We’re probably not the only ones with pints on the mind as St. Paddy’s Day approaches.
If you’re lucky enough to be expecting this year when March 17th rolls around you may
be thinking about how you’ll be spending the holiday this year. Unfortunately, if green
beer and heavy helpings of corned beef cabbage are your favorite way to celebrate, you
may be in for some bad news — alcohol and high amounts of sodium are a no-go while
you’re pregnant. But the news isn’t all bad for parents, you can still chug-a-lug along
with the rest of them… as long as you’re focused on hydrating with H2O, that is.
Why is water so important in pregnancy?
There are so many reasons you should up your fluid intake while you’re pregnant. Not
only does it make it easier for your body to absorb all those extra nutrients you’re
getting from eating right and taking prenatal vitamins (you can sign up for a free trial
with our dietitian, if you’re having trouble balancing your pregnancy diet), but it helps to
keep nasty pregnancy symptoms — like constipation, urinary tract infections, and water
retention — from rearing their ugly heads.
How much water should you drink?
When it comes to pregnancy hydration needs, the experts all recommend drinking
between 8 to 12 (8 ounces) glasses of water a day. Those needs could fluctuate based on
a few different things — your weight, activity levels, and other needs can all play a role
— so if you have any questions you should consult your healthcare provider.
Staying hydrated throughout the day
We totally get that pounding that many glasses of water can sound overwhelming (if
you’re pregnant you’re probably already spending more time than normal in the
bathroom to begin with), but there are a few ways to make hitting that daily goal easier:
● Spread your water intake out across the entire day, making sure to have some
water with you at all times.
● Take frequent small sips instead of a few big chugs.
● Make it more enjoyable by adding some fresh fruit or lemon wedges.
Drink when you’re thirsty
If you’re having a hard time managing your water intake, another way to make sure
you’re getting enough fluids is by making sure that you don’t get thirsty. The experts all
agree that thirst is one of the first warning signs of dehydration, so if you’re starting to
feel it you need to make sure that you’re taking a moment to top off your fluids.
You can get your water from other sources
Okay, so we get that drinking that much water can be a turn-off, especially if you’re
suffering from pregnancy nausea or food aversions. Fortunately, if you have a well
rounded diet you’re likely also pulling in liquids from other sources. Foods like fruits and
veggies and other beverages like milk, juice, tea, and soup (try our delicious Matzo Ball
Soup recipe if you’re looking for meal ideas) can all count towards that daily fluid intake.
Avoid the things that can dehydrate you
Obviously, if you’re working hard at hitting that daily fluid goal you don’t want to set
yourself back by eating or drinking things that will have the opposite effect. Consuming
foods and drinks that are high in caffeine or that contain too much sodium (again, we’re
really sorry about the corned beef and cabbage) can undo all your hard work.
Things won’t be this way for long
Remember, while it may feel like it takes forever from the time you find out you’re
pregnant until the moment you get to meet your sweet baby, less than a year will pass.
Which means you won’t have to pay such strict attention to your water consumption
forever (although you’ll want to make sure you’re keeping up your fluid intake if you’re
breastfeeding).
In fact, counting your glasses of water will likely be a distant memory by the time next St.
Paddy’s Day rolls around! Only, we have a feeling you’ll probably wish you were drinking
a little bit more H2O than green beer if you do decide to imbibe.