Preparations 

Strange desires of pregnant women: reasons. Do Pregnant Women Really Want to Eat Strange Foods or Is It All False?

Every woman has certain needs during pregnancy. And the husbands of such wives know firsthand what it is like to run around in the cold winter in search of fresh strawberries, juicy watermelons or peaches. Some ladies dream of smelling gasoline or paint. It turns out that craving for a certain product means only one thing - a lack of vitamins or trace elements.

Food habits of pregnant women

If a pregnant woman wants something special, then this does not surprise anyone. Some passionately desire to get immediately strawberries on a cold winter day, others want to eat herring with ketchup or milk, and some for some reason want raw meat. It's much easier to find certain foods now than it was 20 years ago. In January, you can easily find strawberries, and even herring is sold in any store, what can we say about a piece of meat.

But the unusual combination of products that a pregnant woman dreams of sometimes simply amazes people. Why do food oddities occur? Why do you want meat during pregnancy? And most importantly, what is the reason for such a strong thrust?

Causes of "pregnant" vagaries

With the onset of pregnancy, the female body is rebuilt. At the very beginning, the pregnant woman suffers from a gag reflex and nausea, and scientists associate these manifestations with the occurrence of food cravings.

Experts say that the female body enhances its work for the benefit of the fetus. That is why it gives signals to the brain that indicate certain needs. Doctors note the special effect of progesterone, which is the initiator of the inclusion of a "search engine". Your attending physician will be able to answer the question why you constantly want meat.

Sometimes food strangeness can harm the health of the unborn child and the mother herself.

Why meat?

As mentioned above, any preference for a pregnant woman is due to the action of a hormone called progesterone. Its amount increases significantly after fertilization, it works like an antivirus that reads information and sends signals about the need to the brain. Thus, progesterone helps the body to get the missing trace element or vitamin.

No need to worry about the emergence of a certain need and find out, for example, why you want meat. Doctors say that this product is simply necessary for pregnant women, because it saturates the body with protein and calcium, which the child needs so much. Every woman in an interesting position should think both about herself and about the future baby.

Benefits of protein foods

Now it is advisable to explain what the benefits of meat are. It is worth considering each type of this product separately, highlighting its advantages.

Thanks to meat products, the work of taste buds, the stomach and pancreas is activated, and appetite also increases. Meat is a product that contains large amounts of B vitamins that prevent stress. These vitamins contribute to the normalization of the metabolic process, help break down fats in the liver, strengthen hair follicles, give hair shine and radiance.

In order for the pregnancy to be asymptomatic and easy, it is necessary to use this particular group of vitamins. In addition, meat is endowed with a large amount of phosphorus, calcium, sodium, sulfur, potassium, chlorine and magnesium.

The influence of meat on the child and the expectant mother

If a pregnant woman wants meat, why not eat it? The most popular type is chicken meat. It contains the most protein, linoleic acid, and B vitamins. These microelements enhance immunity, normalize the functioning of the heart and stomach, and regulate blood cholesterol levels.

Duck meat and turkey meat are considered dietary products. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the brain, skin. These products contain a special acid that destroys cancer cells. The undoubted advantage is that when cooking such meat, you can not use salt, because sodium in the composition gives sourness.

Why do you want pork meat? It's quite simple, because it contains a phenomenal amount of vitamin B, iron and protein, which the body requires. But it is worth noting that this product is absorbed longer than the rest.

But lamb is easily digested, which is rich in iodine, magnesium and iron. The body of a pregnant woman receives a double dose of these trace elements from one piece of lamb. In addition, lecithin lowers cholesterol levels, and lamb meat is rich in this substance. Why do pregnant women want lamb meat? The answer is simple: the body lacks iron.

How to cook?

Doctors and nutritionists agree that during pregnancy it is advisable to eat lean and fresh meat. You should not purchase and even more so cook a frozen product. Meat is best boiled, baked and stewed with vegetables.

It is worth noting that it is better to eat meat without broth, since the liquid absorbs harmful substances during cooking. It is undesirable to eat fried meat, it can cause heartburn.

If you always want meat, why not just cook it. You can cook soup, but only when getting rid of the primary broth. It is enough to drain it after boiling. You also need to remember that meat can be infected, so proper heat treatment, exposure to high temperatures and long cooking are important. And this applies to any kind of presented product.

Why are you craving raw meat?

The addictions of pregnant women can be very unusual. Why do you want raw meat at this time? Here everything is clear as daylight - there is not enough iron in the body. Iron deficiency anemia occurs. Quite often there are cases of lack of hemoglobin in pregnant women - every third woman suffers from anemia in the second trimester. Hemoglobin is needed for the normal development of the fetus, and if it is not enough, then reserves are consumed, which are quickly depleted.

Anemia is the result of oxygen starvation, hormonal imbalance, which is typical for residents of large cities when a pregnant woman stays in a closed, unventilated room for a long time. Often doctors have to deal with situations when a woman in position dreams of chalk, coal, whitewash or raw dough - these are obvious causes of the same anemia. With a lack of iron, the body perverts taste preferences. That's why you crave meat so much. Even if it's raw.

