Pregnancy is the time of hormonal changes in the body. These changes along with the growing fetus can make you sick, especially during the first trimester. Morning sickness is one such condition that can cause a lot of concern among pregnant women.
The symptoms of morning sickness vary from person to person. While some feel only nausea, others vomit it out, leaving them completely dehydrated. Some pregnant women experience vomiting throughout the day, leaving them sick and exhausted. Thus, keeping yourself well-hydrated is very important.
Can Pregnant Women Drink Pedialyte?
Pedialyte is an over-the-counter rehydration drink that is safe for people of all age groups. This drink contains an optimum balance of electrolytes and sugar that helps to rehydrate the body.
Pedialtye is a simple formula that is considered relatively safer for pregnant women. It is available in different forms like a drink, powder and popsicle. Similarly, it is also made available with and without sugar, flavor and colors. Some products are exclusively meant for athletes and those with low immunity.
Just like any other form of medicine, you should consult with your doctor before using Pedialyte. Depending on your condition, the doctor will prescribe the type of Pedialyte to use.
What Are The Signs Of Dehydration During Pregnancy?
Overheating of the body is one sign that you are dehydrated. Besides, you will also experience the below symptoms.
- Feeling of thirst.
- Dryness in the mouth.
- Headache and tiredness.
- Constipation.
- Fatigue.
- Dark colored urine.
- Sunken eyes.
If you are in your third trimester, you may even experience Braxton Hicks contraction.
Dehydration during pregnancy can be dangerous as it can affect the regular body functions. In the absence of adequate fluid in the body, the amniotic fluid will be less. Thus, the necessary nutrients cannot be passed on to the fetus. This can result in neural tube defect and even preterm labor.
Why Is There An Increased Risk Of Dehydration During Pregnancy?
- Morning sickness
Those who experience morning sickness loss a lot of fluid from the body as a result of vomiting. For some people even drinking water can trigger vomiting. This can leave them highly dehydrated.
- Increased need for water
Weight gain during pregnancy occurs as a result of the increased fluid content in the body. This includes the amniotic fluid that contains all the essential nutrients and antibodies. If the mother is dehydrated, it can affect the quantity and quality of the amniotic fluid.
Besides the body requires more volume of blood during pregnancy. Since the major component of the blood is water, you need to drink more quantity of water. In the absence of this, the chance of dehydration increases.
- Excessive sweating
The body heat is consideraby high when you are pregnant. On top of that, if the weather outside is hot, it can result in excessive sweating. If you do not replenish the water lost through sweating, there is a higher chance of being dehydrated.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are the key minerals required to keep the body hydrated and functioning properly. It helps in the proper flow of blood, regulates blood pressure, and also influence a variety of hormones. These key minerals include sodium, potassium and calcium.
A pregnant woman loses electrolytes from the body because of various reasons. This includes
- Morning sickness, including vomiting.
- Increased urination caused by hormonal changes.
- Increased sweating caused by excessive heating of the body and weather conditions.
- Diarrhoea caused by hormone and dietary changes.
When excessive fluid loss happens, it needs to be substituted through external means. One such product that can help replace the electrolytes in the body is Pedialyte.
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Electrolytes?
- Reduce swelling in limbs
Swelling in limbs is very common during pregnany. This is caused by the fluid not circulating properly across the limbs. By drinking fluid containing electrolyte, the hydration level in the body is increased which helps in reducing swelling.
- Reduce constipation
The growing belly and hormone changes can cause constipation in pregnant women. Drinking fluid with electrolytes help maintain the fluid balance and reduce the constipation in the body.
- Regulate blood pressure
Your blood pressure tend to fluctuate a lot owing to the various changes in the body. Electrolytes help to regulate blood pressure and maintain it at the right level.
What Electrolyte Drinks Are Safe For Pregnancy?
If you are pregnant and dehydrated, it is very important to replenish the fluid lost through some electrolyte drink. The best electrolyte drink that is safe for all people, including pregnant women, is Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).
ORS contains sodium, potassium and sugar and helps to replenish the electrolytes lost from the body. ORS powder is available over the counter. All you have to do is to mix it with water and drink the prescribed quantity as specified by your doctor. If you do not like the bland taste of the ORS, you can opt for flavored ORS which is available in orange and lemon flavor.
If you are looking for natural sources to replenish the lost electrolytes, coconut water is a great option. It contains potassium, sodium and manganese and one of the most natural ways to rehydrate your body.
Does Pedialyte Help With Pregnancy Nausea?
For some pregnant women, drinking a cup of water can cause nausea. For such women, Pedialyte comes as a boon.
It helps to replace the lost electrolytes from the body. If drinking Pedialyte is difficult, you can have a Pedialyte popsicle which keeps you hydrated and reduces the chance of nausea.
Conclusion
It is very important that you stay healthy throughout pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting can affect your health badly and leave you dehydrated and exhausted. Thus, it is very important that you replenish the lost fluid from your body.
If you tend to get dehydrated quite often, it is a good idea to consult your doctor and stock up on electrolytes. This way you can replenish the lost fluid as soon as it occurs.
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