DEHYDRATION DURING PREGNANCY: ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW
Dehydration is a worrisome event in any point of life. But it can be concerning particularly in pregnancy. Facing dehydration during pregnancy can lead to various consequences including lower levels of amniotic fluid, lesser supply of nutrients to the baby, inadequate breast milk production, neural tube defects and more.
There risks, in turn, can put huddles in the proper development or cause abnormal development of the baby.
But despite all odds, dehydration is pretty manageable with the help of some easy tips. These easy tip however, can actually be a life-saver to your baby. Thus, continue exploring the facts that require bravery to be explored about dehydration and pregnancy, and how to overcome it easily.
WHAT IS DEHYDRATION DURING PREGNANCY?
Simply, dehydration means a dangerous loss of body fluid. It can occur by certain illness, excessive sweating or improper supply of fluids back into the body.
Moreover, as in the case of pregnancy, expectant women are at greater danger to face it.
IS DEHYDRATION COMMON IN PREGNANCY?
Unexpectedly enough, getting dehydrated is more common in pregnancy than at other times. This happens because your body demands more water than usual in order to fill the ongoing demands of pregnancy.
But that’s not all. It also extracts more water by virtue of gestation as well. Thus, mild dehydration takes place while expecting
Severe dehydration, however, is not ordinary in pregnancy. It can be dangerous to the mother along with the baby.
So, is dehydration during pregnancy common?
Well, it is. But that does not mean not to give it due attention that it demands.
WHY DEHYDRATION OCCURS DURING PREGNANCY?
Dehydration generally happens because the body requires a remarkable amount of water in order to form the baby’s placenta, more blood, new tissues, the amniotic fluid and to supply the necessary amount of nutrients and minerals to the growing fetus.
So, when you don’t consume required amount of water in pregnancy, the body easily get dehydrated.
On top of that, you also lose most of the water level during the course of pregnancy. Factors like the below ones hugely assist an expectant woman body fluids loss during pregnancy, ultimately leading to dehydration while pregnant.
What causes dehydration during pregnancy?
- Excessive sweating
- Intense diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Morning sickness
- Frequent urination
- Fever
- Not staying hydrated
These are the factors that cause dehydration while pregnant.
SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION IN PREGNANCY
Becoming dehydrated leads to some bothersome signs. These signs are self-diagnosed, but often are neglected.
Thus, it’s important to recognize and pay attention to the signs of dehydration in pregnancy. These indications include:
- Maternal overheating
- Dark yellow urine
- Feeling thirsty
- Dizziness
- Dry and sticky mouth
- Dry lips
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Lesser need to pee
- Constipation
These are the typical signs of it. If you’re experiencing these ones, then it’s time to hydrate yourself with plenty of water with no time.
However, these are the mild signs that demonstrate the urgency of hydration. But there are some other ones as well that hint your body has lost most of it’s fluid and needs to be hydrates as soon as possible.
SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATION IN PREGNANCY
The symptoms of severe dehydration in pregnancy include
- Paid heartbeat
- Quicken breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Little or no urine at all
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Extreme thirst
- Dark urine
- Severely dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes
- Decreased skin elasticity
Ergo, the above-mentioned ones are the universal symptoms of loss of fluid levels in your body.
CAN DEHYDRATION AFFECT BABY DURING PREGNANCY?
Dehydration is probably not a thing to face during pregnancy. And there is no doubt with that. Severe dehydration can lead to vicious outcomes in the maternal period.
This factor is ill-famous for causing results including low amniotic fluids, birth defects, preterm labor and more.
Let’s clearly see how staying thirsty more often can directly affect a baby during pregnancy.
PRETERM LABOR
One of the greatest consequences of dehydration during pregnancy is preterm labor. When the body lacks the required amount of water, it eventually results with lower levels of amniotic fluid.
This factor, in turn, influences the baby’s growth, consequently leading the way to preterm birth.
Proper intake of fluids on the other hand, can reduce uterine contractility as it increases uterine blood to flow.
In this way, dehydration directly is linked with the possibilities of preterm labor.
LESSER BLOOD FLOW TO THE BABY
90 percent of our blood is made out of water. Thus, it’s crystal clear what exactly will happen when you won’t drink enough of it.
Dehydration is the leading cause that lowers blood’s volume. This factor leads to decreased blood flow to the baby. And guess what, it’s the carrier of minerals, nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus.
So, the lesser blood flow to the fetus as a result hampers the in-demand growth of the baby.
LOWER QUANTITY OF AMNIOTIC FLUID
Amniotic fluid is the protected liquid that surrounds the fetus. It helps exchange important nutrients, water and biochemical products in between the mother and baby.
But, most importantly, it allows baby’s movements in the womb, which is vital for the bone development of the fetus.
Besides everything, it’s made out of water that comes from your body.
That’s why, the lesser intake of water leads to lesser amniotic fluid. As simple as that. This factor, in more, answers with pressure compression of the baby’s organs as they develop inside the uterus.
A study even states that, low amniotic fluid in the first and second trimesters can boost the risks of miscarriages, premature birth and stillbirth.
CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS
The most important thing to consider in pregnancy is to prevent the chances of any major birth defects. However, dehydration while pregnant might be a thing that hinders your utmost intentions.
It has been observed that pregnant women who experienced dehydration are more likely to face neural tube defects in their babies.
As for neural tube birth defects, it can dramatically affect both the brain and spine of the baby.
