I'm not talking about all you non-pregnant people. I'm talking about those wonderful, gravid bellied women.
Please, when it's as hot and humid as it currently is, you need to be drinking at the very least, 60 oz of water a day. That's almost a liter. Actually, come to think of it, drink MORE than a liter of water a day.
Water is good for you. It keeps you well hydrated, replaces the fluids lost from the heat and humidity, and keeps the false labor contractions at bay.
Signs of dehydration in pregnancy:
-thirst
-nausea/vomiting
-headache
-cramping/tightening in your abdomen --> which can lead to preterm contractions/preterm labor
-concentrated urine (dark yellow) --> a well hydrated body should produce urine that looks very pale in color
-urinating less often than usual, or not at all
-fatigue
-raised core body temperature
-dizziness, lightheadedness
-dry mouth
-decreased fetal movement
If you're outside, whether at the pool or walking at the local arts and crafts show, you need to keep a big bottle of ice cold water in your hands and drink, drink, drink!
Caffeinated drinks will actually dehydrate you, so try to avoid or limit coffee, teas, and soda during the hot, humid months. Better things to drink are water (of course!), 100% fruit juices, and caffeine-free tea. If you don't like plain water, add some fruit slices to your water for flavor. Some good suggestions are lemon, lime, orange, raspberries, or strawberries.
If you've been drinking lots of fluids, and you have any of the signs of dehydration listed above, call your health care provider immediately for advice.
