 |
Drinking habits of a pregnant woman
Surely you have encountered the opinion that you need to drink 1.5-2 liters a day. But to be more precise,
the necessary amount of water is calculated according to the formula: 30 ml per 1 kg of weight. Scientific
publications do not indicate the optimal daily norm of water for pregnant women. Drinking regimen of each
woman is calculated on an individual basis.
Why is it so important to drink enough water during pregnancy?
Water is necessary for the work of all systems and organs. Since the mother increases the volume of circulating
blood due to the growth of the new organism, she needs additional fluid intake. In addition, the optimal drinking
regime prevents the appearance of hemorrhoids, bowel disorders and edema development. How much water is
needed future mom depends on what drinking regimen she adhered to before pregnancy.
Favorable functioning of the body is in direct dependence on water. The load on vital organs and systems during
pregnancy increases several times. Therefore, the importance of a properly selected drinking regimen of the future
mother can not be overestimated.
Water in pregnancy performs indispensable functions:
- Increases the volume of circulating blood. ODC by the third trimester increases by an average of 30-40%.
- Improves intestinal function. Deficiency of water in the body leads to digestive disorders such as constipation,
diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome.
- Increases the elasticity of connective tissue. This contributes to a smooth increase in the volume of the
abdominal cavity, where the baby develops. The pliable collagen fibers within the hip joints and pubic articulation
stretch easily and facilitate the birth of the baby.
- Supports metabolism. Thanks to the established metabolism is the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals,
and at the same time intensive removal of harmful products of decay from the body.
- Saturates amniotic fluid - the protective environment of the growing baby.
- Regulates the efficiency of blood flow in the system mother-placenta-fetus.
- Prevents blood clotting.
Prevents disruption of venous circulation. At the same time, excess fluid intake, as well as deficiency, leads to
unpleasant consequences in the form of edema, gestational arterial hypertension, loss of important vitamins and
minerals due to increased urination and accelerated digestion.
How much water should pregnant women drink?
Specialists can not come to a consensus on the daily norm of water in pregnancy. Therefore, to calculate the
amount of fluid intake per day, a combination of methods is proposed.
Initially rely on the formula: 35 ml of water per kilogram of weight of the pregnant woman.
After that, the daily norm is adjusted according to thirst. This means that the future mom is offered to drink water
every time she has a need for it. In everyday life, it is common for a person to ignore the feeling of thirst: after all,
we are always in a hurry somewhere or lazy to get to the kitchen and pour ourselves a glass. To avoid errors,
pregnant women should always have a bottle filled with water.
If a woman drinks "thirsty" amount of water, close to the amount calculated by the formula, it is taken as an
individual norm. If the amount of fluid consumed per day is significantly higher or lower than calculated by the
formula, recommend additional examination and correction of drinking regimen. In such cases, it is especially
important to exclude diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus and feto-placental disorders.
When the drinking regimen of a pregnant woman needs correction?
Drinking on thirst - a reliable way to determine the necessary amount of water for a day. But there are times when
the body is not able to fully "digest" the received signals. About these conditions you need to know and correct the
daily norm of liquid in time to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Such situations include:
- diseases of the mother, accompanied by fever;
- hot weather;
- sports;
- toxicosis.
To ensure that the body does not suffer from water deficit it is necessary to measure the daily diuresis. If the
amount of liquid consumed and excreted during the day in the process of urination coincides, it means that the
pregnant woman does not need to drink more. If the difference between what is drunk and excreted is significant,
the amount of water is adjusted with the attending physician.
What are the rules of an optimal drinking regimen for a pregnant woman?
The future mother should understand that it is important not only the quantity, but also the quality of the liquid
consumed, as well as the frequency and regularity of drinking.
The doctor emphasizes the woman's attention to important nuances:
Water should be as pure as possible. It is inadmissible to drink from the tap, as such a liquid contains harmful
impurities. Lead and chlorine compounds can cause intrauterine pathologies of the fetus.
Mineral water is prescribed only in consultation with a doctor. Since it often causes individual intolerance, which
can easily be confused with complications of pregnancy.
Soups, juices, compotes, sodas are not included in the calculation of liquid consumed per day. However, as tea and
coffee, which become the basis for additional water intake.
Limit salt intake, so as not to provoke a false sense of thirst.
Do not drink more than 200 ml of water at a time.
Pregnant women are recommended to always carry a bottle of clean water for timely quenching of thirst.
Drinking regimen of the future mom depends on body weight, current state of health, complications of gestation,
concomitant diseases, time of year, physical exertion. A competent doctor takes into account all the risk factors of
the pregnant woman, and individually calculates how much water to drink per day.
Optimal drinking regimen - an integral part of the favorable course of pregnancy and harmonious development of
the baby.
