Staying hydrated is more important than ever when you’re pregnant, so you’ll probably feel extra thirsty, which is just your body’s way of telling you to drink up! Increased thirst is also associated with dry mouth, frequent urination, and swelling of the extremities.
What causes it?
You’re drinking for two! You and Baby both need lots of water to thrive. When you’re pregnant, you’ll also be sweating more to cool down. The amniotic sac in which Baby resides for 9 months is filled with fluids to support his or her growth, so you need to provide plenty of water. It’s possible that your extra thirst is a symptom of gestational diabetes, but this only occurs in 5-10% of pregnancies.
Tips?
Drink, drink, and drink some more! During pregnancy, it’s a good idea to get not just your usual recommendation of 8 glasses of water a day, but as many as 10, and maybe even a bit more, if you’re exercising regularly. Salty foods can make you even more thirsty, so you might want to cut some out to relieve the insatiability. Staying away from sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks can also help reduce thirst, as these are not particularly hydrating. Sticking with water and juices without artificial sweetener is the best way to make sure you’re always refreshed. You don’t want to force yourself to drink too much water, but you should definitely be aware of your intake, and whether you need more or not.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
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Sources
- “The role of amniotic fluid.” PennMedicine. PennMedicine, n.d. Web.
