If you already drink 8 glasses of water a day, good job! 

If not, you better head to that faucet!

Some women find it hard to drink enough water but here’s why it’s so important

• Water carries the nutrition you provide to your baby
• Water helps prevent constipation
• Water helps get rid of excess salt in your body that can lead to swelling in your hands and feet and increase your blood pressure
• Water helps prevent a urinary tract infection
• Water helps prevent cramping
• Water helps prevent dehydration and headaches

The Good Stuff

A typical water bottle has 16 oz, so that counts as two glasses!

To make sure you’re getting enough water, keep track. Keep a water bottle handy and sip on it throughout the day, refilling it often to make sure you‘re getting 8- 10 cups of water a day.

Fruits and vegetables contain water, so that counts too!

Water, milk, juice are great sources of liquids

The No No’s

Here are some drinks you should take off your pregnancy drink menu and the reasons why:

• Soda – too much sugar
• Diet soda- contains artificial sweeteners
• Alcohol- leads to fetal alcohol syndrome in babies
• Coffee, Tea, Sweet Tea- caffeine
• Sugary fruit drinks- too much sugar

Check with your doctor about your limits for caffeine and sugar.  As a coffee drinker, I was worried that I would have to cut that out completely, but I discussed it with my doctor and every few days I would start my morning with a nice cup of coffee and a smile.

As a pregnant woman, you already know every restroom in town…

                                                                                        What’s a little more water?!

Trisha has been a Registered Nurse for twenty-five years. She connects with pregnant women in a personal, cheerful and caring way. At Mary’s House, she is the Clinic Director who can answer questions as a nurse and encourage you as a good friend would.