Are You Drinking Enough Water?

by Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger

06 May 2007 06:54 PM

Go fill a glass of water before reading this blog. If you are pregnant, you've probably heard that drinking water is important during pregnancy. You may not know how much you need to drink or why it is important.

Pregnant women should drink between six and eight glasses of water each day. A glass is an eight ounce serving, so if you are drinking a twenty ounce bottle, that is equivalent to two and a half servings. If you exercise or engage in other light to moderate physical activity, you need to drink more water. The rule of thumb is one extra serving per hour of physical activity.

Water is important for several reasons. Drinking water can help prevent some of the common discomforts of pregnancy. When you drink plenty of water, you are less likely to get constipated. When you do experience constipation, drinking water can help it get better. As a result, water can help prevent hemorrhoids. If you do have them, drinking water will keep you regular and control flare ups.

Water helps keep you from becoming dehydrated. Dehydration is very dangerous for pregnant women. In some cases, dehydration can cause the uterus to contract. When this happens, the contractions can cause preterm labor.

Water is important for your growing baby too. Water keeps baby well hydrated. It also helps the body produce amniotic fluid. Since this fluid is continuously replaced by new fluid, this is important. In addition, water helps carry nutrients to your baby and carries waste away.

Be sure to drink your six to eight glasses every day. If you dislike water, you may be tempted to substitute other beverages for water. A serving or two of juice can count, but most of the intake should be water. Don't count tea, coffee or soda in your fluid count. These beverages are diuretics and actually have the opposite effect. If you dislike the taste of water add a bit of lemon, lime or try flavored water.

Related Articles:

Weaning off Caffeine

Why Soda Should be Avoided During Pregnancy

Let's Talk Pregnancy - Awesome, Healthy Drink Options

Learn more about Pattie Hughes

Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University.

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