Is Dehydration During Pregnancy Common?

You know that feeling when you have stayed out in the sun for too long and feeling drained or parched? Well, that is caused because your body is losing water too quickly. Replenishing the fluids is the only way for you to feel better again. During pregnancy also, you will be advised to stay hydrated. That too, more than the usual. Water is essential during pregnancy as it is used by the placenta to transport nutrients to your baby, by the amniotic sac, and for the blood supply to remain uninterrupted. However, in the absence of enough fluids and nutrients, you may experience severe dehydration which can harm the baby.

Dehydration during pregnancy can result in

• Congenital disabilities in the baby

• Preterm labour

• UTI

• Fatigue

• Muscle cramps

• Dizzy spells

• Low amniotic fluid

Causes of dehydration in pregnant women are

• Excessive exercising or sweating

• Severe morning sickness

• Low fluid intake

• Prolonged sun exposure

• Diarrhoea

How to tell if you are dehydrated?

• Your mouth feels dry

• You feel extremely thirsty

• Your lips appear chapped

• You feel exhausted and sleepy

• Your skin appears dry and less elastic

• Your urine is a dark colour

• You have constipation, or even haemorrhoids

• You feel dizzy or lightheaded

• Your heart beats faster

• Your blood pressure is low

• You experience confusion

Here’s how you can prevent dehydration during pregnancy

1. Drink 8-12 glasses of water every day.

2. Incorporate fruits and vegetables with high water content into your diet, e.g., watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes, spinach, etc.

3. If you have morning sickness, try to drink fluids when you aren't feeling nauseous.

4. In case you have indigestion, then drink fluids between your meals and not during.

5. Avoid caffeine in any form.

6. You can also add fresh fruit juices, milk, soup, etc., to help you increase your water intake.

7. Avoid excessively hot or humid climate. If going out in the sun is unavoidable, then carry a bottle of water or juice with you. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible.

8. If you are working out, avoid doing too many strenuous exercises and make sure to replenish the lost electrolytes in your body. Take regular breaks.

9. If you have extreme morning sickness or diarrhoea, then consult your doctor regarding prescription medicines.

10. Make drinking water a habit.

Do note that dehydration, if ignored, can cause severe complications for you and your baby. If you feel dizziness, confusion or extreme fatigue, then rush to the hospital immediately.

Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan is a freelance content writer by her profession and has over 6 years of experience into blogging and article writing. Over the years, she has gained popularity as a content creator who specialises on topics such as parenting, pregnancy and new-born childcare. However, her forte is on writing articles on umbilical cord banking, stem cells preservation, stem cell therapy and research.