Approximately 60% of the adult human body, up to 90% in a 6-month-old baby. During pregnancy, the body’s need for water increases. Therefore, drinking plenty of water during pregnancy is very important for both the mother’s health and the baby’s health. Water, which causes significant damage to the body when it is not consumed enough not only during pregnancy but also in normal times, can cause many different problems when it is not taken in sufficient daily amounts during pregnancy.
Importance of Water Consumption during Pregnancy
The water in which the baby is in the womb is related to the water consumption of the expectant mother as well as the baby’s own dynamics. The amniotic fluid (the fluid the baby is in) is periodically replaced by water in the mother’s blood. The amniotic fluid that is replenished in this way is very valuable during the baby’s development. If the amniotic fluid is not sufficient, the baby may have slowness of movement and it may be difficult to protect the baby against some mechanical shocks.
In addition, during pregnancy, the expectant mother may face problems such as constipation, urinary tract infections or hemorrhoids. Consuming enough water softens the intestines and prevents constipation, which prevents the formation of hemorrhoids. In addition, edema problem, which is frequently experienced during pregnancy, can be prevented by drinking plenty of water.
Another importance of water consumption during pregnancy is that it helps the expectant mother to feel more lively and energetic. In addition to preventing problems such as dry skin, adequate water consumption helps to maintain the electrolyte balance in the blood of both the baby and the expectant mother.
How Much Water Should You Drink During Pregnancy?
To have a comfortable and healthy pregnancy, you should consume at least 8 – 10 glasses of water a day. If you have an active working life or continue to exercise during pregnancy, it will be healthier to increase water consumption above 8-10 glasses.
Recommendations for Water Consumption during Pregnancy
- Drink a glass of water before going to bed at night and keep a glass of water at your bedside. Start the day by drinking water as soon as you wake up in the morning and consume at least 1 glass of water at every meal.
- If you are someone who does not like to consume water or constantly forgets, color your water by putting different foods such as lemon slices, cucumber, cinnamon sticks in your water. This both makes water consumption more enjoyable and prevents you from forgetting.
- Keep post-it notes in certain corners of your home, for example on the refrigerator door, reminding you to drink water.
- When you think of junk food, try drinking water instead.
