Dehydration during pregnancy: causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment

Drinking water and staying hydrated is important during a healthy pregnancy journey. Pregnant women need more water than non-pregnant women and should avoid losing fluids throughout the day.

Pregnant women are at risk of dehydration during the first, second, or third trimester. Dehydrationin pregnancy increases the risk of serious health problems for both the mother and the fetus.

Fortunately, dehydration during pregnancy can be prevented by drinking more water and managing Morning sickness (pregnancy nausea)In severe cases, the pregnant woman may need more fluids via IV to treat dehydration.

In this article, we’ll look at why dehydration happens during pregnancy, its symptoms, and how to prevent and treat it.

Causes of dehydration during pregnancy

Dehydration happens when the body loses more water than it takes in. Many physiological changes in pregnancy increase the body’s need for water. Pregnant women need more water than before pregnancy and also lose more water daily than they did before.

Factors that increase the risk of dehydration during pregnancy include:

• Increased blood volume:- A pregnant woman’s body needs more blood flow, so blood volume rises by 30% to 45%. To keep up with this increase, the body needs more water.

• Changes in the urinary system:- The kidneys usually get a bit bigger in pregnant women. This causes changes in the urinary system, which makes the body lose more water.

• Changes in the respiratory system:- The extra demands on the pregnant body increase the breathing rate, causing more water loss through exhalation.

• Increased metabolic rate:- Pregnancy activates the adrenal glands andthe thyroid gland a bit in the body. This can lead to a higher metabolism and more sweating, causing water loss.

• Increased nutritional needs:- Pregnant women need 300 extra calories daily, rising to 450 extra calories daily in late pregnancy. Eating more means the woman needs more water to support digestion processes and to prevent constipation.

• morning sickness:Nausea and vomiting are common early pregnancy symptoms. Vomiting from morning sickness causes fluid loss and dehydration. Also, pregnant women with all-day nausea may find it hard to drink enough water.

Dehydration symptoms during pregnancy

It's not common for pregnant women to get dehydrated. Early signs of dehydration during pregnancy might include:

• Constipation

• Dark yellow urine

• Less frequent urination

• Always feeling thirsty

• Dry mouth and chapped lips

• Headache

Also, if the body doesn’t get enough water in mild dehydration, the symptoms can get worse and include the following:-

• Fatigue and dizziness

• Feeling overheated

• Having Braxton Hicks contractions, which are tightening and relaxing of the uterus not caused by labor contractions.

Besides that, there are some urgent symptoms you shouldn’t ignore that come from severe dehydration. Severe dehydration can cause serious complications during pregnancy and needs immediate medical care.

Emergency signs of dehydration during pregnancy include:-

• Confusion

• Fainting

• Irritability

• Little or no urine

• Low blood pressure

• Fast heartbeat

• Increased breathing rate

• Shock

• Sunken eyes

Risks of dehydration during pregnancy

Maintaining hydration is essential for a healthy pregnancy. A woman's hydration status affects pregnancy outcomes and her overall health. Pregnant women need extra water to produce enough amniotic fluid (the fluid filling the sac around the fetus).

When amniotic fluid levels are low, the fetus doesn't have enough space to grow and move. This can lead to delayed growth and development, plus issues with the umbilical cord. If the cord is under more pressure, the fetus doesn't get enough oxygen and nutrients, which can cause an emergency.

Also, chronic and untreated dehydration during pregnancy raises the risk of more complications, including the following:-

• Early contractions

• Low birth weight and length for the baby

• Neural tube defects

• Low milk production

Treating dehydration during pregnancy

Rehydration with electrolytes in water:-

To prevent dehydration during pregnancy, most pregnant women need to drink 8 to 12 cups (2-3 liters) of water a day. Once the body is dehydrated, it can help to rehydrate with water andelectrolytesElectrolytes are essential minerals your body needs to work properly. Of course, you should get approval from a healthcare provider before taking them.

Treating mild dehydration during pregnancy:

Most pregnant women can safely treat mild dehydration at home. You can contact your healthcare provider if you’re worried about symptoms or the baby’s condition.

To treat mild dehydration, rest in a cool place and replace lost fluids by drinking water or oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte. If symptoms don’t improve, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Treating severe dehydration during pregnancy:

Pregnant women with severe dehydration should see a healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. The care team can check hydration through physical exams, vital signs, urine tests, and blood tests.

Women with severe dehydration usually need IV fluids to quickly replace lost fluids. This is especially helpful if nausea stops them from drinking water.

Preventing dehydration during pregnancy

Drinking more water and reducing fluid loss can help prevent dehydration during pregnancy. Pregnant women can do the following to avoid dehydration during pregnancy:-

• A pregnant woman should aim to drink 12 cups of water daily.

• If drinking water is hard due to nausea or fullness, drink between meals, not with food.

• Always keep a water bottle handy and drink as much as possible when not feeling nauseous.

• Try other hydrating drinks besides water, like milk, natural fruit juices, or broth.

• Reduce water loss and avoid drinks high in caffeine or sugar.

• Take frequent breaks and drink more water when spending time in heat.

Source of the article.