Excessive Thirst During Pregnancy – Causes, Signs, And Ways To Deal With It

Is Excessive Thirst During Pregnancy Normal?

Yes, being thirsty is a bit common and natural during pregnancy. It starts as soon as you get pregnant and have some early pregnancy signs like morning sickness and vomiting. Because of vomiting your body loses excess water and, thus to recompense it you feel thirsty.

But this thirst continues till the last trimester mainly because as your uterus grows, your bladder gets less space. And thus it cannot hold much urine at a time. This frequent urination results in dehydration and demands more water in your body.

Besides, you need to produce more blood to supply oxygen to your growing baby. And this blood has water as its major component. The amniotic fluid also depends on the amount of water you take.

So all of these together make you crave more water. Your body naturally needs it.

Causes of Excessive Thirst During Pregnancy

Here we will discuss all the causes of thirst during pregnancy in detail. These are:

1. Sudden Increase in the Production of Blood

The production of blood increases during pregnancy as this extra blood will supply oxygen to your baby. During pregnancy, the volume of blood in your body can increase up to 40%. This increased blood ensures proper cell development for your baby. So to produce this extra blood your body will require extra water.

2. Building New Cells and Tissues

During pregnancy, your body is constantly making new cells and tissues. Water is required to transport nutrients to these cells and collect harmful toxins.

3. Frequent Urination Due to Pressure on the Bladder

During the second and third trimesters, the foetus starts growing big and the uterus starts expanding as a result of it. So your bladder gets less space and cannot hold much urine. Thus you feel the need to urinate more. And the more you urinate the more you feel the thirst for water.

4. Fluid Requirements Increase Naturally as the Calorie Consumption Increases

Your body requires at least 1 to 1.5 ml of water for each calorie you consume. During pregnancy you will have to consume more for the healthy birth weight of your baby. You will also have to consume more water to ensure proper digestion. According to NCBI the average consumption of calories during pregnancy increases by 300. So you will have to drink extra 300 ml of water for that extra calorie.

5. Living in a Humid Climate or Not Hydrating Enough

If you live in a hot humid region like India, then it is natural to be thirsty during a summer pregnancy. You need to hydrate your body more often during pregnancy to fill the amniotic sac. This fluid is vital to keep your baby safely floating in your womb.

[Read : 8 Cool Ways To Handle A Summer Pregnancy]

6. Low Blood Pressure

If you are suffering from low blood pressure then your heart with work hard to pump more blood. This again will enhance your thirst. Also, around 24 weeks of pregnancy women general go through a dip in blood pressure. This can associate with dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, faintness, etc.

7. Consumption of Salty Food

Consuming salty snacks can make you more thirsty. Spicy food can do the same. Extra sodium is not good for you and your baby. So it is good to avoid salty food no matter how much you crave it.

8. Gestational Diabetes

Frequent urination and insatiable thirst is also a sign of gestational diabetes. But in most of the time, gestational diabetes does not show any symptoms. Thus every pregnant woman has to test it once.

9. HELLP Syndrome

This is serious though rare condition in which the body breaks down red blood cells, the liver stops working properly and platelet count decreases. This requires close monitoring until childbirth as chances of blood loss increases as platelets help in blood clotting. Excessive thirst along with abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, etc are the signs of HELLP.

Additional Symptoms That Accompany Excessive Thirst?

Other symptoms you can experience along with excessive thirst are;

• Dryness in the mouth and throat
• Need to urinate more often
• Swelling at the hands, ankles and feet
• Dizziness and blurred vision
• Tiredness
• Leg pain

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

Dealing With Extreme Thirst During Pregnancy

If you are having these symptoms then you will have to take some care of yourself. Here are some tips for you:

• Eat vegetables and fruits containing water like cucumber, lettuce, muskmelon, watermelon, etc. You can try coconut water if you are bored with the taste of normal water.
• Drink lemonade to cope with morning sickness or nausea. This will also help you to digest food easily. Drink sugar-free homemade fruit juice and milk.
• Instead of drinking a stomach full of water, you can try ice chips or popsicles to keep your mouth watery and body hydrated.
• Let go of all of the salty and spicy treats
• Try curd as it has high water content besides protein and calcium. You can also try buttermilk for your summer refreshment.
• Keep a bottle full of water always with you wherever you go. To keep a record of how much water you are consuming, you can buy a bottle with measurement marks.

Following these little things, every day will definitely satisfy your thirst and give you relief. But if your condition is not improving after all these then you should probably consult with your doctor.

Is Excessive Thirst During Pregnancy a Cause For Concern?

So being thirsty is very natural during pregnancy. But the excessive thirst for water is also a sign of gestational diabetes. So when to get alarmed? When to call for a doctor’s advice?

It is when you feel that no matter how much water you take you still feel thirsty. This extreme thirst that stays all day and night is an alarming sign. If there are other problems like increased pulse rate, low blood pressure, ketones in urine, ketotic breath, or reduced urine, you need to take your doctor’s advice.

So thirst for water is one of the most common signs of pregnancy. Give what your body wants as it is necessary. But check if it is going over the limit or not. Then call your doctor.

[Read : How To Handle Dehydration During Pregnancy?]

FAQ’s

1. Can Drinking Too Much Water Increase Amniotic Fluid?

Yes, hydrating your body is connected with the proper flow of amniotic fluid around your baby. You need to take at least 8 to 12 glasses of water daily to stay hydrated.

2. Is it OK to Drink a Lot of Water During Pregnancy?

Your water consumption will surely increase during your pregnancy. But that doesn’t mean that you will have to drink too much water. Drinking 2.3 litres of water is sufficient.

3. Why Am I so Thirsty at Night While Pregnant?

You feel thirsty at night as your body loses fluids and electrolytes naturally during your sleep. Moreover, when you breathe or snore through your mouth the moisture of your mouth and nose evaporates. This makes your mouth dry and you thirsty.

4. How Do You Know if You’re Dehydrated During Pregnancy?

The signs of dehydration are dark yellowish urine, less frequent urine, dry skin, dry mouth, and not sweating in hot summer.

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