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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

why do they advise pregnant women to drink so much water?

23 replies

ForeverBabe · 17/09/2019 08:39

I am really genuinely confused about this. Every pregnant woman I have met (myself included) is chugging water all day because Doctors advise it. But so we really need to drink water all day? I have been managing 3/4 litres a day. I pee all day. And all night. And frankly I am so fed up. It does absolutely nothing to help my digestion by the way 😞. Despite eating fibre all day and chugging water, my digestive system is my greatest problem. So why exactly do Doctors recommend so much water? I asked my Mom and my MIL if they ever drank more pregnancies. Both of them said “not really”. I am so confused. If I could just atop drinking and weeing all the time and sleep through the night, I would be alot healthier in general. Sorry for the rant. Just want to ask if others are going through this or if people can share their expertise? Advice from healthcare providers?

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Settlersofcatan · 17/09/2019 08:42

Are you in the UK?

I hardly saw a doctor during my pregnancies (one v recent) and no one has advised drinking 3-4 litres of water a day! I was quite thirsty during pregnancy but only to the tune of 2-3 litres a day and I would stop drinking a couple of hours before bedtime to avoid getting up at night

Original poster

ForeverBabe · 17/09/2019 08:43

No, I am from Canada. Everyone here is advised to drink as much as you can.

OP posts:

janey15 · 17/09/2019 08:44

I haven't seen any advice to drink that much water. If you aim for the recommended 2 litres or 8 glasses you're probably doing better than most people.

redchocolatebutton · 17/09/2019 08:45

it's sensible to drink a lot to try and avoid utis

xyzandabc · 17/09/2019 08:45

My last pregnancy was 7 years ago but I've never heard of advice saying drink 3 or 4 litres a day. Is it a new thing?
Bearing in mind your bladder capacity gets smaller and smaller I'd think most people would be on the toilet the whole time drinking that much when heavily pregnant.
Has a doctor actually told you to aim to drink 4 litres a day? Or are they just saying make sure you drink plenty/enough? Which I would interpret as more like 2 litres.

ShirleyPhallus · 17/09/2019 08:47

I thought it was because you increase your blood volume increases by 50% and to avoid getting UTIs which you’re more susceptible to

SeaBear11 · 17/09/2019 08:47

It’s at least two litres in the UK. It’s to help with the headaches that can come with pregnancy to ease any constipation caused by the vitamins.

Jent13c · 17/09/2019 08:48

Hows your blood pressure? Mine is ridiculously low this pregnancy, drops to 75/50 if I do night shifts so I really need to keep constantly drinking to keep my blood pressure up otherwise I'm very dizzy and have fainted a couple times. Could that be why your doc has asked you to keep drinking?

tacosplease · 17/09/2019 08:54

I can only manage about one litre a day (I’ve never drunk a lot). I know it’s probably nowhere near enough...

Mintypea5 · 17/09/2019 08:57

I've only been advised to up my intake to 3-4lt since a sudden drop in blood pressure. Especially as it's been a hot summer the midwife said I needed to be drinking more. Once it's cooled down a bit she said the normal amount would be ok but as much as possible is best

Jollitwiglet · 17/09/2019 08:57

You urinate more in pregnancy and can potentially sweat more, so you tend to lose more fluids (especially if you're also vomiting). It helps keeps your urine dilute to minimise the risk of UTIs. It can also sometimes aid constipation, headaches and fatigue. Obviously not necessarily prevent them completely or cure them, but just help. Lots of people don't drink enough during the day anyway, thirst is the first sign that you are already starting to dehydrate. Dehydration can impact on your pregnancy. It's best to aim to just keep sipping fluids throughout the day, rather than trying to glug glasses of water down

pikapikachu · 17/09/2019 09:01

That is not the advice in the UK. Some people drink lots before a scan for a clearer pic. Unless it's really hot (a few days a year here) many people struggle to drink 2 litres.

Angelinthenightx · 17/09/2019 10:13

Its for UTI's also if u dont drink enough can put u into early labour so they say, but also to help u not get headaches. I just drink what i can i dont count what i drink.

NewMama2Be · 17/09/2019 11:10

One of the reasons I've been given is to help lower babys heart rate if it's been a bit fast. My own pulse and HR was fast, leading to baby's being on the upper end of the scale too and drinking plenty while hooked up to the trace did lower it, was interesting to see the real time impact of it!

Moongirl10 · 17/09/2019 12:10

I’m in Canada too and my GP did not mention that to me.

CupCupGoose · 17/09/2019 12:38

I've found I need to drink a lot more than normal to stop myself becoming dehydrated while pregnant, so I'd say it's quite sensible advice really.

Billballbaggins · 17/09/2019 12:41

Helps blood pressure, helps reduce UTIs, keeps you hydrated as you do dehydrate more quickly when you’re pregnant. Just drink what you can and don’t stress

NewMumToB3 · 17/09/2019 13:27

I've been told by the MW to drink plenty of water, particularly during the summer months - but have not been given a particular amount to drink.
I average 3-4 litres Monday to Friday (working week) and drink less on the weekends (probably 1-2 litres). I keep a bottle next to me and just drink when I am thirsty really - which has felt like a lot of the time!

The only thing the midwife said at my last appointment (in the morning where I hadn't had a drink yet) was to make sure I was drinking enough as there was a trace of protein in the urine. I think that shows that your kidneys are working too hard or something. (I am no scientific expert) but also think it's to do with the blood volume and your body generally working harder to function at the moment x

mistermagpie · 17/09/2019 13:32

Third pregnancy here and no midwife has ever mentioned drinking any amount of water to me! If I drank 4 litres of water a day I'd never be off the toilet...

HJWT · 17/09/2019 15:25

You should drink as much water as possible but more than 2L is a bit excessive xx

NewMumToB3 · 17/09/2019 16:41

I disagree that it's excessive @HJWT - 2L (or 8 cups) is the recommended standard amount that we should be drinking each day anyway. Everyone is different but according to the health authorities, we should strive for that if we can.

Regardless of pregnancy, this should be higher different circumstances, for example in warmer weather or if more active lifestyle etc.
I don't drink 3-4 litres just to have done so - I drink that much because my body tells me I need it.

asmv · 17/09/2019 17:56

I always suffer with severe sickness in the first trimester and so by the second trimester i got a kidney infection and ended up hospitalised and on a drip which was down to dehydration.

My second pregnancy now and im really trying to drink and keep water down as it escalated from the sickness.

HJWT · 17/09/2019 18:02

@NewMumToB3 well obviously you change your intake to the situation. Hot outside - drink more, exercising - drink more...

But if shes constantly needing to use the toilet and losing sleep she is drinking to much..

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