It also occurs for the lack of water and nutritional support provided to the fetus.
LEAD TO INADEQUATE BREAST MILK
Breastfeeding is a crucial part of being a mother. That’s why it demands no lesser attention like in the period of pregnancy.
Staying well hydrated is not an ordinary thing in this stage, it is however important.
For the reason that, 80% of breast milk is made from water, dehydration can certainly lead to in adequate production of it.
In this stage if you don’t stay well hydrated, you may become unable to produce enough milk to feed the baby.
So, in these corresponding ways, dehydration during pregnancy affects the baby. If we comprise all the effects in one plain list then it will be as follows.
WHAT DOES DEHYDRATION DO WHILE PREGNANT?
Dehydration is responsible for establishing these following things while pregnant, that eventually affects maternity.
- Causes preterm labor
- Lessen the blood flow to baby
- Lower the quantity of amniotic fluid
- Causes major birth defects
- Leads to insufficient milk production
These are the demerits of not drinking enough water during pregnancy.
Like any other components for example: a healthy balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining mental peace and others, drinking the required amount of water is an utmost need to progress the pregnancy according to the plan.
And nothing can ever be easier than staying hydrated. So, follow these simple tips that will provide lesser chances of dehydration in pregnancy.
HOW TO TREAT DEHYDRATION DURING PREGNANCY?
Believe it or not, preventing dehydration is just a child’s play. It requires a little to no effect. and of course, no rocket science is needed!
There upon, implement these following simple tips that help treat dehydration during pregnancy.
HOW TO STAY HYDRATED DURING PREGNANCY?
- Drink 8-12 glasses of water daily
- Avoid exercises that result in overheating. They can assist you in more sweat, leading your body to be dehydrated frequently
- Get rid of hot condition or environment
- You can use a humidifier or adjust the temperature that you are surrounded with to avoid sweat.
- Avoiding caffeinated products can be profitable as well since they are linked with increased urine output.
- Feel free to circumvent alcohol consumption. It’s dangerous for pregnancy and can dehydrate you as well.
- Spend lesser time out in hot weather.
- Eat foods that are high in water content. Add more vegetables and fruit in your diet.
- Make staying properly hydrated an essential part of your daily routine. And stick with that.
- If you are a busy woman, then you must set a reminder to drink the proper amount of water throughout the day.
- Use an app that reminds you to fill your water level.
- Sugar is often blamed for dehydration as it leads to more urination. Thus, call a halt to your food cravings to sweets.
- Carry a water bottle wherever you go.
- Replace only water with various pregnancy friendly drinks, juices and smoothies.
- For example, you can add unsweetened cranberry juice, lemon water, flavored water, decaf coffee, vegetable juices, milk or sparkling water.
SIGNS OF PROPER HYDRATION
Self-evidently, you can yourself demonstrate whether you are hydrated or not. Besides, these below ones are the relaxing signs that indicate proper hydration.
- Light yellow or fully clear urine
- The stream is forceful
- No sign of dry skin or decreased skin elasticity
- Lesser headache and dizziness
- Feeling less nauseous
- A proper balanced od blood pressure
However, some of these above signs such as headaches, dizziness and nausea are expected to be experienced in pregnancy as they are common pregnancy symptoms.
But the other ones loudly hint that your rehydration is in absolut tune.
HOW MUCH WATER TO DRINK DURING PREGNANCY?
Pregnant women are strictly advised to consume 8-12 cups or 64 to 96 ounces of water per day.
Apart from only maintaining a healthy maternity, and giving advantages to your growing baby it can help nutrients to circulate as well as assist in extracting extra waste out of your body.
BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER DURING PREGNANCY
Water is crucial for motherhood. It can assist you to fight off mild, moderate or even severe dehydration during pregnancy.
But that’s not the whole thing. Staying well hydrated as you should be, can keep your pregnant health on track. It can assist you to,
- Obtain softer skin rather the hard one
- Decrease constipation
- Boost energy
- Avoid overweight problems
- Keep your body cooler
- Avid persistent urinary tract infection
- Reduce swelling
In general, hydration is the best thing to invest in. and also the best solution to most of your problems.
DEHYDRATION IN PREGNANCY: WHEN TO CALL DOCTOR
Dehydration in pregnancy is really a matter of concern. Although it is manageable and preventable too, still you have to stay wide awake to the indications your body transmits.
Call your doctor right away, if you start to experience these emergency features stated as below, while facing dehydration in pregnancy.
- Changes in baby’s movement patterns
- Stopped sweating even without rehydration
- Producing little to no urine
- Being faint
- Experiencing seizures or confused
- Having certain medical condition like kidney failure
- Having hyperemesis gravidarum
- Vomiting or having diarrhea longer than 12 hours
- Seeing water break or vaginal bleeding
- Being faced with early contractions
These signs can possibly be the forewarning of something unusual. That’s why, call your midwife or healthcare provider right away if facing any of these symptoms linked with dehydration during pregnancy.
IN CLOSING
All is said and all is done, so all in all this article ends here. I appreciate that you are still tuning in.
Dehydration is a threatful condition for a pregnant woman. It can lead to unwanted consequences that could be hard to undo. So, care for yourself, get yourself hydrated no matter what.
I also hope that you came to know a thing or two about dehydration during pregnancy.
All at the end, pregarlybody wishes you a healthy pregnancy ahead.
