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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Are electrolyte drinks safe during pregnancy?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about electrolyte drinks during pregnancy?

  1. Drinking plenty of fluids, including electrolyte drinks, helps you stay hydrated during warm-weather activity. 1
  2. Staying well hydrated matters during pregnancy exercise, especially in warm environments. 2
  3. Dehydration is a common reason for hospital admission with severe nausea, which is why small, frequent sips of fluid, including electrolyte drinks, matter so much. 3
  4. Many mainstream sports drinks pack 20 to 35 grams of added sugar per bottle, a meaningful chunk of your daily added-sugar target in pregnancy. 4

Is electrolyte drinks safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. Electrolyte drinks are often helpful now if morning sickness leaves you dehydrated. Small, frequent sips go down easier than big gulps.
  • Second trimester. Still fine to use for hydration during exercise or hot weather. Keep an eye on added sugar if you're watching weight gain or getting ready for your gestational-diabetes screening.
  • Third trimester. Same as before. If you can't keep fluids down for long, call your provider the same day: dehydration risk goes up in late pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions

Are all electrolyte drinks the same?

No. Sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade are built for performance and often have more sugar. Medical oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte have less sugar and more sodium, and are built for recovering from illness. Pick the one that matches why you need it.

Do electrolyte drinks contain caffeine?

Most classic sports drinks don't have caffeine. Some energy variants and pre-workout electrolyte powders do, so check the label if you're tracking your daily caffeine against the 200 mg pregnancy limit.

Can I make a homemade oral rehydration solution?

Yes, the WHO formula (about 1 liter of water, 6 teaspoons of sugar, and half a teaspoon of salt) is a documented option. If you're dealing with a pregnancy-related illness, loop in your provider so they can decide if you need IV fluids instead.

What if I can't keep any fluids down?

If you can't keep any fluids down for more than a few hours, call your provider the same day. You might need IV fluids or provider-directed anti-nausea medication to avoid dehydration.

Related in the library

References

  1. Clinical Overview of Heat and Pregnancy: CDC Heat Health

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/hcp/clinical-overview/heat-and-pregnant-women.html

  2. Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: ACOG Committee Opinion

    ACOG · https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period

  3. Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (NVP): MotherToBaby Fact Sheet

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/nausea-vomiting-pregnancy-nvp/

  4. Added Sugars on the New Nutrition Facts Label: FDA

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/added-sugars-new-nutrition-facts-label

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.