Dehydration During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms & Prevention

If you're expecting a baby and have already had your first doctor’s visit, there is a high chance that you’ve been asked to take enough fluids and stay hydrated. While the advice may seem simple, the reason behind it is not. Dehydration during pregnancy is not only harmful for you but the baby as well and it could even lead to serious complications. Reading this blog will help you understand more about the causes and signs of dehydration during pregnancy and how you can prevent it. 

Ever since I conceived, I’ve been advised by my doctor, and reminded by just about everyone around me, to stay hydrated. If you are wondering, I am currently in my 9th week and my baby is still about the size of a grape. Initially, I kept wondering, ‘How much water does this tiny one really need?’ but gradually I came to realize that it is way more than I had perceived. Now, the question is, how to know if I am taking enough fluids or not?  If you can relate to my situation, this blog is just for you. 

Let’s start with some basic questions,

Why Is Hydration During Pregnancy Important?

Although hydration is important for everyone, it is even more crucial when you step into that 9-month-long journey. During pregnancy, your body undergoes a lot of changes, and although you may not realize it, these start from Day 1. 

While some of these changes are evident like weight gain, acne, stretch marks, etc, others are happening quietly inside your body. All these changes require you to change your lifestyle, adopt healthy eating habits and stay even more committed to your hydration goals. 

Here are some reasons why staying hydrated during pregnancy is important:

1. Maintaining Optimal Amniotic Fluid Levels

Hydration plays a key role in regulating your amniotic fluid levels. This clear liquid serves as a protective cushion for the baby, surrounding it throughout the pregnancy. 

According to an article on Maternal Hydration by NIH, “Simple maternal hydration appears to increase amniotic fluid volume and may be beneficial in the management of oligohydramnios and prevention of oligohydramnios during labor.”

(Oligohydramnios refers to a drop in amniotic fluid volume)

2. Supporting Increase in Blood Volume 

During pregnancy, the maternal blood volume increases significantly to support the baby and to prepare the body for blood loss during childbirth. Proper hydration helps to support this increase in blood volume. 

An article on Normal hematological changes during pregnancy and the puerperium, published by the Cambridge University Press suggests that during pregnancy, “the total blood volume increases by about 1.5 liters, mainly to supply the demands of the new vascular bed and to compensate for blood loss occurring at delivery”

3. Regulating Body Temperature

Feeling a little too hot since you’ve conceived? You are not alone. There is an increase in body temperature during pregnancy due to various reasons like hormonal fluctuations, increased blood volume, weight gain, and increased metabolism. Staying hydrated helps ensure that your body doesn’t overheat which can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby.

According to an article on Potential Fetal Health Effects of Hot Temperatures, “Several epidemiological studies over the past five years have reported associations between high temperatures and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birth weight (LBW), as well as congenital heart defects”

4. Managing Pregnancy Symptoms

Symptoms like edema, fatigue, and urinary tract infection are common during pregnancy and can cause a lot of discomfort. Taking fluids and keeping yourself hydrated will help to manage these to a great extent.

Nearly 11 to 38 percent of women experience constipation during pregnancy.  Staying hydrated helps to ensure smooth digestion which is great for you if you are struggling with the problem too. If left untreated, constipation can even lead to hemorrhoids

5. Transportation Of Nutrients

Proper hydration is crucial for supporting the transport of essential nutrients present in your blood to your baby, which is critical for its growth and development. Not only this, staying hydrated also aids in the excretion of wastes produced by you as well as the baby.

How Much Water Should I Drink During Pregnancy?

This is something I asked my gynecologist during my second visit since everyone had their own opinions and suggestions to offer. In fact, someone even told me that I needed to take at least 5 liters of water every day. Eventually, I decided to ask it straight to my gyne. 

She told me that women should drink 8 to 12 cups of water during pregnancy, on a daily basis. This is somewhere around 2.3 to 2.8 liters. 

While drinking water can rarely go bad it is always advisable to talk to your doctor if you are planning to increase your water intake significantly. 

Signs Of Dehydration During Pregnancy

If your body is not getting enough fluids during pregnancy, you will start seeing signs. These include:

1. You start feeling thirsty too often. This is basic and it’s the same for everyone, pregnant or not. So if you feel that dryness in your throat and an urge to drink something every now and then, chances are you are not hydrating your body enough.

