Drinking Water when Pregnant
Drinking water is important for everyone, and that's even more true for pregnant women. There are more reasons than ever for drinking water when pregnant, as staying well hydrated ensures the health of both the mother and the child.
Increased Water Loss
There's an increased need for drinking water when pregnant, as expectant mothers tend to lose more water during this time. The average adult needs approximately two litres of water every day under normal circumstances. When factoring in the additional weight a pregnant women carries along with her already increased body temperature, this means that hydration is even more important. Drinking extra water benefits a pregnant woman and her fetus a great deal by ensuring dehydration does not set in.
Helps Alleviate Symptoms
One of the little-known water benefits is the fact that it can help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with pregnancy. Drinking water when pregnant can actually help reduce morning sickness, indigestion, and heartburn. It can also help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections which are common among pregnant women. For best results, water should be consumed at regular intervals throughout the day.
Body is Mostly Water
Drinking water when pregnant is essential, since most of the body consists of this substance. The blood largely consists of water, and blood is responsible for carrying essential proteins and nutrients to the developing fetus. Waste products are also eliminated when they are carried through the bloodstream to the mother's excretory system. Most body tissues also consist of H2O, which means water benefits a developing fetus by ensuring its skin and organs form properly while in the womb.
How to Drink
One way to get this additional fluid is to start each day off with a full glass of water. It's also recommended that pregnant women drink about a half glass of water each time they urinate in order to replace fluids that are lost. Those who have difficulty consuming the required amount of water can eat foods such as watermelon and cucumber in order to help increase their intake.
Water benefits everyone, and that includes the unborn. To help you stay on top of your water intake, Water Coolers Direct offers a free drink alarm app which can be downloaded onto your iPhone/iPad and Windows Desktop.