Water… what’s really in it

Must a pregnant woman drink more water than normal? What if she does not? Brenda Wangwe drips a few tips.

Well, everybody needs to take water 8-12 glasses of water every day. However, there are times this intake is more crucial—like when one is expectant. During pregnancy, the body goes through many changes, which rely on water and other recommended foods.

The most basic reason for taking water is to keep the body hydrated-which is very important. Hormones change the way women store water when they become expectant. They begin to retain water. This is mainly for the amniotic fluid, which usually replenishes itself, hourly, by using about a cup of water stored in the body, to ensure the fetus is protected within the womb. Drinking plenty of water, interestingly, fights unhealthy water retention.

Water is the body’s transportation system. Being the biggest part of blood, it ferries nutrients to the baby.
Water also flushes your system clean. Taking your eight plus glasses of water per day makes your urine dilute preventing urinary tract infections, which are common in pregnancy.

The blood volume rises to twice its original amount by the eighth month of pregnancy. That tells us why we cannot gamble with the required water intake, which helps avoid thick concentrated blood that can lead to hypertension and other cardiovascular problems.

Dehydration is also said to trigger contractions. Therefore, if the body happens to be dehydrated in the third trimester, premature labor can happen – putting the baby at risk. Something to note is that some cases of premature labor have been stopped by simply giving the mother enough water to re-hydrate her body.

Other benefits include healthier skin with less acne, washing away of unnecessary sodium, and better bowel movements.

Water is also known to help prevent morning sickness. This is why doctors recommend taking plenty of fluid between meals.

Again, since exercise is prescribed for pregnant women, fluids are lost through perspiration during the workouts. These lost fluids need to be replaced—which takes us back to the importance of drinking water.

Common water contaminants

As much as we need to be keener about our water intake, it is important to know that taking in contaminated water could have disturbing effects.

» Research shows that chlorinated tap water can cause miscarriages among other complications during pregnancy.

» Nitrate has been associated with the blue-baby syndrome.

* Lead metals in water can cause slow mental development.

» Pharmaceutical drugs found In tap water can affect the growth and development of the fetus.

» Heavy industrial and environmental pollution that sometimes makes its way into tap water can have harmful bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals, which expose you to health conditions such as liver damage and even cancers.

» Even some brands of bottled water have been found to be highly contaminated. This is in addition to the plastic chemical leaking from the bottle, as research has it.

» A good water filter in your home seems to be the best way to ensure the quality and safety of your drinking water.

Guides and facts

1. A pregnant woman needs between 8-12 glasses of water a day. Take more if the weather is hot or if you have been exercising.

2. Water helps in better functioning of your kidney and liver, and your baby’s too.

3. It flushes waste from your system cells.

4. Don’t just drink water because you are thirsty. Many times, we don’t experience thirst until dehydration has already begun. It’s better to take water ahead of thirst.

5. Water helps with your body’s expansion.

6. You need water to reduce fatigue and avoid constipation, and miscarriages.

7. Water cannot be substituted by sodas or other caffeinated beverages. These actually make your body dehydrate faster. The less you drink of these while pregnant, the better.

8. Increasing your water consumption will help fight off fatigue. So the next time you feel helplessly tired, take two glasses of water—instead of simply looking for a place to put your head down.

9. Water is good for better breast milk production.

END: PG30/36-37