Your entire body depends on water to survive, as every single cell, tissue, and organ you have needs it to work correctly.
Drinking water maintains your body temperature, removes waste, lubricates joints, and also maintains a general level of health.
As a mum-to-be, it is essential to be doubly sure that you're not only eating for two, but that you're hydrating for two.
During pregnancy, your body needs water to form amniotic fluid, produce extra blood volume, build new tissue, and carry nutrients to your little baby.
Water will also help your body to absorb essential nutrients into the cells; and transport vitamins and minerals to the placenta and, ultimately, to your baby.
Drinking fluids during pregnancy can be pure magic, as it will ease constipation and haemorrhoids, soften the skin, reduce edema and decrease the risk of urinary tract infections.
There are a number of symptoms of dehydration that you should always be aware of throughout your pregnancy, such as:
- Little or no urine
- Urine that is darker than usual
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness
- Extreme thirst
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheaded feeling
With all these facts in mind, we have come up with a list of handy ways you can stay hydrated during pregnancy:
1. Try juice, herbal tea and milk
We appreciate that there is only so much water a person can drink, and thankfully there are many other ways you can get glorious fluid into your body. Try drinking fruit juices, herbal teas and milk, as they are a great source of hydration when you're pregnant.
2. Add some cordial
Some people just don't really enjoy drinking water, and that is OK; but, unfortunately, you really, really need it. We suggest adding a few drops of a sugar-free cordial to water, making it way more delicious.
3. Reduce your caffeine intake
It is recommended that you should only consume 200 milligrams of caffeine per day while pregnant. However, caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it makes you pee more, so you may want to cut it out completely as it can increase dehydration.
4. Don't exercise too much
When we exercise, our body loses quite a bit of fluid through sweat. When you are pregnant, it is important not to over-exert yourself, for fear you will lose more water than you should. Keep your exercise routine gentle, and drink water throughout.
5. Keep an eye on your pee
This may sound gross, but you can tell a lot about your body by the colour of your pee. Sometimes, it can be difficult to know if you are dehydrated, so we suggest taking a look at the shade of your urine for an answer. If you are seeing dark colours, you need to drink more water. If you are properly hydrated, your urine should be almost clear with a hint of yellow.
6. Fill up a bottle in the morning
It is so much easier to drink water when it is right there in front of you. We suggest you fill up a bottle of water each morning, and sip on it throughout the day for maximum hydration.
7. Try snacking on watery fruits
Hydration is not all about drinking fluids, ladies. You can maintain your fluid intake with delicious fruits, such as watermelon. Try snacking on watery fruits throughout the day (pears, melon, oranges), for a lovely way to remain hydrated.
8. Popsicles are a life-saver
Popsicles are a gorgeous way to keep your fluid levels up, especially if you find yourself in a warmer climate. You can buy organic fruit ice pops in most supermarkets, but you could also make your own. So refreshing!
