8-12 Glasses of Water a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!

Hey Bumpy Babes! Are you making sure you're drinking at least 8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) of water a day? We're always told to make sure we get our daily water intake but now that you're expecting, has your doctor been stressing this more? Drinking water is already vital for us as we go about our daily living but it's so much more important during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, not getting the proper amount of water is especially worrisome as this can lead to dehydration. Dehydration is the result of your body losing water faster than you are taking it in. Your body is using water in greater amounts during your pregnancy. If you don’t replace the lost fluids, you become dehydrated and this is something we want to make sure we avoid at all costs! Water is used to form the placenta, which is what your growing baby relies on to receive nutrients. It’s also used in the amniotic sac. Dehydration during pregnancy can result in very serious complications, including:

• neural tube defects

• low amniotic fluid

• premature labor

• poor production of breast milk

• birth defects

If you already drink water, are you drinking enough? How do you know if you're dehydrated? Let's name a few common mild to moderate signs that can be quickly remedied by increasing your water intake:

• maternal overheating

• dark yellow urine

• dry, sticky mouth

• sleepiness

• feeling thirsty

• decreased need to urinate

• headache

• constipation

• dizziness

• Braxton Hicks contractions

• cramping

Severe dehydration, however, needs immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to call your doctor right away:

• extreme thirst

• excessively dry mouth, skin, and mucous membranes

• irritability and confusion

• little or no urine

• very dark urine

• sunken eyes

• rapid heartbeat and breathing

• low blood pressure

Let's give you and baby the fluids you need during pregnancy. Remember, 8-12 glasses of water a day keeps the doctor away!