The Hydration Guide for Expecting Moms

The word "dehydration" immediately takes me back to those moments during prayer time in school when some "weaker" students would suddenly lose their balance and faint, but when I read about it, I realized what dehydration truly is.

Simply speaking, dehydration is "a lack of water in the body," but the WHO describes it as "a condition that occurs when the body loses too much water and other fluids."

Many of us tend to overlook dehydration, but it’s a serious condition that affects many people but we must not forget that dehydration can lead to a wide range of health issues that can impact our daily lives and well-being.

In the case of pregnant women, dehydration can have even more severe effects for both mother and the baby, especially during the third trimester.

A pregnant female needs more water in comparison to an average person as water plays a crucial role in supporting both mother and the baby.

During pregnancy, the growing baby relies on placenta to get all the nutrients from the aspiring mother, and enough amount of water is required for healthy development of placenta.

Apart from this, the amniotic sac, which is the protective fluid-filled bubble surrounding the baby, also requires water to form amniotic fluid. This fluid acts as a cushion for the fetus, preventing injury and allowing room for movement.

Water is crucial for the overall health of a pregnant woman, as it supports the function of various organs, aids in digestion, helps prevent constipation, and can even reduce the chances of swelling and fatigue.

Dehydration may result in a reduced amount of amniotic fluid, which can cause problems with the baby's development, such as neural tube defects, premature labor, poor production of breast milk, and other complications.?

Dehydration can also lead to constipation, which is very common during pregnancy, and may even increase the risk of nausea and vomiting in some cases, ultimately leading to further fluid loss.

It can also result in reduced blood volume, which may affect the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, potentially leading to low birth weight while in extreme cases, severe dehydration can increase the risk of stillbirth.

In simple terms, dehydration compromises fetal development.

For the expecting mother, dehydration can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI), as urine becomes more concentrated.

A dehydrated pregnant woman may experience a variety of symptoms, such as dry mouth and lips, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, dark yellow urine, less frequent urination, and swelling in the limbs.

As the old saying goes, "prevention is always better than cure." Keeping "her" hydrated is the best option.

She should aim to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, while ensuring that she stays in a comfortable environment; not too hot or too cold.?

Eating hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, oranges, and celery, which are full of water, can also help keep her hydrated. It’s important to avoid soft drinks and caffeine, as these can worsen dehydration.

Make it a habit to always carry a water bottle with you, and try to sip water throughout the day.

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