Is Bottled Water Safe During Pregnancy?

Dehydration during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, such as preterm labor and low amniotic fluid levels (3). By ensuring an ample supply of water, expectant mothers can reduce the risk of these complications

Drinking adequate water during pregnancy will help you stay hydrated and prevent complications such as headaches, dry mouth, nausea, fatigue, cramps, edema, and dizziness. Consumption of less water can be dangerous, especially during your third trimester, causing contractions that can trigger preterm labor as a result of dehydration.

[Read: How To Handle Dehydration During Pregnancy?]

Is Drinking Bottled Water Safe During Pregnancy?

Bottled water is subject to stringent quality standards and regulations imposed by health authorities (4). Drinking bottled water during pregnancy can be safe if certain considerations are taken into account.

While bottled water is generally considered safe, there have been occasional reports of contaminants, such as phthalates from plastic bottles, leaching into the water (5).  A study showed that children whose mothers were exposed to phthalates during pregnancy were more likely to have problems with motor skills and language development (6). A pregnant woman’s exposure to BPA can lead to various health complications and may even cause a miscarriage (7).  Expectant mothers may opt for bottles labeled “BPA-free” or choose glass or steel bottles to minimize exposure to potentially harmful substances.

BPA – The Demon in Bottles

BPA is an organic compound that is present in most plastic bottles. Also known as bisphenol A, it can be extremely harmful to pregnant women and their unborn babies. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics, which are regularly used in water bottles and a lot of containers used to store food and drinks.

Studies have suggested that BPA may act as an endocrine disruptor, mimicking the body’s hormones and potentially interfering with the endocrine system (8). BPA can leach into the contents of containers made with polycarbonate plastics, including some water bottles. This leaching may occur under certain conditions, such as exposure to heat or acidic beverages (9). 

Harmful Effects of BPA During Pregnancy

Several factors contribute to concerns regarding the presence of BPA in water bottles, including its environmental and health impacts. A lot of studies are being carried out in this regard.

Following are a few harmful effects of BPA during pregnancy:

• Research suggests that BPA exposure during the prenatal stage is linked to lung problems in babies (10)
• BPA disrupts fetal development, leading to miscarriage.
• It can trigger gestational diabetes in pregnant women (11).
• BPA can have a very bad effect on the brain and behavior of infants and the prostate gland of the fetus (12).
• Research also suggests a possible link between BPA and the rise in blood pressure and associated issues in the unborn child (13).
• Some studies have linked exposure to BPA to an increased risk of breast cancer (14).

As a mom-to-be, you have to do your best within your limits to ensure a BPA-free pregnancy, thereby securing your and your baby’s health.

How to Avoid BPA Exposure During Pregnancy?

Taking small, proactive steps to reduce BPA exposure during pregnancy contributes to a healthier and safer environment for both the expectant mother and the developing fetus. Here are a few things to avoid BPA exposure during pregnancy:

• Find products that are BPA-free. Earlier, it used to be difficult to find products that were BPA-free. But now, with increasing awareness and stringent government regulations, companies are making extra efforts to deliver products that are BPA-free.
• Choose containers that are not made of plastic. Avoid storing water in plastic bottles and opt for steel or glass bottles.
• Never consume water from a plastic bottle that is kept out in a room that is hot and humid or placed on a stand that has direct exposure to sunlight.
• Invest in a BPA-free water filter for your home to reduce contaminants, including BPA, in tap water.
• Avoid non-stick pans that might have chemical coatings and instead use cookware made of stainless steel, glass, or cast iron.
• Limit the intake of canned goods since some of them contain BPA in their lining. Instead, choose fresh or frozen foods.

Is Tap Water Better Than Bottled Water?

The choice between tap water and bottled water depends on various factors, and both sources have their advantages and disadvantages.

• In the case of bottled water, one is not sure of the source or purity of the water; it is ambiguous. However, in tap water, one knows its source of supply.
• Tap water is subject to strict regulations and regular testing by municipal water authorities, ensuring it meets health and safety standards (15).
• Contamination of bottled water is possible during the process of bottling; however, one can consume the tap water after boiling it to purify it of its impurities.
• Tap water is typically more cost-effective than bottled water. Bottled water is more expensive than tap water, and the costs can add up over time.
• Apart from this, plastic bottles also pollute the environment.

Water intake is very important during pregnancy. Also, factors such as climate, physical activity, and overall health can influence water requirements. Consumption of clean and BPA-free water will enhance a pregnant woman’s health. A pregnant woman needs to make the right and informed decision to secure her and her baby’s future. Survival without water is impossible; drinking contaminated water will invite waterborne diseases. So it is always best to take precautions and drink clean, chemical-free water to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy.

If you wish to share any more information on this with our readers, please leave it in the comments box below.

[Read: How Much Water Should I Drink During Pregnancy?]

FAQ’s

1. Should I Drink Tap Water Instead of Bottle Water When I Am Pregnant?

No, not necessarily. Not all areas have safe and clean tap water. Also, when you are on the move, BPA-free bottled water is safer.

2. How Do I Know Which Bottle Water is Safe During Pregnancy?

Always opt for a branded bottle. Research ahead to know which brands are BPA-free. Also,, never buy bottles kept in direct sunlight.

3. Should I Boil Bottle Water Before Drinking During Pregnancy?

No, that won’t be necessary. However, if you are used to drinking boiled water, you can continue that. Bottled water is purified water and won’t require boiling.

4. Can Drinking Bottled Water During Pregnancy Affect My Baby?

No, the water won’t unless this is not a recognized brand. It is the BPA in the bottles that is harmful not the water.

References

1. Too much of a good thing? Toxic effects of vitamin and mineral supplements – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164945/]
2. Nutrition Column An Update on Water Needs during Pregnancy and Beyond –  [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595116/]
3. Effect of dehydration during pregnancy on birth weight and length in West Jakarta –  [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8411261/]
4. Bottled Water Regulation and the FDA – [https://ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk7366/files/inline-files/141578.pdf]
5. Phthalates residues in plastic bottled waters – [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21804311/]
6. Something else to avoid in pregnancy: Phthalates – [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190221095100.htm]
7. Toxicity of Bisphenol in Pregnant Females: First Review of Literature in Humans – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10276200/]
8. The Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) Exerts a Wide Range of Effects in Carcinogenesis and Response to Therapy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6864600/]
9. Influence of Temperature on the Quantity of Bisphenol A in Bottled Drinking Water – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9104415/]
10. Bisphenol a exposure and the development of wheeze and lung function in children through age 5 years – [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25286153/]
11. Is bisphenol-A exposure during pregnancy associated with blood glucose levels or diagnosis of gestational diabetes? – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3801171/]
12. Neurological Effects of Bisphenol A and its Analogues – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4661290/]
13. Maternal Urinary Bisphenol A Concentration During Midterm Pregnancy and Children’s Blood Pressure at Age 4 – [https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/hypertensionaha.116.08281]
14. Bisphenol-A in biological samples of breast cancer mastectomy and mammoplasty patients and correlation with levels measured in urine and tissue – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5323866/]
15. Uniform Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Protocol – [https://jalshakti-ddws.gov.in/sites/default/files/UniformDrinkingWaterQualityMonitoringProtocol.pdf]

Read Also: Is It Safe To Drink Water From A Copper Vessel During Pregnancy?