Have you ever wondered how the foods and prenatal vitamins you eat find their way to the fetus? The simple answer is water. Your body needs water to absorb important nutrients and to carry hormones, vitamins, and minerals to the blood cells. Ultimately, the nutrient-dense blood cells reach the uterus through the placenta. Intake of water and other fluids during pregnancy is very important. Your body needs water to form amniotic fluid, build new tissues, produce extra blood, carry nutrients, and flush out toxins and other wastes.

The well-being and growth of your unborn child also rely on how much water you consume. You may affect how much amniotic fluid surrounds your baby by how much water you consume. The amount of fluid your baby requires to stay healthy changes as they develop. This amniotic fluid aids in the growth of your unborn child and acts as a barrier to keep your unborn child safe, warm, and healthy inside the womb. Birth abnormalities and possibly miscarriage are consequences of low amniotic fluid.

How is staying hydrated important?

Good hydration is beneficial in quite many ways:

i.        Prevents constipation and hemorrhoids. 

-          When you are pregnant, your unborn baby depends on your system for excretion. Constipation is remarkably common in pregnancy. Therefore, good water consumption helps move solid wastes speedily down the digestive path, thus preventing constipation. Frequent constipation often leads to hemorrhoids.

ii.      Decrease the risk of urinary tract infections

-          Too much overstay of urine in the bladder can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria. It may predispose a pregnant woman to urinary tract infections. Drinking enough water keeps your urine diluted and increases your frequency of urination, preventing you from infections.  

iii.    Fights fatigue.

-          A dehydrated pregnant woman will often experience headaches and fatigue. Good hydration keeps pregnancy headaches and fatigue in check. It also helps your body flush out excess sodium, minimizing edema characterized by swollen feet.

iv.    Water keeps the blood suitably hydrated, facilitating the heart's pumping action. It oxygenates the muscles and organs, lowering the possibility of cramps, strains, and circulation issues during pregnancy.

v.      It lessens the pain of contractions and aid in delivery by increasing blood volume.  

vi.    Softens your body giving you a beautiful glow

-Pregnancy-related hormonal changes that make your skin more fragile and vulnerable to itchiness, tightness, and stretch marks

 can be counteracted by drinking adequate water.

How much water should I drink?

A healthy woman should drink 2-3 liters of water daily. However, this is not often the case. So when they become pregnant, they feel like they are drinking more water during pregnancy. Pregnant women should drink at least 10 cups (2.3litres) of fluids daily.

How do I know if I am well hydrated?

If you frequently visit the toilet and the color of your urine is pale or colorless, you are probably well hydrated. You are already a little dehydrated if you start to feel thirsty. Avoid letting your body get to this point. To stay hydrated, always keep a bottle of water with you.

What if I eat fruits rich in water?

In general, 90% of the weight of fruits and vegetables is water. Two cups of water can be obtained from two cups of veggies or one and a half cups of fruit. Eating a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables like spinach, kale, melons, apples, and oranges is a fantastic approach to make sure you receive enough water in your diet. Even though these can help compensate for the lack of water in your diet, they cannot replace water under any circumstance. You must still consume at least eight cups of water each day.

Tip: Try whipping up a fruit and vegetable smoothie for breakfast. It’s a quick and delicious way to get extra vitamins, minerals, and water in your diet every day.