Consuming enough water is very important to help you and your baby meet each of your needs for growth and health. Water will help absorb vitamins that are key to healthy development of your baby. Additional fluids will also help with any constipation that you may be experiencing, and it helps your body prepare for labor. In addition, dehydration can cause unwanted symptoms such as contractions, so it is wise to stay well-hydrated to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. You should expect to increase your water intake during pregnancy. As a general rule, you should consume at least 300ml of additional fluid during late pregnancy. In total, this means you should drink approximately 12 cups of water per day.
Some other tips:
- Drink water throughout the day, not all at once.
- Keep in mind if you are exercising, you should consume even more!
- You want your urine to be pale yellow or almost clear. If it is darker than this, drink more!
- Keep in mind carbonated beverages such as soft drinks can actually make you more dehydrated. Water is best!
References:
Montgomery KS. Nutrition Column An Update on Water Needs during Pregnancy and Beyond. J Perinat Educ. 2002;11(3):40–42. doi:10.1624/105812402X88830
Rigaud M, Sevalho Corçao C, Perrier ET, Boesen-Mariani S. Assessing a tool for self-monitoring hydration using urine color in pregnant and breastfeeding women: A cross-sectional, online survey. Ann Nutr Metab. 2017;70 Suppl 1:23-29. doi:10.1159/000463000
García-Arroyo FE, Cristóbal M, Arellano-Buendía AS, et al. Rehydration with soft drink-like beverages exacerbates dehydration and worsens dehydration-associated renal injury. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2016;311(1):R57-65. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00354.2015
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