Are You Drinking Enough Water?

Having a baby? Let’s drink (cool, refreshing water) to that! When you’re pregnant, you need more water than the average person to cope with the increasing demands of your body. And a lot of times, we tend to overlook the importance of adequate hydration during pregnancy.

Why Do You Need More Water?

Here are some reasons why you might want to increase your water intake during pregnancy:

  • Since you need more water, falling short of the required amount can lead to dehydration. Dehydration during pregnancy can lead to headaches, dizziness, and cramps. Drinking enough water helps you avoid dehydration
  • It lowers the chances of constipation and hemorrhoids
  • Reduces swelling
  • Increases energy levels by keeping you cool and refreshed
  • Decreases the chances of urinary tract infections
  • Water is how the nutrients in your body reach your baby. Adequate hydration means easy transportation for these nutrients
  • Adequate hydration during the last trimester helps promote a healthy, natural labor

How Much Water Do You Need?

It is recommended that you drink about 3 liters of water each day when pregnant. If you live somewhere that’s hot and humid, you might need a little more water to make up for the amount that you lose due to sweating.

It’s better to drink little amounts of water throughout the day rather than chugging it all down at once. This will help your body utilize it better.

How You Can Get Yourself To Drink More Water

If you’re one of those people that always carry a water bottle on you, it might be easy for you to drink up. However, if you’re like most of us and forget about your required water intake until the end of the day, here are some tips to get your water consumption on track:

  • Get a cup or water bottle that you like drinking from
  • Drink water at the temperature you prefer! If you like room temperature, stock up on that. If you prefer cold water, make sure you always have a bottle in the refrigerator
  • Set reminders to drink water on your phone or install an app to do it for you
  • Have a partner or a friend remind you to drink water
  • Write a reminder on a post-it and post it somewhere you can see it

 

No matter how you choose to do it, as long as you’re drinking the hydration that you need, you’ll be happy that you did! Remember, taking care of your body is crucial to you and your baby’s health, so make sure you’re doing what you can to ensure you’re both perfectly healthy.