Staying hydrated is essential for everyone, but it is especially critical if you are expecting a baby. While you may like to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom, adequate liquid intake is important as it supports a safe and healthy pregnancy. Here is everything you should know about the effects of dehydration during pregnancy, how to identify dehydration, and how to prevent it.
The first and the most common symptom of dehydration is feeling thirsty. Expectant mothers who feel thirsty after spending time in heat, sweating or going for a long duration without fluids are more prone to dehydration. The symptoms of dehydration during pregnancy to look out for include:
● Dry, chapped lips
● Dry mouth or throat
● Loss of skin elasticity
● Sunken or thin skin
● Dark-coloured urine
● Urinating less frequently
● No sweat, even in hot conditions
● Tiredness
● Exhaustion
● Light headedness
● Constipation, haemorrhoids and hard stools
● A racing heart
● Confusion and dizziness
● Changes in baby’s movement and pattern
● Low blood pressure, which results in dizziness or fainting
Some women also have Braxton Hicks contractions or false labour pain when dehydrated. When the dehydration is severe, the feeling of thirst is no longer there. When left unresolved, it can harm the baby or lead to shock and organ failure in the mother and the baby.
Dehydration is caused by the body losing more fluids than you take in. This results in the body being unable to perform its normal functions. If you don’t replace the fluids, then it becomes dehydrated. It becomes especially worrisome during pregnancy. Water is needed for placenta formation. The placenta is a tissue where nutrients and oxygen are passed to the baby. Water is also necessary for the amniotic sac. The causes of dehydration generally fall into two categories.
There are many recommendations for how much water to drink, but the needs vary. Pregnancy puts more demands on a woman’s body, and they need to drink more than before. Especially if the woman is active or lives where she sweats more, more water will be required. If they do not adjust the quantity of water appropriately, they become dehydrated. Additionally, people with Bulimia(eating disorders) are more vulnerable to dehydration. If the cause of dehydration is not drinking enough water, it can be fixed easily by consuming more water.
The other cause of dehydration is when the body cannot absorb water. If you have diarrhoea or vomiting, the body finds it more difficult to absorb water. Vomiting and nausea are common during pregnancy, and those with hyperemesis gravidarum have intense vomiting, which leads to dehydration and weight loss. Other health issues that can cause dehydration include:
● Intestinal disorders like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease that makes it hard to absorb nutrients
● Kidney failure
● Rare metabolic disorders
Your body uses huge amounts of water during pregnancy, and dehydration becomes a matter of concern if you don’t replace the lost fluids. If you have morning sickness and find it hard to keep food down, dehydration is likely. Additionally, vomiting can lead to electrolytes, fluids, and stomach acid loss. As the pregnancy progresses, overheating is also an issue, which is another reason for dehydration.
Mild dehydration is not dangerous during pregnancy if you take in enough fluids quickly. However, if you do not fix the issue in the initial stages of dehydration, it can lead to low amniotic fluid levels and affect the baby’s development. It can also lead to preterm delivery, neural tube defects, congenital defects, and breast milk production. Dehydration can lead to nutritional deficiencies and is vital for maternal health and the developing baby.
Prevention of dehydration is not difficult, and the best way to stay hydrated is to drink plenty of water daily. If you have indigestion, try to take fluids between meals. If morning sickness makes you vomit, drink fluids when you are not feeling nauseated. Avoid caffeine, as that increases your urge to urinate. Water is great, but you can consume other fluids like soup, fruit juices, milk, etc. Consider taking a water bottle when you go out. If you exercise or spend too much time outdoors, increase your fluid intake, especially in hot or humid places that cause overheating.
Prenatal care plays a critical part in preventing dehydration caused by underlying health conditions like hyperemesis gravidarum and metabolic disorders. Speak to a doctor to prevent these conditions from leading to dehydration or, if you have a history of dehydration, to learn how to prevent it.
Self-diagnosis if the dehydration during pregnancy is severe or mild is difficult. If consuming electrolytes or water does not improve the symptoms, call your health care provider. You should go to a hospital for this condition when:
● You feel that the movement pattern of the baby has changed
● You begin to leak or bleed fluid
● Have diarrhoea or vomiting for more than 12 hours
● Have stopped urinating or sweating despite consuming enough fluids
● Experience contractions that seem like premature labour
● Have a serious medical condition like kidney failure
● Feel dizziness or confusion
● Faint or have a seizure
Those with underlying medical conditions or hyperemesis gravidarum and suspect that the symptoms make for a medical emergency should seek immediate care. Dehydration treatment includes giving fluids through IV (intravenous).Some women may also need electrolytes like magnesium and sodium to absorb liquids properly. Sometimes, they may need to be hospitalised for a few days for monitoring.
When you are pregnant, you can become dehydrated, and that puts you at risk. It is a temporary problem that is corrected by taking more fluids. However, you should take it seriously and fix it as quickly as possible, as it can cause many problems for you and the baby. Make it a habit to drink lots of water and keep track of how much you are consuming. It is better to over react than ignore it, as it can be life-threatening to the fet us. Always seek emergency care when in doubt if you are unsure if the symptoms are serious. Ensure that you take the appropriate amount of fluids every day to fulfil the needs of your body and that of the developing baby.
Severe dehydration can cause low amniotic fluid, swelling, reduced baby growth, preterm labour and congenital disability.
To increase your fluid intake, you can choose to drink other fluids, such as milk, natural fresh fruit juices, soups, herbal teas, and infused water.
