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Dehydration During Pregnancy: What Are the Symptoms?

Dehydration During Pregnancy: What Are the Symptoms?

Pregnant women should be on the lookout for dehydration. When your body loses water more than what you are consuming, dehydration happens. It is crucial for women who are pregnant to remain properly hydrated.

You will require more water if you are pregnant because water is very crucial for the growth of your baby. For the placenta to develop normally, a sufficient amount water is required. The amniotic sac also needs water as your pregnancy progresses. Dehydration should, therefore, be prevented while you are pregnant.

Dehydration Signs and Symptoms When Pregnant

Although certain symptoms can be easily noticeable, others may not. The following dehydration symptoms mostly show up during dehydration:

  • Thirstiness - this is the first symptom and also the one that goes unnoticed. Thirstiness should not be ignored, but instead, be addressed by regularly drinking water with a minimum of one glass per hour.
  • Lightheadednessthis can happen when you are bending over, kneeling, or standing. This is caused by a fall in your blood pressure as a result of dehydration.
  • Headache - one of the common symptoms of dehydration, especially migraine. To ease your headache, take in plenty of water.

Other signs and symptoms include:

The Effects of Dehydration in Pregnant Women

There are two risks associated with dehydration during the first trimester of pregnancy:

  • Risks to the mother - Frequent morning sickness that is characterized by nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration during pregnancy.
    If you are pregnant and fails to prevent dehydration by drinking sufficient fluids, hospitalization may be needed where the fluids will be administered intravenously.
  • Risks to the baby - There is no sufficient supply of amniotic fluid if the fluids in the mother's body are not enough. This directly affects the baby’s development. If the amniotic fluid is not enough, the unborn baby lies contrary to the uterus instead of floating in the sac. Physical distortions of the feet and hands can result from this.

Dehydration can lead to premature births in the pregnancy’s second and third trimesters. It is the third most common triggering factor for the contraction of the uterus at the time of labor.

Premature Birth and Dehydration

Oxytocin, which is the hormone that enables labor contractions, rises when the volume of blood decreases during dehydration. Premature labor can occur because of this. However, this can be avoided by rehydrating the pregnant woman.

A rise in body temperature because of dehydration further leads to problems like muscle cramping and heat exhaustion. The breast milk's nutritional value can also be altered if the mother is frequently dehydrated.

Although dehydration is very common among pregnant women, it can be prevented by adhering to certain correct measures. The best remedy for dehydration is by drinking lots of water. A nausea-related dehydration should be treated with the help of a doctor.

How to Avoid Dehydration While Pregnant

To prevent dehydration, you should take in a lot of water with a minimum of eight glasses per day. To ensure that you and your unborn child stay well-hydrated, refrain from having drinks with caffeine since they can cause frequent urination; hence, causing dehydration.