Dehydration & link to low amniotic fluid? « Back to Group Discussions

[abouttobe5]

Does anyone know if there is a link between low amniotic fluid and low water intake from mom throughout pregnancy?  This is what led to my second section 3 years ago and I'm worried about it already again.  I don't drink a lot of water as it makes me nauseas and all gross-feeling and I'm thinking that maybe this contributed last time too.  I'll suck it up and drink more, obviously, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a connection?  Thanks!

[CindyCindy]

Absofreakinlutely.  The amniotic fluid constantly replenishes itself and it needs a supply of water to do so...where does that come from?  You.  You should be drinking a butt ton of water.  If you don't like it, you need to figure out a way to enjoy it anyway.  Try adding a touch of juice to it, lemon, cucumber (like a spa water!).  I even like drinking water with some apple cider vinegar, it is very spunky.  You must, must, must start drinking water. 

[abouttobe5]

Originally Posted by CindyCindy 

Absofreakinlutely.  The amniotic fluid constantly replenishes itself and it needs a supply of water to do so...where does that come from?  You.  You should be drinking a butt ton of water.  If you don't like it, you need to figure out a way to enjoy it anyway.  Try adding a touch of juice to it, lemon, cucumber (like a spa water!).  I even like drinking water with some apple cider vinegar, it is very spunky.  You must, must, must start drinking water. 

:)  It's not that I don't like it, it's that it makes me vomit or makes me incredibly nauseas.  :)  Which isn't good because I'm getting very little hydration to begin with and it can be incredibly frustrating to drink water only to have it come back up again.  I've tried lots of different ways but it doesn't change anything.  :(  Except for the cider vinegar, I'll give it a try.  Thanks.

Funny thing is that the OB and midwife I had last time around (3 yrs ago) said it wouldn't have made a huge impact based on the amount of liquid I got in my pregnancies. 

[kparker]

I HATE water. I can't stand the flavour of it. It makes me nauseated to drink it. The only way I can tolerate it and not puke my guts out is to make it be Gatorade or add Mio water flavourings to it to trick me into thinking it's not water. So far, that seems to work. Sometimes, that fails :(  I've been drinking a lot of unsweetened tea to help make up for it but that's not as good as straight water. My midwives tsk at me but I can understand how hard it can be to drink it!

[Therese's Mommy]

My second had a 2 vessel cord, which meant the cord was thinner and it was imperative that I had ample amniotic fluid to help cushion the cord.  I drank tons and even at 42 weeks had an amazing amount of amniotic fluid (high teens-low 20s) whereas with my first at 40 weeks I was at about 6-8.  I think the drinking made a ton of difference and I was told by my OB to be sure to stay hydrated in order to keep the fluid up.  

Now that I am making sure to stay hydrated this pregnancy it is amazing how much I drink.  To feel good I need to drink *at least* a gallon of water a day and that is a bare minimum.  If it is hot and I am sweating it is a good deal more.  It is amazing that I am not in the bathroom all the time, but baby must be using it since I have zero swelling.  The sucky thing I have found is that I can do what I am supposed to do hydration-wise in the AM or even more than I need to and then if I slack off in the afternoon I really feel it.  It is constant.  I need to keep up with it constantly.  It is totally annoying, but it makes a difference for me.

[MujerMamaMismo]

Absolutely it matters!
I understand the nausea issue though. I couldn't keep water down at all in my first 16 weeks. I added a bit of lemon juice and that did the trick. You could also go nuts on drinking herbal teas. Nettle is great for pregnancy and I credit it for my excellent iron count. You could try dandelion with a bit of milk too if you need to disguise the water even more...

[MujerMamaMismo]

Oh, and of course raspberry leaf - though I wouldn't drink more than a cup or 2 a day until you're well into your third trimester.

[CindyCindy]

That really stinks how water affects you.  Is this just a pregnancy thing?  Or an all the time thing?  The tea idea sounds fantastic.  I would essentially do whatever you can to get more H2O in your system and religiously avoid anything dehydrating, ie coffee and soda.  Big hugs!!!

[abouttobe5]

Originally Posted by CindyCindy 

That really stinks how water affects you.  Is this just a pregnancy thing?  Or an all the time thing?  The tea idea sounds fantastic.  I would essentially do whatever you can to get more H2O in your system and religiously avoid anything dehydrating, ie coffee and soda.  Big hugs!!!

Thanks!  Just a pregnancy thing.  I"m usually all about water!  It's all I do drink most of the time minus some coffee or tea.  :)  Thanks for your suggestions though, heading to the grocery store this aft and will pick up some cider vinegar!  

[kparker]

My aversion to water is a life-long thing! I had chronic dehydration in high school because of it. Ugh. I just discovered a good way to force myself to drink more: get a fresh bottle of water. Flavour it. When it's been drank, mark a dash on the lid. Refill. Do this until I have at LEAST 4 checks on the lid, preferably five. Once I get all my checks in for the day I can drink whatever else I want. I'm bribing myself so I can drink more juice and that delicious cream soda that is just waiting for me! And I get a solid 68oz+ of water guaranteed, which is easily 4-5 times as much as I'd drink otherwise :(