Professor Alessandro Zanasi explains how drinking the right amount of water can help women during the 9 months
The period of pregnancy is particular for every woman, a moment that everyone lives in a different way but which also has many needs and common elements. Hydration is one of the most important factors in dealing with expectation in the best possible way. The intake of the right amount of water during the 9 months is, in fact, essential in order to better face the physiological changes that the body goes through, accompanying it step by step to the day of delivery.
Water plays a crucial role in the life of all of us: it helps eliminate toxins, promote digestion, ensure the natural absorption of essential nutrients from our diet. During pregnancy these functions acquire an even greater importance, since the optimal growth of a child requires an organism that performs all its activities in the best possible way. Furthermore, water plays a crucial role in this phase as it is necessary to produce the fluid that surrounds the fetus in the belly (amniotic fluid) and to help increase the volume of blood (important for the vascularization of the placenta which allows maternal-fetal exchange of nutrients and other compounds).
But what are the potential risks for expectant mothers who don't drink enough water? “Pregnant and breastfeeding women are at high risk of dehydration”, underlines Professor Alessandro Zanasi of the University of Bologna and expert of the San Pellegrino Observatory. “In this regard, a recent study1, conducted on 200 women (pregnant and new mothers), showed that 58% of these do not reach the expected levels of hydration. Furthermore, the main source of fluid intake was that resulting from the consumption of food and not from water. Dehydration can cause complications both for the fetus (low amniotic fluid, neural tube defects, premature birth) and for new mothers: if you do not take in sufficient quantities of water, you risk being affected by health problems during pregnancy. such as malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances and muscle weakness, depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.
It is therefore important to follow some simple tips to take the right amount of water during pregnancy: "For pregnant women it is advisable to choose bicarbonate mineral waters, with a good content in calcium and a low sodium content, to counteract gastric acidity, source of discomfort for many pregnant women. Some studies also confirm the usefulness of including iron-rich waters in the diet, to prevent cases of anemia, which are very frequent among women during pregnancy2. As for the quantity, it is advisable to take about 1,5 / 2 liters of water daily in order to maintain the body's water balance and thus promote a balance even for your child. "