Hydration is so important during your pregnancy and postpartum.
The daily recommendation is 8-12 glasses of water not including other beverages. Why, here are just a few reasons:
- Helps with constipation
- Fatigue
- Supports Liver and Kidney functions
- Helps to hydrate dry skin and helps to prevent stretch marks
- Water intake can contribute toward having a normal amount of amniotic fluid around the baby
- Water helps with the blood flow, and it improves uterine profusion, meaning that it optimizes blood flow to the uterus.
While the daily recommendation before you were pregnant was 8 glasses that recommendation goes to 8-12 glasses during pregnancy. Water helps with constipation, fatigue; it helps to support the liver and kidney functions. Your skin gets dry during pregnancy, especially around your belly so drink plenty of water and use high quality body lotions or oils such as Mothers Special Blend Skin Toning Oil. By keeping your skin hydrated you will be more comfortable and also help to prevent stretch marks while your belly expands. When you start to expand you also have a tendency to want to drink less just because you are tired of the trips to the restroom since the baby adds pressure to your bladder. Buy yourself a pretty glass that makes the water look enticing, fill up a pitcher in the morning that holds the 12 glasses worth of water and make sure it is close to empty at night, this way you will know you have gotten all your water in for the day. Try adding a few slices of lemon, orange or cucumber to your pitcher of water, it will make it more refreshing and interesting.
For more information regarding hydration during pregnancy and other helpful information to support you during your pregnancy check out The American Pregnancy Association Website
Have a great day and remember to drink your water