Dehydration during Pregnancy

Dehydration during pregnancy usually happens in the first trimester, while the expecting mother is dealing with morning sickness. Due to dehydration, she experiences nausea, vomiting and is unable to keep much of anything she eats, including water. This deprives her body of essential nutrients, fluids and vitamins, that she needs in order to stay healthy and keep the baby hydrated. One of the biggest fear of dehydration is that it reduces the amount of amniotic fluid in the body which causes the baby to lay against the uterus instead of floating in the amniotic fluid. Hence, further leading to deformities of the baby's arms, legs and feet. During the second and third trimester, it can also cause premature labor as the blood volume decreases and the level of oxytocin (the hormone responsible for contractions) increases. Dehydration can raise the body temperature that can lead to further complications like heat exhaustion, muscle cramping, or other heat-related illnesses.

Symptoms of Dehydration

The symptoms of dehydration when pregnant are as follow:

• Thirst is the first sign which should not be ignored. A expecting mother should maintain a schedule of having at least one glass of water per hour.
• Due to low blood pressure, she may experience severe headaches like migraines, dizziness, lightheadedness or vertigo, especially while standing up, bending over, or kneeling.
• Inability to urinate or dark yellow urine with a strong odor due to prenatal vitamins
• Dry mouth, nose and chapped lips
• Weakness, nausea and vomiting
• Skin gets dry and loses its elasticity

Prevention of Dehydration

The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink enough water. A expecting mother should have at least 8 cups of water for herself and 24 cups of water a day for the baby, as the amniotic fluid is replaced at the rate of approximately 1 cup per hour. The water intake should be even more if she is out in the sun, traveling or exercising. She can also try having water with a splash of lemon, lime, cranberry or some other flavoring. The intake of caffeine, sodas or processed fruit juices should be avoided as they don't rehydrate but act as a diuretic substance.

Remedies for Dehydration

As we know, the most beneficial way to treat dehydration is to drink water, but if dehydration is caused by nausea, it is always recommended to talk to an obstetrician/gynecologist (ob/gyn) about the possible medications to combat the symptoms. If the dizziness, headaches, weakness or fatigue are severe, it becomes important to rehydrate the IV fluids in the body as early and safely as possible. Before drinking any electrolyte solutions (like Infalyte or Pedialyte) or sports drinks, the expecting mother should always consult her ob/gyn for the necessary pros and cons of the drink.

Dehydration is considered to be the most prominent cause of fatigue in pregnant moms. They are more vulnerable to fatigue since their energy levels tend to be low. Hence, keeping them hydrated is essential for a healthy and stress-free pregnancy.