Keep Drinking Fluids When Pregnant
Extra fluids are not only necessary to increase your blood volume by 40 percent and to keep refilling the pool of amniotic fluid; they are also necessary for your overall well-being during pregnancy. Drinking lots of water and other fluids helps keep your skin soft and smooth. Drinking fluids when pregnant puts more fluids in your bowels, lessening constipation. Keeping your body primed with extra fluids helps move along and dilute the body’s waste products and causes you to urinate more frequently, lessening the risk of urinary tract infections. You will need eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day to keep your body and your baby well hydrated. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, since these substances have a diuretic effect, robbing your body of fluids.