When you’re pregnant, one of the things you’ll get asked at pretty much every prenatal appointment is how much water you are drinking. While yes, it is important to be hydrated on a daily basis, it’s extra important when you’re carrying a little baby.
Pregnant women need more water than the average person because of the extra burden it puts on their body. They need water to form amniotic fluid, to produce the extra blood circulating through their body, to help build new tissue, carry nutrients, improve their digestion and to flush out waste and toxins from their body.
Some extra benefits to staying hydrated during pregnancy include:
– Improved digestion (and less constipation and hemorrhoids)
– Reduces swelling (especially if you add some freshly squeezed lemon in your water!)
– Softer skin and more energy
– Less likely to develop a UTI
– Decreased risk of preterm labor and preterm birth
How much water should you drink? I recommend pregnant women aim for 64-80 oz of water a day. You can tell if you’re hydrated if your pee is pale or colorless and you are going to the bathroom frequently.
If you struggle to drink water, here are some tips to help you stay hydrated!
– Add fruit like lemons, cucumber, limes or berries to your water for some extra flavor
– Reduce or avoid caffeine
– Eat fruits and vegetables that have a naturally high water content (like melons, strawberries, pineapple, celery, lettuce and broccoli)
– Stay out of the heat as much as possible
– Try adding in other drinks like coconut water, tea and bone broth which count towards your total fluid intake of the day
So the next time you grumble about going to the bathroom for the hundredth time, just remember how important it is to stay hydrated and how much it helps you and your little baby!
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