Moms-to-be are now drinking for two. Here are some things you should know about drinking water during your pregnancy:
Water Helps Deliver the Essentials to the Fetus
When taking prenatal vitamins and eating healthy foods, have you ever wonder how they are absorbed and transferred through the body? Well, it all starts with water. Water helps the body absorb essentials nutrients into the cell and helps them transfer vitamins, minerals, and hormones throughout the body. The nutrient filled blood cells are the ones that reach the placenta and ultimately your baby. So staying hydrated helps keep your baby healthy.
Staying Hydrated Can Help Prevent Constipation and UTIs
While pregnant, you’re not just drinking and eating for two, you’re also excreting! This means there is more waste that needs to be removed from your system than ever before. Drinking water and staying hydrated helps dissolve these waste products in the body and flushes them out of your system. Water will help to move solid wastes more speedily down the digestive path. Not to mention it also helps dilute your urine, which keeps things flowing. Urine that resides in the bladder too long can be a breeding ground for UTI’s. Staying hydrated helps flush out the bladder and holds UTIs at bay.
Recommended water intake is higher during pregnancy.
As mentioned above, you are now drinking for two during your pregnancy. The Institute of Medicine suggests that pregnant women should drink 12-13 glasses (8 ounces) a day. Moms-to-be should try and space out their water drinking, keeping the sips steadily throughout the day. If you are having frequent trips to the bathroom and your urine appears clear, you are on the right track to drinking an adequate amount of water.
Water Isn’t the Only Way to Stay Hydrated
Water is one of the best sources to hydrate oneself, but there are other options. Today, many liquids can do the job. An 8oz glass of skim milk will yield just over 7oz of water for your daily intake. Many sparkling and flavored glasses of water do the trick too. Be sure to avoid drinks with added sugars and caffeine as these can work against hydrating you.
Also, keep in mind, that food also yields water. About 20% of your daily water intake comes from your food sources. Fruit and vegetable can pack a lot of water: One cup of watermelon or cantaloupe provides just under five ounces of water. Feeling sick? A cup of chicken soup can yield about six ounces of water.
If you are having trouble drinking the daily recommended amount of water, talk to your health specialist to help work out a viable plan to remedy it and get you and your baby fully hydrated.