Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsRehydratingPreventionTreatment When MinorTreatment When Severe
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Rehydrating
Prevention
Treatment When Minor
Treatment When Severe
Drinking water and staying hydrated are important parts of a healthy pregnancy. Pregnant people need more water than those who are not pregnant and risk losing more water throughout the day.
Pregnant people are at risk of becoming dehydrated in the first, second, or third trimester. Dehydration during pregnancy raises the risk of serious health problems for both the pregnant person and the fetus. Staying hydrated can help a parent’s body meet the increased needs of pregnancy.
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Causes of Dehydration During Pregnancy
Several physiological changes duringpregnancycause the body to require more water. Pregnant peopleneed more waterthan they did before pregnancy, and they also lose more water throughout the day.Dehydrationoccurs when the body loses more water than it takes in.
Factors that contribute to the risk of dehydration during pregnancy include:
Symptoms of Pregnancy Dehydration: How to Tell
It is not uncommon to become mildly dehydrated during pregnancy. Earlysymptoms of dehydrationmay include:
If your body does not receive enough water when mildly dehydrated, further symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, feeling overheated, and havingBraxton Hicks contractions(tightening and release of the uterus not due to labor contractions).
Emergency Symptoms to Not Ignore
Severe dehydration can lead to serious pregnancy complications and requires immediate medical care. Emergency signs and symptoms of dehydration during pregnancy include:
Risks of Dehydration During Pregnancy
Staying hydrated is essential for a healthy pregnancy. A person’s hydration status affects their health and pregnancy outcomes.
A pregnant person needs extra water to produce enoughamniotic fluid, which fills the amniotic sac containing the fetus. When the amniotic fluid level is low, the fetus does not have enough room to grow and move.
Chronic, untreated dehydration during pregnancy raises the risk of the following complications:
Rehydrating With Electrolytes in Water
To prevent dehydration, most pregnant people need to drink eight to 12 glasses (64 to 96 ounces) of water per day.Once the body is dehydrated, it may be helpful to rehydrate with both water andelectrolytes. Electrolytes are essential minerals that the body needs to function.
Ask your healthcare provider if they recommendconsuming electrolytesthrough sports drinks,Pedialyte, coconut water, or electrolyte powders.
Dehydration and Gestational DiabetesChronic dehydration during pregnancy may raise the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Dehydration and Gestational Diabetes
Chronic dehydration during pregnancy may raise the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
How to Stay Ahead of Dehydration in Pregnancy
Consuming more water and reducing water loss can prevent dehydration:
Minor Dehydration Treatment in Pregnancy
Most pregnant people can safely treat mild dehydration at home. Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your symptoms or the status of your fetus.
To treat minor dehydration, rest in a cool area and replace fluids. Drink water, a sports drink, or an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte. If your symptoms do not improve, call your healthcare provider.
Severe Dehydration Treatment in Pregnancy
People with severe dehydration should see their healthcare providers or seek treatment in the emergency department. Your healthcare team will assess your hydration status with a physical exam, vital signs, a urine test, and blood tests.
People with severe dehydration usually require IV fluids to quickly replace fluids. This is especially helpful for people who are too nauseated to drink water.
Severe Morning SicknessSome pregnant people experience severe morning sickness, known ashyperemesis gravidarum, that puts them at high risk of dehydration. If you are unable to drink water due to nausea, try chewing on ice chips. If you experience uncontrolled nausea or vomiting, talk with your healthcare provider right away.
Severe Morning Sickness
Some pregnant people experience severe morning sickness, known ashyperemesis gravidarum, that puts them at high risk of dehydration. If you are unable to drink water due to nausea, try chewing on ice chips. If you experience uncontrolled nausea or vomiting, talk with your healthcare provider right away.
Summary
Dehydration during pregnancy can occur for several reasons, including increased water needs. A pregnant person’s body needs more water to support the increased physical demands of pregnancy. Pregnant people need to drink eight to 12 glasses of water daily to prevent dehydration.
Risks of dehydration during pregnancy include low amniotic fluid levels and preterm contractions. Early symptoms may include decreased urine output, thirst, and dry mouth. Serious symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, fainting, and low blood pressure.
Fortunately, it is possible to treat and prevent dehydration. Drink water throughout the day, and avoid drinks with caffeine or sugar. Take frequent breaks when spending time in the heat.
If you develop signs of dehydration, rest and drink water or an electrolyte drink. If you develop serious dehydration symptoms, seek immediate medical treatment.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Nutrition during pregnancy.Mulyani EY, Hardinsyah, Briawan D, Santoso BI, Jus’at I.Effect of dehydration during pregnancy on birth weight and length in West Jakarta.J Nutr Sci. 2021;10:e70. doi:10.1017/jns.2021.59Song Y, Zhang F, Lin G, et al.A study of the fluid intake, hydration status, and health effects among pregnant women in their second trimester in China: a cross-sectional study.Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1739. doi:10.3390/nu15071739American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting.MedlinePlus.Dehydration.Aziz MM, Kulkarni A, Tunde-Agbede O, Benito CW, Oyelese Y.Are women with threatened preterm labor more dehydrated than women without it?.J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2018;47(5):602-607. doi:10.1016/j.jogn.2018.05.006American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy?.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Nutrition during pregnancy.Mulyani EY, Hardinsyah, Briawan D, Santoso BI, Jus’at I.Effect of dehydration during pregnancy on birth weight and length in West Jakarta.J Nutr Sci. 2021;10:e70. doi:10.1017/jns.2021.59Song Y, Zhang F, Lin G, et al.A study of the fluid intake, hydration status, and health effects among pregnant women in their second trimester in China: a cross-sectional study.Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1739. doi:10.3390/nu15071739American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting.MedlinePlus.Dehydration.Aziz MM, Kulkarni A, Tunde-Agbede O, Benito CW, Oyelese Y.Are women with threatened preterm labor more dehydrated than women without it?.J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2018;47(5):602-607. doi:10.1016/j.jogn.2018.05.006American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Nutrition during pregnancy.Mulyani EY, Hardinsyah, Briawan D, Santoso BI, Jus’at I.Effect of dehydration during pregnancy on birth weight and length in West Jakarta.J Nutr Sci. 2021;10:e70. doi:10.1017/jns.2021.59Song Y, Zhang F, Lin G, et al.A study of the fluid intake, hydration status, and health effects among pregnant women in their second trimester in China: a cross-sectional study.Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1739. doi:10.3390/nu15071739American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting.MedlinePlus.Dehydration.Aziz MM, Kulkarni A, Tunde-Agbede O, Benito CW, Oyelese Y.Are women with threatened preterm labor more dehydrated than women without it?.J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2018;47(5):602-607. doi:10.1016/j.jogn.2018.05.006American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy?.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Nutrition during pregnancy.
Mulyani EY, Hardinsyah, Briawan D, Santoso BI, Jus’at I.Effect of dehydration during pregnancy on birth weight and length in West Jakarta.J Nutr Sci. 2021;10:e70. doi:10.1017/jns.2021.59
Song Y, Zhang F, Lin G, et al.A study of the fluid intake, hydration status, and health effects among pregnant women in their second trimester in China: a cross-sectional study.Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1739. doi:10.3390/nu15071739
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting.
MedlinePlus.Dehydration.
Aziz MM, Kulkarni A, Tunde-Agbede O, Benito CW, Oyelese Y.Are women with threatened preterm labor more dehydrated than women without it?.J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2018;47(5):602-607. doi:10.1016/j.jogn.2018.05.006
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy?.
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