Dehydration During Pregnancy Can Be Risky

Prenatal

oi-Sneha

By Sneha

Monday, July 9, 2012, 9:10 [IST]

Dehydration during pregnancy can prove to be an issue of high pregnancy risks. A pregnant woman must compulsorily drink at least 10-12 glasses of water per day as water requirement of the body raises significantly during pregnancy. Dehydration during pregnancy can prove to be an issue of high pregnancy risks. So if you cannot take too much of water in a day then opt for some changes. You might also go for a glass of fruit juice. Dehydration during pregnancy is very common as the body is unable to retain fluids due to various reasons. Let us see how dehydration during pregnancy can even lead to complications.

Symptoms

The symptoms of dehydration during pregnancy are very easy to spot. You will have a dry nose and mouth, nausea, headaches, constipation and urinary tract infections. Fulfill your body's requirements of fluids by drinking more and more water. But still it is always advisable to go for a medical consultation in such cases.

Risks

Limb Deformities- Due to a higher blood volume during pregnancy the body loses its capacity to retain fluids for a long time. Dehydration during pregnancy leads to a lack of aminiotic fluid, a fluid in which the baby stays inside the womb. This causes the baby to come in direct contact with the uterus. This is one of the stages of high pregnancy risks. It can even lead to limb deformities in the child.

Neural Tube Defects- Heat regulation during pregnancy becomes an issue of high importance and concern. During pregnancy the body loses its natural ability to release heat due to which you sweat more. To supplement the water loss and maintain a normal body temperature drink lots of water. If you experience fever then your baby will also feel it. It might lead to neural tube defects.

Other Side Effects- Dehydration during pregnancy can also lead to other diseases like constipation and inadequate breast milk production. It also leads to kidney malfunctions. Dehydration during pregnancy also puts a strain on the baby's kidney and liver. It may also give rise to pre-term labour pain. Dehydration leads to decrease in volume of blood in the mother's body. It has serious consequences for both the mother and the child.

A stitch in time saves nine. So if you want to evade all such pregnancy risks then keep your body requirements for liquids fulfilled. Also try avoiding foods that contain too much sugar or caffeine as they cause severe dehydration. Increase your liquid intake especially after travel or exercise.