Most women suffer both physically and psychologically after pregnancy, and among them, pregnancy sickness should be the last thing any mother who has experienced it wants to remember. On top of that, there is the annoying frequent urination. Some pregnant women choose to drink less water in order to reduce the number of trips to the toilet.

This is actually not true. An adult's body contains about 70% of its body weight in water, so water is the source of life, and pregnant women are no exception. Dehydration during pregnancy is extremely dangerous, and women should drink more water to hydrate during pregnancy.

But what is dehydration during pregnancy and what are its symptoms? And how can we prevent it? After reading this article, we can effectively get this information and be able to drink water scientifically and correctly during pregnancy.

Table of content:

• How much water should a pregnant woman drink every day?
• Why does dehydration occur during pregnancy?
• The dangers of dehydration during pregnancy
• Seven symptoms of dehydration during pregnancy
• How to prevent dehydration?

How much water should a pregnant woman drink every day?

We recommend that pregnant women need to drink at least 6-8 250ml glasses of water per day.

Water is very important for the health of pregnant women and we highly recommend women in pregnancy to drink more water. Water is the body's transport system that brings nutrients from the mother's body to the fetus through the blood, and also carries away metabolites from the fetus and the pregnant mother. Water plays an important role in generating the placenta, which helps form the amniotic sac, the place where the baby grows. It is important to get enough water during pregnancy.

Many women experience bladder and urinary tract infections during pregnancy, and drinking more water can maintain a more dilute concentration of urine and reduce the risk of infection. Drinking water can also improve the symptoms of constipation in pregnant women. Many pregnant women experience constipation, and drinking more water appropriately is good for preventing hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

Why does dehydration occur during pregnancy?

There are many causes of dehydration during pregnancy, and we need to hydrate promptly if we encounter the following situations

1. Nausea as well as vomiting  

About 50 to 80% of women have symptoms of pregnancy vomiting during pregnancy, which is one of the main causes of dehydration. This symptom will appear from the fourth to the sixth week of pregnancy and reaches its peak around 10 to 16 weeks. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, frequent urination and sweating.

2. Diarrhea  

Hormonal changes, eating habits and aversion to certain foods can lead to diarrhea, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. This allows excessive loss of fluids and electrolytes, leading to dehydration.

3. Age 

One of the issues that pregnant women over the age of 35 need to be aware of is dehydration. Because of age, the body becomes less hydrated and less sensitive to the need for water, and we will feel thirstier less often, which can make us neglect to hydrate. 

4. Fever  

High risk of vomiting, fluid loss and dehydration due to high body temperature caused by fever may occur.

5. Lack of adequate fluids  

The amount of water intake depends on activity level, weight, age, climate and season. If the season is warm, fluid replacement needs to be increased. Pregnant women seek the help of their doctor to determine the optimal amount of water intake.

6. Strong exercise  

Especially when the weather is hot. Exercise may lead to a large amount of water loss, so you need to wear appropriate maternity clothes when exercising, and you need to replenish water in time.

7. Weather and climate

Hot and humid weather is prone to more sweating, which can potentially lead to dehydration.

The dangers of dehydration during pregnancy

There are many reasons for dehydration, and there are many risks to pregnant women. If a pregnant woman is dehydrated and not hydrated in a timely manner, it can lead to serious consequences.

Causes nausea and vomiting  

A lack of water in the body can exacerbate nausea and vomiting and make a person more reluctant to drink water and then more nauseous. If a pregnant woman is not getting enough water, she may need to be hospitalized.  

Affects the growth of the fetus  

Insufficient fluid in the body will lead to insufficient supply of amniotic fluid to the baby, which will directly affect the growth of the baby.

Increase the risk of preterm delivery  

Being dehydrated in the middle to late stages of pregnancy increases the risk of preterm delivery. This is because dehydration can cause premature contractions of the uterus.

Heat regulation becomes poor

Dehydration may cause the pregnant woman to be unable to regulate her body temperature properly, resulting in overheating. If the pregnant woman's body temperature exceeds 102 degrees Fahrenheit, then the fetus may also become overheated, which may affect the growth and development of the child.

Other risks

It may lead to risks such as fatigue, constipation and insufficient breast milk for pregnant women. In addition, water plays an important role in cleaning up body waste, liver and kidney health.

Seven symptoms of dehydration during pregnancy

How should a pregnant woman know if she is dehydrated? We can easily determine the presence of dehydration during pregnancy based on the following four tips:

• Thirst. Those with dehydration will have a more pronounced thirst. The tongue will also be dry and saliva production will be reduced.
• Dry, cracked lips and dry skin. In the case of dehydration, the skin loses its previous elasticity or becomes very dry.
• No urination for a long time and the urine is yellow and has a strong odor.
• Vertigo and headache. Dehydration can cause vertigo, especially when standing up or bending over. Dehydration is a major cause of headaches.

Dehydration in pregnant women can be classified as mild dehydration, moderate dehydration, or severe dehydration, and the symptoms usually differ depending on the degree of dehydration. It is recommended to visit the hospital in time and make improvements according to the doctor's recommendations to avoid serious consequences.

How to prevent dehydration?

The most effective way to prevent dehydration is to drink more water, hydrate in a timely manner and make sure you drink enough water every day. Some water glasses can measure the amount of water drunk and also do timely reminders. Also pregnant women can quote milk, juice and vegetable juice appropriately, but be aware that they add extra calories.

We can also add water to our diet by choosing watery vegetables and fruits, or by drinking soup to hydrate. Vegetables such as cucumbers, radishes and tomatoes are rich in water; fruits such as watermelon, strawberries and oranges are also good choices. Eat more vegetables and fruits not only to replenish water, but also to intake vitamins.

In addition, there are many discussions on the internet about "whether pregnant women can drink coffee". Our advice is to consult your doctor, as only he or she knows your personal health condition and the effects of external stimulants on you. It is generally accepted that pregnant women do not need to give up caffeine completely, but they should control their daily intake.

Dehydration can be effectively prevented by taking care of timely hydration.