Extremely thirsty during pregnancy

Excessive Thirst During Pregnancy

Can’t seem to get enough to drink? Thirst is actually one of the earliest signs of pregnancy (so if you’ve been hoping for two pink lines, it may be time to test!) and one that may stick with you during the entire nine months. Why? Women experience heightened thirst in pregnancy because your body simply needs extra fluids as it supports baby’s development, so it’s important to stay hydrated. If you’re feeling like you’ve just stepped out of the desert all day every day, here’s what your body might be telling you.

In this article:
Is it normal to feel thirsty during pregnancy?
Causes of thirst in pregnancy
What to do for thirst in pregnancy

Is it Normal to Feel Thirsty During Pregnancy?

“It’s entirely normal to feel extra thirsty during pregnancy, even during the first trimester,” says Donald Grant, MD, ChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, a general physician in Bristol, UK, and the clinical lead at The Independent Pharmacy. “Around the time other early symptoms of pregnancy start to show, increased thirst often accompanies them.” And although many of the other first trimester pregnancy symptoms may ease up as time passes, thirst in pregnancy is likely to stick around and even increase as the weeks pass.

What’s not normal? Insatiable thirst that lasts all night and day and doesn’t go away even after drinking plenty of water. Extreme thirst in pregnancy could be a sign of other medical conditions. Keep reading to learn more.

Causes of Thirst in Pregnancy

We’ve all heard the phrase “eating for two,” but why does it suddenly seem like you’re drinking for two as well? The easiest and most common explanation is that you are! When you’re pregnant, Grant says, your body needs more fluids than usual to support baby’s blood circulation, maintain a healthy level of amniotic fluid and keep up with your own higher blood volume. Another possible reason for your thirst in pregnancy? You may be feeling hotter and sweating more these days—both common side effects of growing a tiny human, but which can increase your need for fluid intake.

Causes of Excessive Thirst in Pregnancy

If you’re experiencing excessive thirst in pregnancy, it could potentially be due to a more severe condition, such as:

• Gestational diabetes. In rare cases, extreme thirst in pregnancy could be a sign of gestational diabetes, says Kecia Gaither, MD, an OB-GYN and maternal fetal medicine specialist and director of perinatal services for NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln. But in most cases, gestational diabetes doesn’t cause any symptoms at all—that’s why every pregnant woman gets tested for it.

• HELLP Syndrome. HELLP Syndrome is a rare condition that occurs when a pregnant woman’s liver enzymes become out of whack, and calls for close monitoring until baby is delivered. Aside from excessive thirst, other symptoms can include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and pain in the upper right part of your abdomen.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor, who can help get to the bottom of what’s causing them and guide you on proper treatment.

What to Do for Thirst in Pregnancy

The best thing to do if you’re feeling thirsty during pregnancy? Why, drink up, of course! As a rule of thumb, drink until your thirst has been quenched, says Grant, and avoid the temptation to cut back on water in order to cull those never-ending trips to the bathroom, he adds. “Instead, try sucking on ice throughout the day to increase your fluid intake naturally. Eat fewer salty foods, and instead consume juicy fruits and vegetables with high water content to help keep you hydrated.”

It’s critical that you stay hydrated during pregnancy. In fact, pregnant women are encouraged to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, Gaither says. If you don’t drink enough fluids, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated, which can lead to complications such as low amniotic fluid, insufficient breast milk production and even premature labor, says Grant. “These, in turn, can lead to severe birth defects for baby, including brain damage or spina bifida,” he adds.

According to Gaither, signs of dehydration include:

Dark, strong-smelling urine
Constipation
Dizziness
Uterine contractions
Fainting

To stay on track, keep a bottle of water close by—your purse, your car and your work desk are great places to stash water—and if needed, set an hourly reminder to get those ounces in! If you’re pregnant during the summer months, it’s even more important to keep water nearby at all times. If you’re struggling to drink the recommended amount of water during pregnancy, consider investing in a water bottle that measures how much water you’re drinking.

Updated February 2020

Expert bios:

Donald Grant, MD, ChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, is a general physician in Bristol, UK, with more than 30 years of experience. He serves as the clinical lead at The Independent Pharmacy, an online pharmacy service in Great Britain that advises on common medical conditions.

Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, is a double board-certified OB-GYN and maternal fetal medicine specialist in New York City with more than 20 years of experience. She serves as the director of perinatal services for NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Stay Hydrated During Pregnancy

Healthy Alternatives to Water

The Real Deal with Consuming Caffeine During Pregnancy

Is Extreme Thirst During Pregnancy Normal?

Excessive thirst during pregnancy is common - Is it normal for you?

By Sarah Prager September 22, 2022

When you become pregnant, people say you’re eating for two, but what about drinking for two? We all know how important it is to stay hydrated, especially during pregnancy, but there’s a difference between making sure you’re drinking enough fluids and extreme thirst. Extreme thirst during early pregnancy and during every trimester can be common, but some may wonder if it’s a normal and healthy part of pregnancy.

Contents

Is excessive thirst during pregnancy normal?
What are some natural causes of an increase in thirst during pregnancy?
How can I deal with increased thirst during pregnancy?
What are some health conditions that can cause excessive thirst during pregnancy?

Although excessive thirst during pregnancy isn’t all that uncommon and most pregnant people will experience bouts of extreme thirst at some point during their pregnancy, it can be indicative of issues like gestational diabetes.

Keep reading to find out what we learned about excessive thirst during pregnancy and what it could mean. As a reminder, you should always consult with your doctor about your own specific concerns.

Is excessive thirst during pregnancy normal?

It certainly can be. “It’s entirely normal to feel extra thirsty during pregnancy, even during the first trimester,” says Dr. Donald Grant, a physician in the U.K.

Hunger and thirst both increase during pregnancy, so it’s just a matter of determining what is ‘increased’ and what is ‘excessive.’ Excessive thirst would mean waking up to drink frequently overnight and having a dry mouth, not just wanting an extra couple of glasses of water. Even a huge increase in the number of liquids you’re craving can be normal because of the large amounts of changes your body is undergoing.

Anytime you’re concerned, you should ask your doctor.

What are some natural causes of an increase in thirst during pregnancy?

There are many possibilities that could contribute to an increase in thirst during pregnancy. Although there’s no definitive answer, it’s likely a combination of all these;

The amount of blood in your body increases dramatically during pregnancy, so it would make sense the amount of fluid you take in would need to increase to create more fluid as well.
The pressure on your bladder leading to increased urine output could also mean you need to drink more often to keep replenishing yourself.
All of your body’s needs also increase during pregnancy from calorie intake to sleeping time, so why would water intake be any different?
Hormones like estrogen that are increased during pregnancy can cause extra thirst.
Your kidneys are filtering more than ever and need more water for their extra work.
You need fluids in your body to create amniotic fluid.

None of these reasons are cause for concern and all are natural parts of pregnancy.

How can I deal with increased thirst during pregnancy?

Listen to your body and up your water intake, but don’t add drinks like soda or coffee to quench your thirst. Keep water around you wherever you go. You can also eat foods with high liquid content like watermelon and lettuce and make fruit smoothies for some variety. Sucking on ice chips also helps. Avoid salty foods like potato chips, since those will make you thirstier.

Remember that this thirst is just one symptom of pregnancy that is temporary. While constantly heading to the bathroom to pee is annoying, don’t drink less to pee less. If it ever feels overly excessive, talk to your doctor about it.

What are some health conditions that can cause excessive thirst during pregnancy?

While an increase in thirst during pregnancy is natural, sometimes excessive thirst in pregnancy can be a sign of a serious health condition. Gestational diabetes, HELLP, and dehydration are all reasons why you may experience excessive thirst during pregnancy.

Pregnant people are routinely screened for gestational diabetes around week 24, so you may already have this test, regardless of your thirst. Increased thirst and dry mouth are two of the top signs of the condition along with fatigue, so certainly speak up if you are experiencing all three symptoms.

Since you need more liquid intake during pregnancy, you can become dehydrated if you’re not keeping up with your intake, leaving you very thirsty. If your urine is a dark color and your mouth feels parched, you could be dehydrated and need to drink more water. Push fluids and seek treatment if nothing changes or if you’re unable to drink enough. Sometimes morning sickness doesn’t allow you to stay hydrated, so you may need to get IV fluids at a hospital for hydration.

