Dehydration In Pregnancy

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Causes of Dehydration during Pregnancy

There are several conditions that can lead to dehydration during pregnancy.

Pregnant women are especially susceptible to dehydration since the body is heavily reliant on water to help form the placenta.

Women can also experience multiple pregnancy related conditions that may lead to dehydration, including the following:

  • Nausea during pregnancy can cause a reduction in food and fluid intake that could lead to dehydration.
  • Morning sickness can lead to a loss of fluid and electrolytes through vomiting.
  • Labor – depending on the length of labor, women can lose considerable amounts of fluid & electrolytes through sweat.
  • Maternal overheating is a condition that occurs when your body’s internal temperature rises to anything above 101 degrees Fahrenheit. This is also referred to as hyperthermia.

Tips for Preventing and Managing Dehydration in Pregnancy

To prevent and manage dehydration during pregnancy, pregnant women can do some or all of the following:

Drink plenty of water

This is the number one way to prevent dehydration during pregnancy. Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day to maintain your body’s minimum fluid levels.

Consume an oral rehydration solution

Drinking an oral rehydration solution like Hydralyte can help relieve some of the symptoms of dehydration. Hydralyte is scientifically formulated to contain the correct balance of glucose and electrolytes for rapid rehydration. Water or sugary drinks are not as effective as Hydralyte, as they do not restore lost electrolytes (which retain the fluid). Hydralyte is usually suitable for most breastfeeding mothers.

Limit caffeinated beverages

Beverages like coffee or tea do little to keep you hydrated. In fact, they’ve been shown to increase urine production and fluid loss.

Avoid strenuous exercises

While a large majority of pregnant women are often cleared by their doctors to participate in some level of physical activity, it is important to be aware of the risk of overheating. Hydralyte is scientifically formulated to contain the correct balance of glucose and electrolytes for rapid rehydration. The formulation is based on the World Health Organization criteria for effective rehydration. Learn more about how Hydralyte compares to other commonly used solutions

Note: If a woman has a pregnancy-related condition such as pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, or oedema, she should discuss her approach to managing dehydration with her doctor.


Looking for tips on how to prepare for delivery?

Hydralyte has developed a Labor and Birth Experience Checklist.