthy fluids throughout the day. During the summer, make sure to pack extra water with you when you are on the go! Avoid excess sunlight and situations where you may overheat. Be sure to avoid caffeine as it increases dehydration in the body, as well as rigorous, intense exercise (though light to moderate exercise is okay) so to further avoid overheating.
A good way to tell if you’re dehydrated is to check the color of your urination. Dark yellow is a sign that you’re dehydrated and should drink more. Light and clear signifies your body is well-hydrated. If your urine is dark... grab a refreshing cup of water and help promote you and your baby’s optimal health.
Other symptoms may include thirst or extreme thirst, dry mouth, sleepiness, headache, constipation, and dizziness.
