Adequate fluid intake is essential in all stages of life for the body to function properly, however, hydration during pregnancy becomes more important , because for a proper gestation it is necessary that there is no lack of water in the diet.
We will tell you why taking care of your water consumption is so important at this stage and how much water you should drink during pregnancy .
Hydration during pregnancy
As we have already reviewed on other occasions, during pregnancy there are a series of important changes in the woman’s body, causing the amount of water needed to increase .
The correct consumption of water at this stage is important, since it is necessary for the formation of amniotic fluid , as well as to promote the growth and development of the baby, and to face the increased energy consumption that is needed during pregnancy.
In addition, we must not forget that at this stage the increase in blood volume promotes a higher body temperature that requires us to take care of hydration if we want to better tolerate heat and at the same time, prevent discomfort such as hypotension, dizziness or even heat stroke.
But water is not only necessary to meet the physical needs of pregnancy, since adequate hydration also has other important benefits at this stage :
- Facilitates the flow of nutrients into the baby’s bloodstream.
- Improves blood circulation.
- It helps to better preserve body temperature and better tolerate heat.
- It keeps the skin hydrated during pregnancy, which will stretch so much in certain areas, with the consequent prevention of the risk of stretch marks.
- It does not influence the gain of fat mass and helps us maintain the ideal weight during pregnancy.
- When it is drunk in small intervals, it helps to prevent the typical acidity of this stage, created by gastric juices and nausea.
- It helps to increase the amount of urine and visits to the bathroom, which help purify the body of toxins, and reduces the incidence of kidney stones and urinary tract infections, which are more common in pregnant women.
- Avoid dehydration, which in pregnancy can be dangerous since blood does not reach the placenta efficiently, and can also cause headaches and nausea, as well as contractions in the third trimester.
- It helps prevent or reduce constipation, which is usually a common problem during pregnancy.
How much water should I drink in pregnancy?
Since we have explained the importance of drinking enough water during pregnancy, we now proceed to answer the question that heads this article: how much water to drink per day during pregnancy?
According to the document “Guidelines for hydration in comprehensive healthcare”, prepared by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) and other organizations, the recommended consumption of water during pregnancy is as follows:
- During the first trimester: 2 to 2.5 liters of water a day.
- During the second and third trimesters (as well as during lactation): 3 liters a day.
Since water needs vary from person to person, water consumption can change a bit. For example, it must be taken into account that if you do physical activity during pregnancy, you will need a greater intake of fluids .
We will also have to take into account the time of year , since in summer and with the increase in temperature it is necessary to drink more water to stay hydrated.
The ideal in pregnancy is to always be drinking liquids little by little during the course of the day , and not wait until we become thirsty to do so, as this is the first sign of possible dehydration.
Although we can also obtain water from food, we will have to prefer water to hydrate ourselves and thus make sure we obtain the recommended amount, as well as choosing drinks at cool temperatures that promote consumption.
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In Babies and more | Why is it so important to increase fluid intake during pregnancy and lactation, Dehydration in pregnancy and lactation
