Drink up, ladies!

... water, that is.
As we grew up, we were all told by our parents and doctors to drink eight glasses of water a day. But did you know that during pregnancy, you actually need to drink a lot more than that?
According to an article that I found, "During pregnancy your blood volume will increase by forty percent and water is necessary for this process. Fluids are also needed to carry nutrients to cells and take waste products away. During pregnancy there is about one quart of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby and your body completely replaces that fluid every two to three hours! Proper hydration also helps you stay healthy by regulating your body temperature and aiding in digestion during pregnancy and helping to prevent constipation." The article goes on to say that pregnant women lose 2-3 quarts of water each day!
Something that a lot of people don't realize: by the time you actually feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated- and usually at least a cup of water behind where you should be. In addition, drinking a lot of water can make ultrasound pictures much clearer. If you're a fan of water bottles- be sure yours is BPA-free! :)
To read the whole article, click here.

I'm a pretty big water drinker as it is, but I've been EXTRA thirsty lately. Of course, all the extra water I've been drinking doesn't help when it comes to frequent bathroom trips... sometimes I have to get up four or five times during one movie!