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Success after IF
Why are we supposed to drink lots of water?
I know that sounds like a dumb question, but I'm trying to figure out how important it is. I have never been one of those people who drinks a lot during the day. I don't even get through one medium-sized SIGG bottle of water per day at work. I do drink more when I get home and have dinner, but not more than 20 oz. Is this something I really need to step up and take seriously, or is it okay to just keep drinking how I normally drink?
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Re: Why are we supposed to drink lots of water?
I don't know the technical answer to *why* it's important, but my ob asks me at every single appointment if I'm drinking enough water. In fact, my peri asks about it, too. I know generally that water hydrates your cells and makes you healthy. And I also know that, if you start to feel Braxton Hicks, you're supposed to drink water to ease them. Hopefully someone smarter than me can answer the technical aspect.
I try to drink about 120 oz of water a day, per my ob. I would say to step it up, at least to 8 10 oz glasses a day. But maybe that's just because my docs seem to emphasize its importance so much.
C&P from Dr. Google, as I could not remember how often amniotic fluid replenishes itself
WATER AND PREGNANCY
While it is always a good idea to keep the body hydrated, there are certain times when changes in the body call for more water. One of these times is during pregnancy. Water can be the answer to alleviating many side effects of pregnancy, aid in preparing the body for these physiological changes, and just overall make mommy and baby healthier.
Water is an important part of pregnancy. The fluid acts as the body's transportation system, and carries nutrients through the blood to the baby. Also, flushing out the system and diluting urine with water prevents urinary tract infections, which are common in pregnancy.
Perhaps the biggest reason to drink water however is to keep the body hydrated. Dehydration in pregnant women can be very serious. Hormones (gotta love those hormones!) change the way women store water during pregnancy, so they begin to retain water, and drinking plenty of water combats that. Much of that water is used in the amniotic sack. Amniotic fluid alone needs to replenish itself every hour by using roughly a cup of water stored in the body. Replacing that water will insure the fetus is protected within the womb.
Since the blood volume increases to nearly double by the eighth month of pregnancy, it is necessary to drink even more water to compensate. Thicker blood can lead to hypertension and other cardiovascular problems, as discussed on other areas of this Website.
Because dehydration can cause contractions, lack of water in the third trimester can also cause premature labor. Premature labor can have many health risks to the newborn baby. However, some cases of premature labor have been stopped just by giving the mother enough water to re-hydrate her body.
Pregnant women should be sure to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day, which is in addition to the normal intake of other recommended foods. The benefits of drinking water during pregnancy include healthier skin, less acne, washing away of unnecessary sodium, less chance for pre-term labor or miscarriage and better bowel movements. Drinking water can, believe it or not, also help prevent that nausea known as morning sickness, as doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluid between meals.
Drinking water for health benefits of the mother and baby are evident. Doctors in fact ask mothers to steer clear of diuretics like caffeine and alcohol, so water is the obvious alternative for fluid intake. Also, since doctors often 'prescribe' exercise in pregnant women, fluids will be lost through perspiration. As we know, pregnant or not, those fluids also need to be replaced.
Man. It sounds like I need to step it up. That was helpful; thanks.
Where am I supposed to get room for all this water and food?! My stomach feels very compressed already. Ay yi yi.
I am sure someone answered you, but you need extra water (more than 8 cups) because you double your blood volume and in fact all the fluid on your body. You need to be well hydrated to prevent cramps and headaches and it helps replenish your amniotic fluids.
yes, you need to drink more! It is essential to your health, and good for the baby!
dehydration can = early contractions
dehydration can = kidney stones (which i had while pg - the worst thing in the world!)
dehydration can make blood pressure higher, etc.
esp with twins...
drink TONS of water!!!
Oh, I'll second the early labor due to dehydration bit. When I went into labor it was during one of our heat spells. Even though it was the week-end I was due, and very diligent about my water intake, it was obvious many of the women there weren't. There were 18 babies born that week-end, and rooms were over-booked. Nurses pretty much blamed lack of water intake.
You want your babies as full term as possible, so please, please, please drink your water. Just carry a bottle of water around with you and take a sip every once in a while. It becomes second nature after awhile, and your skin will also thank you
Also if you plan to BF, water is very important for milk production. If you're dehydrated you'll see a huge dip in production.
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