2. Your lips are always chapped and your skin is cracked & dry. This is another basic sign. It happens because whatever little amount of water you take is directed toward the vital organs leaving no hydration for your lips and skin 

3. Your urine output will decrease if you are not taking enough fluids. You will also notice that your urine has a darker colour and stronger smell. Some women also develop urinary tract infections. 

4. You might feel dizzy and lightheaded due to the drop in your blood pressure levels which is quite likely to happen if you are not taking enough fluids. This generally happens when you are standing or if you bend over. 

5. You tend to have persistent or frequent headaches. This happens because when you are dehydrated, your brain can actually contract temporarily, exerting additional pressure on the meninges. This can also lead to loss of balance and confusion.  

6. You tend to feel more constipated and your bowel movements are not smooth. This happens because your body absorbs the moisture from the stools to make up for the fluid loss and as such the stools are harder. This also increases the likelihood of piles and hemorrhoids.

What Are The Complications Of Dehydration During Pregnancy?

Dehydration during pregnancy has been associated with a number of serious complications affecting both the mom and the baby. It can cause the amniotic fluid levels to drop which not only hinders the growth and development of the baby but can also increase the risks of preterm labour. An article published in 2021 suggests that the weight, height, head circumference, and chest circumference of babies are lower in the case of dehydrated mothers. Dehydration can also impact the transportation of vital nutrients to the fetus and decrease breast milk production.

What Causes Dehydration During Pregnancy?

The leading cause of dehydration during pregnancy is not taking enough fluids to match your body’s growing needs, which may vary based on your trimester, your overall health, your body weight, and the climate of the place where you live. But, if you think it’s just because of this, here’s a list of other common causes of dehydration during pregnancy that you should know about. 

1. Morning Sickness: 

It usually starts around the 6th week of your pregnancy and may continue up to the 12th to 16th week. Also, don't be misguided by that name because some women continue experiencing the symptoms throughout the day and not just during the morning. I can tell because I am one of them. 

Nausea and vomiting happen to be one of the most common symptoms of morning sickness. A study was conducted in which 363 women were asked to maintain a track of their daily symptoms. It was later found that nearly 28 percent of the women experienced just nausea and 52 percent experienced nausea and vomiting. These can make your body lose fluids and disrupt your electrolyte balance. 

2. Indigestion: 

The hormonal changes that take place in your body after you conceive can also accelerate your digestive system, making you more susceptible to diarrhea. This can make your body lose more fluids, leading to dehydration. 

Although diarrhea during pregnancy is not usually a cause of concern, it is advisable to bring this to your doctor’s notice as sometimes it could also be due to an underlying medical condition or infection that requires immediate management. You can also get in touch with Parentune Experts at ‘Ask Doctor’ where you can get answers to all your queries 24x7. 

3. Extreme Weather & Humidity:

Summers are here and if you live in areas with high humidity and extreme weather conditions you are likely to sweat more. This means your body is losing fluids at a faster pace, naturally increasing the risks of dehydration. 

It is also important to note that being pregnant increases your risks of getting a heat stroke or having heat exhaustion. So, if you are living in such areas it is advisable to avoid going out in peak sun hours. 

Tips To Stay Hydrated During Pregnancy 

If you are looking for some tips to stay hydrated during pregnancy, here are some that are working great for me:

1. Keep a water bottle handy at all times, whether you are going out for a walk, chilling on a sofa, or lying in bed. 

2. Plain water may seem too boring at times but make sure you choose fluids that contain no added sugars, no harmful calories and no caffeine. Homemade fresh fruit juice, buttermilk, and lemonade are some great options. 

3. Consume foods that help to keep you hydrated such as watermelon, cucumber, berries, oranges, and curd. 

4. Take coconut water everyday. It will not only help to keep you hydrated but also comes with numerous benefits for the mom and the baby.

5. Set regular reminders to monitor your water intake. You can keep an alarm or download an app on your phone that will help you with it. 

FAQs

Q1- How much water should I drink during pregnancy?

A1- You should drink 8 to 12 cups of water on a daily basis during pregnancy.

Q2- Can dehydration cause complications during labour and delivery?

A2- Yes, dehydration can lead to labour and delivery-related complications like early contractions and preterm labour.

Q3- Can I drink coconut water during pregnancy?

A3- Yes, you can drink coconut water during pregnancy in moderation. It is good for you as well as your baby as it helps to keep you hydrated and provides you with essential nutrients.