When our lives are so busy, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. However, during pregnancy, you’re not just hydrating yourself, but you’re baby too. This means it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re drinking enough water for the both of you, especially if you’re pregnant during the summer months.
Staying hydrated throughout your pregnancy is important for many reasons. It helps form the amniotic fluid, produces extra blood, transports nutrients, creates new tissue, decreases the risk of infections, and supports digestion. It even helps reduce the chances of preeclampsia.
With this in mind, Joy of Life® have put together 3 tips to help you stay hydrated.
1. Drink Water
It’s suddenly dinner time and you realize you haven’t had a drink since breakfast! We’ve all done it. This one might sound obvious, but when we’re wrapped up in the tasks of our daily lives, it’s easy to forget to drink water.
Being more conscious of this is easier said than done, but there are lots of ways you can remind yourself to stay hydrated during your pregnancy. You don’t need to wait until you feel thirsty to drink water. In fact, when you’re thirsty, this means you’re already slightly dehydrated, so try not to let this happen.
It’s recommended that we drink 8-12 cups of water a day. If you find this tricky, set a timer to remind yourself to drink regularly. You can even download apps that help you track your water intake. Why not add your favorite fruit to infuse your water with a delicious flavor?
2. Eat Hydrating Food
Another way to increase your water intake is by eating foods that contain high water content. This could be fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and cucumber, or salads like lettuce and celery.
On top of this, these foods contain vitamins and minerals that support you and your baby, providing you with extra nutrients during your pregnancy. If you’re looking for a diet plan for your pregnancy, then have a look here.
3. Drink Some Water Before Bed
Although you might not want your bladder waking you up through the night, (especially when you’re trying to sleep as much as possible), after six to eight hours of sleep, your body becomes dehydrated. Despite being asleep, your body still needs to function, and that’s where drinking water steps in.
Drinking a small glass of water around ten minutes before you sleep will help boost your immune system and fight any infections which your baby will benefit from, too.
Staying hydrated in every trimester of your pregnancy is essential, and following these simple tips will help you get into the healthy habit of drinking plenty. If you’d like more pregnancy guidance, look here for 10 healthy pregnancy tips.
