Staying Hydrated During Pregnancy

Hydration during Pregnancy

Isn’t it amazing that both Earth and our body are made up of about 70% water? I find that fascinating. Which is why it is so important to stay hydrated throughout the day, every system in your body depends on water. An average adult should be drinking a minimum of half of their body weight in ounces of water. For example, if you weight 160 lbs you should be drinking 80 ounces of water. If you drink coffee, soda, tea or exercise then you need to increase your water intake. During pregnancy your baby lives in a water world and it is essential for your health as well as the baby’s health to stay hydrated.

Water delivers all the nutrients you consume every day to help grow your baby by transporting vitamins, minerals, and hormones to the blood cells that will travel to the placenta and ultimately your baby. It also helps eliminate waste and flush the kidneys and move solid waste down the digestive tract. Not enough water can lead to constipation and kidney stones. Water also helps regulate your body temperature which is sky rocketing because you are growing a baby and expending a lot of energy.  Water is also helpful in reducing fatigue, headaches, dry skin, and keeps water retention under control. You might think that drinking a lot of water will cause water weight but it actually helps reduce puffiness.

Dehydration during pregnancy can lead to many health issues with you and your baby. During the first trimester dehydration can lead to there not being enough amniotic fluid which can cause baby to rest directly on your uterus and hinder your baby’s development and could cause limb deformities. Dehydration during the second and third trimester can lead to premature labor because your body is working harder than normal. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include infrequent urination, headaches, chapped lips, dry mouth, and dry skin.

Pregnancy is a beautiful process a woman may experience in her life. Your body was built to accomplish this task of creating a human being without consciously thinking about it during these 9 months. Your body knows exactly when to send nutrients to your baby and when to remove waste. It knows exactly where to put the perfect button nose and ten fingers and ten toes. No one is reminding you every day “Don’t forget. Today we need to grow eyelashes.” You innately know how and when to do it. That is amazing! Don’t discredit the job you have right now and never doubt you can do this because you can and you are succeeding! When the big day comes to meet your little one remember you know and your body knows exactly what to do during labor. You can give birth. You were built to give birth!

Virginia Beach Chiropractor, cares for you and your baby!

Tips for staying hydrated during pregnancy:

  • Sip water throughout the day gulping a whole glass can lead to flooding your system and fill you up leading to bloating
  • If you are exercising be aware of how much you are sweating and drinking water at the same time.
  • Make electrolyte popsicles with coconut water (store brands have harmful artificial colors and flavors)
  • Ice Chips are always a classic
  • Make a system of tracking your water intake such as lining up ready to drink water in your fridge
  • Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables which have lots of water in them, watermelon is 90% water.

Add Your Comment (Get a Gravatar)

Your Name