Only your doctor has the answers about whether your thirst is too extreme and they can point you toward a possible underlying condition that needs treatment. An increase in thirst isn’t a red flag in itself (and is, in fact, entirely expected and normal), but a parched mouth and constant thirst could be a reason to call the doctor. It’s best to be safe and ask to see if any tests are warranted than to wonder and miss something because you were too shy to ask.

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Strong thirst during pregnancy: drinking regimen, an appointment with a therapist

The first symptoms of pregnancy usually appear two to three weeks after conception. One of these symptoms is excessive thirst, which is usually the result of various changes in the body, including morning sickness and nausea with vomiting. But the expectant mother may experience severe thirst at other gestation periods, which requires an appointment with a therapist, identifying the causes of this and correcting the drinking regimen.

When do I need to make an appointment with a therapist?

From time to time, a woman may feel dry mouth and thirst, which is associated with the action of pregnancy hormones. If she understands her body's needs and increases her fluid intake accordingly, then nothing needs to be done. An appointment with a general practitioner is needed for excessive thirst during pregnancy, which leads to serious problems. It is important to consult a doctor by phone if the expectant mother drinks a lot of water, 30-40% more than usual, while not passing more urine. In addition, an appointment with a therapist is needed if additional symptoms also occur:

Persistent dry mouth and throat;
Edema in hands and feet;
Frequent urination;
Fatigue constant weakness;
Visual disturbances and dizziness.

If these or any other symptoms appear, accompanied by an increase in fluid intake beyond measure, an appointment with a general practitioner and a complete examination is important to rule out serious health problems.

Intense thirst and toxicosis, nausea

It is quite normal to feel very thirsty during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester when morning sickness occurs. This is due to the formation of nausea and vomiting, loss of fluid and salts that need to be replenished. In addition, nausea often increases against the background of dehydration associated with increased urination under the action of the hormone progesterone.

Some women may experience nausea and a desire to drink more water even in the second and third trimesters. This may be associated with various pathologies, including preeclampsia and diabetes mellitus. Sometimes a mother-to-be may feel thirsty even after drinking enough water, which can make her wonder if everything is in order with the body.

What are the causes of excessive thirst during pregnancy?

One of the main reasons for feeling very thirsty is the lack of water in the body, dehydration of the body. Other reasons for this could be:

Increased need for fluid. Adults need 1 to 1.5 ml of water for every calorie taken. But when pregnancy develops, since calorie intake increases by about 300 kcal, water intake should also increase by at least 300-500 milliliters. When the recommended daily amount of water is not drunk, the mother-to-be becomes extremely thirsty.
Additional blood volume. During pregnancy, the volume of circulating blood increases to meet the oxygen needs of the baby. Additional plasma volume requires additional water consumption. Therefore, even if the mother drinks more water, it is used up in the formation of blood, and the woman becomes thirsty.
Creation of new cells and tissues. Liquids don't just quench your thirst. Pregnant women need water to build new cells and tissues to support digestion, excrete waste materials, transport nutrients, and form amniotic fluid. The water that the mother-to-be drinks is used for all this, so thirst arises.

Correction of the drinking regime of a pregnant woman

In addition to correcting your drinking regimen and increasing fluid intake, there are a number of steps you can take to manage excessive thirst during pregnancy.

Eat more fruits and vegetables. This will not only increase the fluid content in the body, but also help meet nutritional, vitamin, and mineral needs.
Drinking regimen includes the intake of fruit juices and milk to meet the body's need for fluid.
Limit your intake of salty or spicy foods and reduce your intake of soda or caffeinated drinks for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Always carry a bottle of water with you, whether the woman is indoors or outdoors.
Drinking Lemonade also helps meet the body's fluid needs during pregnancy. In summer, you can use flavored ice to quench your thirst.

When adjusting the drinking regimen, you can use a bottle of water with measured divisions. This helps regulate fluid intake and prevents you from drinking more water than you need.

When does thirst become a cause for concern?

Throughout pregnancy, it is important to monitor your symptoms and understand the needs of your own body. This will help assess when an appointment with a therapist and examination is needed. The expectant mother should consult a doctor:

When excess body water is lost through frequent urination.
If a woman experiences excessive thirst even after drinking the required amount of water.
Extreme thirst may be a sign of gestational diabetes, which should be promptly identified and treated accordingly.

