Are You Drinking Enough Water During Pregnancy?
Are You Drinking Enough Water During Pregnancy?
Drinking water is extra-important during pregnancy, and it’s more important than ever to ensure your source is safe. There’s more to H2O than meets the mouth.
What are the benefits of drinking water?
You need water to keep your body hydrated. Drinking enough water stop dehydration. Dehydration during pregnancy can lead to many complications such as headaches, nausea, cramps, oedema and dizziness. This is particularly significant in the third trimester when dehydration can essentially reason contractions that can trigger preterm labor.
The best way to tell if you are dehydrated is to check the color of your urine. It should be pale or straw-colored. If it is dark you require drinking more water
How much water should I drink while I’m pregnant?
You need to drink about three liters (eight to 12 glasses) of fluid every day. For every hour of light exercise you do, add another glass of water. During the summer, you will need to drink even more to make up for the fluid you lose because of perspiration.
Juices can count as part of your fluid intake but remember they can also contain a lot of extra calories. Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, colas, and teas shouldn’t be counted as part of your fluid intake because they’re diuretics. Diuretics make you urinate more so you essentially lose water.
How can I ensure the water I drink is safe and clean?
To stop the risks of waterborne diseases you need to make sure you only drink filtered, bottled or boiled water. Unfiltered or unboiled water may carry a host of contaminants, bacteria, and viruses. These are a health risk and may cause serious infections.
If you’re going out, carry your own water, so that you are sure it is clean and safe. If you buy packaged water, make sure the bottle is sealed. Always check the ‘date of packaging’ and the ‘best before’ date before you buy. Do not buy bottles that are damaged, leaking, discolored, have broken seals or sediment at the bottom.