Drinking Hot Water During Pregnancy

As a pregnant woman, you frequently get tons of advice on almost every health concern. One of the most common advice is to drink water during pregnancy, at least 8-12 glasses daily to keep yourself hydrated, which is certainly correct. Water is vital to the overall health of your pregnancy and should be taken in an adequate amount during pregnancy to support fetal circulation, a higher blood volume, and amniotic fluid development. While it is healthy to drink water daily, how about drinking hot water during pregnancy? We are sure almost every pregnant woman faces this question once in their pregnancy journey. If you are among the smart people having this dilemma, the following post will answer all your near and dear questions related to drinking hot water during pregnancy.

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Is Drinking Hot Water Safe During Pregnancy?

Drinking water in the correct quantity is extremely important when you are pregnant, for the proper development of your baby. The right amount of water will ensure that you are energised and detoxified, aside from being hydrated.

Drinking warm or hot water has plenty of benefits and helps combat dehydration, fatigue, and infections. However, ensure that the water isn’t scalding hot because it can burn the lining of your mouth, which makes it harmful whether you’re pregnant or not. Dehydration is usually the gateway for a host of issues such as nausea and cramps, and it can even cause preterm labour.

Benefits of Drinking Warm Water While Pregnant

As mentioned above, staying hydrated during your pregnancy is something you must prioritise. The following are five of the most important benefits of staying hydrated during your pregnancy.

1. Helps With Detoxification and Digestion

Drinking warm water will aid in digestion by clearing out all the toxins from your body. It also cleans out the digestive tract, allowing your body to absorb nutrients better. These nutrients are then easily passed on to the baby. Warm water is also said to dissolve fat and oil droplets.

2. Reduces Morning Sickness

Most mothers will attest that morning sickness is one of the hardest aspects of pregnancy. Nausea is caused by dehydration, and this kickstarts a vicious cycle where nausea will put you off, wanting to drink water. To break the cycle and keep yourself comfortable, it is imperative that you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

3. Relieves Constipation

With so many changes occurring in your body and in your diet when you are pregnant, you will most likely find yourself battling constipation, which is a common issue during pregnancy. Warm water is a good combatant for constipation and will help you have regular bowel movements.

4. Maintaining Bronchial Health

One of the things that your doctor will tell you is that you must avoid unnecessary medication during your pregnancy in order to keep your developing baby’s health intact. This means that you must take care of your general health and avoid situations that will cause common illnesses like the flu. During winter months, it is especially important that you consume warm water in order to keep certain conditions like throat infections, cough, cold, and flu at bay.

5. Better Hydration

Drinking warm water will result in better hydration, which will help your body perform its functions with ease. With your body’s hormone levels changing, your system will need all the hydration it can get to continue its normal functioning. Adequate hydration helps you combat common pregnancy issues like oedema, morning sickness, cramps, and dizziness.

Does Drinking Warm Water in Pregnancy Harm Your Baby?

While hot water will not harm your baby directly, very hot or scalding water can cause burns in your mouth and throat. This can cause a lot of pain and restrict the type of food you can eat. A reduction in food intake can cause you to become weak and reduce the amount of nutrition reaching your developing baby. The burns may also get infected and may need medication for healing. These medications, in turn, could cause harm to your baby, as any changes in the mother’s body can have a direct impact on the foetus.

Precautions to Take

There are certain precautions you may take if you are still worried about the intake of warm water. Here are a few:

• Make sure that the water you consume is boiled for long enough to ensure that all the bacteria and germs are killed off.
• Do not drink water from places you are unsure of. Carry a bottle of water with you from home wherever you go.
• Make sure the water you drink has no occurrence of lead, which can be an issue if you live in an old house that still uses lead pipes.
• Ensure you use filtered water to boil and not regular tap water. It is best to be safer when it comes to prenatal health.
• Drink the right amount of water but at frequent intervals. Drinking too much water too fast can put too much pressure on your kidneys.
• Drink one cup of water for every hour that you are awake.
• If plain water is not something you enjoy drinking, then add a couple of slices of lemon, or a few pieces of watermelon into your water for added taste.
• Incorporate liquids into your diet. Soups and fresh fruit juices are great sources due to their water content. Make sure that the juice is made at home and that it is sugar-free.
• Do not consume caffeine, soda, or processed fruit juices with too much sugar. These substances act as a diuretic, which is counterproductive.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and going out when it is hot. You will need a large quantity of water and put unnecessary pressure on your body.

Ensure that you keep yourself hydrated, especially during your pregnancy when the hormonal imbalance can cause serious dehydration. It is imperative to recognise your body’s needs.

FAQs

1. Can I drink hot water with honey while pregnant?

Yes, you can certainly drink hot water with honey during pregnancy. Remember to consume hot water and honey in moderate amounts only for it to be safe during pregnancy.

2. Can a pregnant woman have a miscarriage from drinking hot water?

Currently, no scientific evidence suggests a relationship between drinking hot water during pregnancy and miscarriage. However, it is important to drink hot water cautiously as it can cause burns or scalding in the mouth.

3. Is it beneficial to drink hot water with ginger during pregnancy?

Yes, drinking hot water in pregnancy mixed with little ginger can relieve you from nausea and vomiting, thanks to ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties.

If you have any concerns or apprehensions related to the consumption of hot water during pregnancy, the best option is to consult your doctor. Make sure you are comfortable with the amount and temperature of water you are consuming and stop if you are feeling uncomfortable.

References/Resources:

1. Ginger Benefits; Johns Hopkins Medicine; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ginger-benefits

2. Dehydration During Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/womens-health/dehydration-pregnancy/

3. Montgomery. K. S; Nutrition Column An Update on Water Needs during Pregnancy and Beyond; J Perinat Educ.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595116/; 2002 Summer

4. Are There Health Benefits to Drinking Hot Water?; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-there-health-benefits-to-drinking-hot-water/

5. How much water should I drink during pregnancy?; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-water-should-i-drink-during-pregnancy

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