Taking on enough fluids is crucial for healthy body function and becomes even more important during pregnancy to ensure that your body is equipped for the additional functions it needs to keep systems running for both parent and child.
In order to prevent dehydration while pregnant, it is recommended that you drink ten 8-ounce glasses of water per day during pregnancy and increase this to thirteen glasses when breastfeeding; you should drink even more than this if you live in a hot climate or follow an active lifestyle.
What you need to know about dehydration while pregnant
Pregnancy can be extremely strenuous on the body with symptoms such as morning sickness, nausea, fatigue, weak bladder and sweating.
Some of the main causes of dehydration are sweating, going to the toilet and vomiting since all lead to a loss in water and electrolytes from the body, and, if consistent, can have adverse effects during pregnancy. After all, you are creating new life which requires healthy body function to take place - meaning you need lots of water and electrolytes!
Not drinking enough water during pregnancy can have negative effects for you and the baby and, in extreme cases, can lead to pregnancy complications, such as low amniotic fluid, insufficient breast milk production and premature labor. But how can you tell when you're dehydrated during pregnancy and take measures to prevent this?
Signs of dehydration in pregnancy
It’s not always easy to tell when you’re dehydrated, especially as your body is going through so many other changes at the same time. Some mild symptoms of dehydration to look out for during pregnancy include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Having a headache or feeling dizzy
- Suffering from constipation
- Sleepiness
- Having a dry mouth
- Urinating less frequently
Severe symptoms of dehydration during pregnancy may include:
- Low blood pressure
- Dark urine
- Rapid heart rate and breathing rate
- Feeling extremely thirsty
- Having dry skin
Should you experience any of these severe symptoms – and drinking water or an electrolyte drink does not see an improvement – you should seek medical attention.
How to keep hydrated during pregnancy
Remembering to stay hydrated throughout the day can be a challenge at the best of times, and that’s without the dreaded ‘baby brain’ that many pregnant women suffer with! We recommend keeping a water bottle on-hand at all times to help you remember and keep sipping throughout the day. Better yet, shake up your water with some SOS powder to benefit from added vital electrolytes and vitamins with 3x the hydration of water.
Our new range of daily electrolyte, vitamin and mineral drinks are the perfect solution to a hectic schedule, keeping you hydrated on-the-go without the need to mix up your bottle. Our RTD also makes a healthy addition to your diet during pregnancy with added Folic Acid to promote the development of a healthy foetus and reduce the risk of the baby developing neural tube defects.
SOS is medically formulated for swift and sustained hydration, perfect for everyday use and keeping you hydrated before, during and after pregnancy!
For your own peace of mind, and like you would with all new things when pregnant, feel free to check with your physician to see if SOS is suitable for you.