While being pregnant, it is vital for a woman to pay attention to her health and nutrition, especially when it comes to drinking enough water. Pregnancy can cause cravings and food aversions, and she may experience super-sweat. Proper hydration is also critical to her overall health and to the health of her baby. This article will help you learn how much water a pregnant woman should drink and avoid drinking certain drinks.
The NHS recommend pregnant women drink 6–8 glasses of water a day, as well as avoiding certain drinks. But how much water should a pregnant woman drink and what else is okay to drink? How much water should a pregnant woman drink? It’s estimated that only three in ten pregnant women in the UK are meeting the recommendation of drinking six to eight glasses of water a day . Three glasses a day can help you feel more energized and less tired, but drinking more helps your baby develop too. By not drinking enough water some babies don’t grow at the right rate, leading to problems when your baby is born. That’s why the Department of Health recommends that mothers-to-be should try to meet this five daily target by drinking two glasses with meals and another two between meals. Pregnant women should also avoid certain drinks and limit others so they don’t give their unborn baby any harms. What other drinks are safe for pregnant women? You can keep enjoying herbal teas and unsweetened black tea or coffee during pregnancy as long as you enjoy them without sugar. Some dairy products are also fine in moderation, including milk, cheese and yogurt as long as you choose unsweetened versions , which will also help keep hunger pangs at
8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces)
The amount of water that a pregnant woman needs during pregnancy is not the same as when she is not pregnant. While it is not unusual for a pregnant woman to be thirsty during her pregnancy, this is a sign of dehydration. Drinking plenty of water is important during pregnancy to stay hydrated. Aim for eight cups of water per day, and you’ll be well on your way to staying hydrated during pregnancy.
Juice, fruit juice, and milk are other examples of foods that help keep you hydrated throughout pregnancy. Try to limit these foods if you’re trying to get a pregnant woman to drink more water. You should also limit caffeine intake, as it has a diuretic effect and can lead to dehydration. The ACOG recommends that women limit caffeine intake to 200 milligrams a day.
Avoiding drinks with caffeine
While drinking coffee, tea, or energy drinks may give you a boost of energy, they can also lead to miscarriages. According to a 2015 meta-analysis, the risk of miscarriage increased 19% with every increase in caffeine consumption by even 150 milligrams per day. This is equal to two cups of coffee or three cups of green tea. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to 200 milligrams per day, which is equivalent to one 12-oz cup of coffee.
In a recent report, researchers reviewed 48 original observational studies to find a link between caffeine and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Of the studies, 32 reported a link between caffeine and increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The authors concluded that the results were consistent and strongly suggest avoiding drinks containing caffeine while pregnant. It’s worth noting that the association between caffeine and adverse pregnancy outcomes was observed in all but one study. It is still unclear exactly which type of caffeine is harmful for a growing fetus.
Avoiding drinks with caffeine during pregnancy
Although the effects of caffeine on pregnant women are not yet known, they are similar to their effects on the rest of us. They increase our heart rate, blood pressure, and awareness and may affect our sleep patterns. Caffeine is also a diuretic, so it crosses the placenta and affects our unborn child. The baby cannot process the caffeine as well as we do. It can also cause nausea, jitters, and changes in our taste. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid caffeine while pregnant.
While it’s still unclear exactly how much caffeine is harmful to the unborn child, doctors still recommend limiting the amount of coffee, tea, and energy drinks consumed by expectant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women avoid drinking more than 200 mg of caffeine each day. These recommendations are based on the results of a small number of studies and are based on a limited body of evidence. The findings came from prospective data collected from 2,529 women in the NICHD Fetal Growth Study-Singleton Cohort, as well as from twelve U.S. clinical centers.
Avoiding drinks with caffeine during the third trimester
If you’re pregnant and are planning on drinking coffee or tea, consider switching to decaf or green tea. Although preliminary analysis is inconclusive, it’s still a good idea to limit your caffeine intake. You may also want to switch to white or green tea, which contain fewer caffeine molecules. Both have less caffeine than coffee or tea. And while avoiding coffee and tea is best for the unborn child, you’ll be saving yourself from health complications during pregnancy.
Although caffeine does have negative effects on the mother and the baby, it is not the main cause of fetal problems. The effects of caffeine on the body increase as the pregnancy progresses. Caffeine clearance in the body is slowed, which means more caffeine is reaching the placenta. As a result, the fetus is unable to process caffeine as well as it does in adults.
It’s estimated that only three in ten pregnant women in the UK are meeting the recommendation of drinking six to eight glasses of water a day. As well as giving you energy, water is key for helping to make sure your baby grows at a healthy rate and for muscles to develop. So the next time you feel tired, try reaching for the water instead of an energy drink or caffeinated beverage.
