Is water safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about water during pregnancy?

1. Pregnant women's daily target for total water, counting food and drinks, is close to 3 liters, or about 100 ounces, compared with 2.7 liters before pregnancy. 1
2. Water needs increase in the second and third trimester, but most pregnant women don't know the daily target, and forgetting to drink or simply not feeling thirsty are the most common reasons they fall short. 2
3. A three-day metabolic study found pregnant women averaged about 3.1 liters of total water a day, and plain water made up the largest share of what they drank. 3
4. Sipping about 8 cups of cold or partially frozen fluids across the day, spaced 20 to 30 minutes away from meals, is a practical way to stay hydrated when nausea makes plain water unappealing. 4
5. Severe, nonstop vomiting that causes weight loss and dehydration is called hyperemesis gravidarum, and it usually needs medical care with IV fluids, not something to manage with diet alone at home. 5

Is water safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Morning sickness can make plain water hard to keep down in the first trimester. Cold, icy, or lightly flavored water often goes down easier than room-temperature water, and small frequent sips work better than trying to finish a full glass at once.
• Second trimester. Nausea usually eases up in the second trimester, so this is a good time to build a steady water habit. Your fluid needs are higher now than earlier in pregnancy, so keep a bottle within reach and refill it through the day instead of trying to catch up all at once in the evening.
• Third trimester. Extra weight and a growing uterus press on your bladder in the third trimester, so frequent bathroom trips are normal and not a reason to cut back on fluids. If it's hot out or you're staying active, drink a little extra to make up for what you lose through sweat.