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Thirst during pregnancy: what causes it, how to get rid of it? - JMISS.RU

Roman Loravilov
22 Feb 2013, 09:24

During pregnancy, women begin to take better care of themselves, more seriously assess their inner feelings. And even such a seemingly harmless thing as a strong thirst can scare them. In this article, we will consider whether thirst is so dangerous during pregnancy, and whether it can be a consequence or cause of some serious deviation in the development of the child.

If a woman's pregnancy is going perfectly well, then the frequent thirst is justified. If there is no swelling, and you feel fine, then you can not limit your fluid intake and drink as much as you want and the body requires. But at the same time, it is necessary to take into account which drinks pregnant women can drink and which ones cannot.

Contents of the article

1 Why does thirst increase during pregnancy?
2 What can pregnant women drink?
3 Diet during pregnancy
4 Which mineral water can pregnant women drink?

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Why does thirst increase during pregnancy?

Some women think that thirst is a sign of pregnancy. But it is not so. Yes, thirst in the early stages can be caused by the restructuring of the body and other causes caused by pregnancy, but it should not be regarded as a sign of pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is thirsty, it may be due to the following reasons:

During pregnancy, a woman experiences great stress, because her body needs to maintain not only its metabolism, but also to meet the needs of the child.
In the first trimester there is an internal restructuring of the body. This increases the number and speed of chemical reactions taking place in the body, and, accordingly, the need for fluid.
In addition, during the normal course of pregnancy, the volume of amniotic fluid gradually increases, due to which a woman may also be tormented by intense thirst. A particularly rapid increase in the volume of amniotic fluid is noted in the second trimester, when the fetus is actively growing. But a strong thirst in the first trimester appears due to a change in the taste preferences of a woman.
However, thirst can be a manifestation of any disease. If you suddenly have a strong thirst, this may be a sign of diabetes, as well as the presence of a microbial or viral disease, including various infections of the respiratory and urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract.

What can pregnant women drink?

It is best for a pregnant woman to drink mostly ordinary purified drinking water, herbal teas, fruit drinks, milk, fresh juices will also be useful. Sometimes you can drink coffee.

Even if a pregnant woman is very thirsty, it is strictly forbidden to drink Sprite, Coca-Cola and other carbonated drinks. They disrupt digestion, and also cause fermentation in the intestines, which increases the risk of uterine tone, and this can cause premature birth and miscarriage.

Also, do not abuse strong black and green tea, coffee, because the use of these drinks can lead to increased pressure. And, of course, the use of alcoholic beverages is unacceptable.

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Tip! Store-bought juices from bags should be consumed as little as possible. There is no benefit from them, since such juices are concentrates with sugar and preservatives.

Much attention during pregnancy is paid to herbal drinks and infusions. They contain many trace elements, vitamins, enzymes, and other substances useful for pregnant women.

Tip! Even such a healthy drink should not be drunk all the time, even lingonberries and chamomile.

Compotes and fruit drinks can also be brewed. Such drinks are not only tasty, but also very healthy. Compotes are cooked for five minutes. If you want to cook dried fruit compote, then raisins should be boiled for 5 minutes, dried apricots and prunes - 10 minutes, and pears and apples - 30 minutes.

Diet during pregnancy

If a pregnant woman is thirsty, then first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the diet, and only then reduce the amount of fluid consumed. Oddly enough, but limiting fluid intake can cause edema, since the body, with a lack of moisture, begins to store it.

Especially often pregnant women are concerned about edema in the second and third trimester. In no case should this symptom be left unattended, since swelling at any time can be a sign of disease.

Spicy, salty and smoked foods should be limited as these foods will retain water in the body.
Doctors recommend that pregnant women consume more cabbage in any form: fresh, stewed, boiled. Cabbage contains a lot of potassium, which helps to remove excess fluid from the body. Potassium is also found in potatoes, zucchini, apples, cucumbers, apricots.

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Tip! Potassium is also found in tomatoes, but this product in the diet of a pregnant woman should be limited, since tomatoes contain a lot of salt.

Sweets should also be consumed in moderation, as they will increase the feeling of thirst. In addition, in the second and third trimester, sweets should also be limited because the use of sweet foods leads to weight gain.