How To Handle Dehydration During Pregnancy?

Dehydration is a condition in which the body loses water faster than it is replenished. Dehydration can create issues to anyone regardless of age and gender. However, when dehydration takes place during pregnancy, it needs special care and attention. This is because water takes on a substantial part in the healthy fetal growth and advancement of the pregnancy.

Top 7 Causes of Dehydration During Pregnancy

Getting dehydrated is quite easy during pregnancy. This is because there is increased utilization of water by the body in this period. Following are some causes that trigger dehydration during pregnancy:

1. Increased Blood Volume

The blood volume increases by 50% during the pregnancy. Retaining fluid will therefore be more difficult and if sufficient replacement is not taking place, it increases the risk of dehydration during pregnancy.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

These two are companions of pregnancy, especially during the first trimester and can result in dehydration. This is mainly because if the mother is experiencing nausea or is continuously vomiting she will not be able to retain anything and may also develop aversion to food as well as any kind of fluid intake, resulting in dehydration.

3. Amniotic Fluid Formation

During the initial months of pregnancy, for the formation of amniotic fluid, more water is utilized and if water intake is not proper, it may lead to dehydration.

4. Reduced Intake of Fluid

Unlike the normal woman who requires up to eight glasses of water per day, a pregnant woman requires a minimum of 12 glasses per day. If water intake is not sufficient, there are increased chances of dehydration.

[Read : How Much Water Should I Drink During Pregnancy?]

5. Excessive Sweating

Sweating excessively is common during the pregnancy. This results in getting rid of more water from the body. But if proper replenishment of water does not happen then it results in dehydration.

6. Weather

Hot weather and increased humidity causes excessive sweating and can lead to dehydration.

7. Air Conditioning

Spending a great deal of time in an air-conditioned room (at home or workplace) increases the risk of dehydration, as less moisture in the air increases the water loss from the lungs. This when clubbed with inadequate hydration triggers dehydration.

Symptoms of Dehydration During Pregnancy

During pregnancy watch out for the following signs which indicate dehydration:

Feeling extremely thirsty is the primary indication of dehydration
Palpitation
Dehydration triggers Braxton hick’s contractions. If you are experiencing this before the middle of the third trimester, it indicates dehydration
Feeling dizzy while bending over indicates the fall in pressure due to dehydration
Dry mouth and nose
Chapped lips
Urine with strong odor and dark yellowish color
Constipation may also indicate dehydration
Decrease in the frequency of urination
Persisting headache
Skin losing elasticity
Urinary tract infections

Risks of Dehydration During First Trimester of Pregnancy

During the first trimester of pregnancy, dehydration can lead to:

1. Severe Nausea and Dizziness

Just like morning sickness leads to dehydration, in the same way dehydration causes nausea. You may not able to drink anything when you are nauseous. This leads to more dehydration followed by severe nausea. It becomes a vicious cycle. More often, the mother has to be admitted to the clinic for IV fluids.

2. Reduced Level of Amniotic Fluid

As during the initial months of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid formation is based on the fluid intake of the mother. If the mother experiences dehydration during this time, sufficient amniotic fluid is not produced. As a result the baby will stick to the uterine wall rather than float in the amniotic fluid sac. This increases the chances of physical deformation of the limbs of the baby.

[Read : Low Amniotic Fluid (Oligohydramnios) During Pregnancy]

3. Effects the Placental Formation

The effects of dehydration on the electrolytes may affect the placental formation. This, in turn, increases the chances of fetal neural tube defects.

Risks of Dehydration During Second and Third Trimester of Pregnancy

During the second and third trimester dehydration leads to:

1. Premature Labor

Dehydration is one of the significant cause of uterine contraction. This is because dehydration results in the reduction of the blood volume. When the volume of the blood decreases, the level of oxy toxin, the hormone responsible for the uterine contraction, increases. This increases the chances of preterm labor.

2. Increased Muscle Cramps

One of the uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy is muscle cramps. These become severe due to the rise in the body temperature caused by dehydration.

3. Fatigue

Already the pregnant women are susceptible to fatigue. Dehydration can make the pregnant woman to feel more fatigued.

4. Increases the Chances of UTI

Dehydration increases the chances of other pregnancy-related issues like urinary tract infection, which in turn triggers kidney infection and early labor.

4 Effective Steps to Prevent Dehydration During Pregnancy

It is important to take necessary steps to prevent dehydration during pregnancy:

1. Drink Lots of Water

Drink plenty of water. Remember to sip water throughout the day rather than drinking big quantities at close intervals. If you find drinking plain water hard, you can add a lemon to flavor the water and make it more refreshing.

2. Drink Juices and Soups

Including fruit juices, vegetable juices, soy milk and soups in the diet increases the fluid intake and also satisfies the nutritional requirements during pregnancy.

3. Avoid Caffeine

Avoid the intake of caffeine products and carbonated drinks, as it increases the frequency of urinating leading to dehydration.

[Read : Is it Safe to Take Caffeine During Pregnancy?]

4.Avoid Strenuous Activities

Going out on warm humid days, performing strenuous exercises etc. results in excessive sweating and dehydration.