Even experts still cannot understand why pregnant women want raw meat, how an indomitable desire arises to taste a piece of raw pork or minced meat. They only claim that in this way the body is trying to make up for the lack of iron, which is rich in raw meat. This is a subconscious reaction of the brain.

And of course, you can not use this product in its raw form, especially when it comes to a pregnant woman. And the increased content of iron is not the reason for such an action.

What if you don't want meat?

Ladies in an "interesting position" need to eat the right and healthy food for the well-being and health of the baby. But what about vegetarians? Why don't you want meat during pregnancy? These women can't even stand the sight of him, let alone the taste.

Meat can easily be replaced with products such as eggs, fish, cottage cheese and milk. It is enough to eat legumes, nuts, buckwheat and pomegranate juice daily to make up for the lack of iron and protein. For the fetus, a stressful situation is when his mother, being an avid vegetarian, begins to consume meat immensely, which she had not even touched before. And here you should not listen to the recommendations of your beloved relatives, who claim that meat is simply a necessary and indispensable product during pregnancy, that the health of the baby depends on it.

If you are a vegetarian and wonder why other pregnant women crave meat, tell your doctor this detail. A competent specialist will not threaten and intimidate you, he will only help you choose the diet that is right for you. And if you doubt the competence of a doctor, then feel free to replace it with another.

It is known that all women during pregnancy at least once, but experience an obsessive desire to eat something unusual or ordinary, but in large quantities. These whims, whims, obsessions visit women traditionally in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, when the level of hormones in the blood is highest. The chemical changes in your body are caused by the increased action of hormones - especially estrogen - which can affect the composition of your saliva, and thus your taste experience. No wonder many women in the early stages of pregnancy complain of a metallic taste in their mouths.

It is not at all necessary that the gastronomic whims of the future mother be associated only with something unhealthy - the craving of pregnant women for salty has long been known. Indeed, salt enhances the circulation of an increasing volume of blood in a pregnant woman, and to some extent this is necessary for the body, within reasonable limits.
Some women suddenly develop a weakness for certain fruits, which may be due to a subconscious desire to change their diet.

If earlier, even before pregnancy, during menstruation or a few days before them, you had an acute desire to eat a Snickers bar at the same time as a sandwich seasoned with a mixture of mayonnaise and ketchup, and put sausage on top, then such absurd desires for others may you experience during pregnancy.

But if you have strange quirks that are not related to food, there is reason to be wary. Be sure to tell your doctor about your need to eat chalk, clay, charcoal or toothpaste for breakfast as a dessert. Together you will figure out what mineral or other nutrient your body really needs.

And yet, if your gastronomic whims bother you a lot, you can try to control them with the help of simple tricks:

Be sure to have breakfast.
So you will reduce the likelihood of nausea or your need for sweets;
exercise more often. A small load remarkably reduces appetite, distracting from food and gastronomic whims;
keep yourself in good emotional shape. Increased appetite is often associated with mood. All our fears, anxieties, insecurities on the physical level are often expressed in a feeling of hunger or a nervous desire to eat something that cannot be controlled;
to satisfy your whims, choose a healthier alternative. Instead of fatty ice cream, eat frozen yogurt, and instead of pie, eat a baked apple with cinnamon.

It is often difficult for pregnant women to curb their sugar cravings. Some women cannot control this desire.

Desires must be satisfied, and driving oneself into Spartan conditions is not good.
It may happen that, having heroically refused a small candy today, tomorrow you will eat the largest bar of chocolate that you can find in the nearest store.

Sometimes the desire for sweets arises due to psychological reasons. In this case, the refusal to satisfy whims can be expressed at the physiological level, for example, in a severe headache. It is worth figuring out what you are missing on an emotional level. Perhaps you just need a little more caring and warm attention from loved ones.

Want meat during pregnancy:

The opposite example of whims is that you constantly want to eat meat products. If meat suddenly appeared in your diet in large quantities: salami for breakfast, steak for lunch, and fried cutlets for dinner, then you should also pay attention to this. Remember, although protein is required for a pregnant woman, excessive amounts of meat can cause digestive problems, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy.

It is quite possible that these meat whims indicate a protein deficiency in your body. In this case, you need to look for other sources of this substance: for example, cereals, cereals, fish, rice, cheese and nuts. Meat consumption should be reduced to 1-2 times a day, and it is better to refuse salami-type sausages altogether.

Sometimes a future mother has desires that she can be afraid of. These desires most often include the need to drink beer or wine. Official sources say that a couple of times a week you can afford a glass of dry white wine or beer without harm to your health. Pay once again your attention to the table of products that should be present in the daily menu of every woman during pregnancy.

Or maybe it's the whims of a child?

It is possible that your future child influences your gastronomic preferences. This is another reason to pay attention to what you want to eat. Often, expectant mothers notice that they stop liking meat, and instead prefer fish. A few years later, it turns out that the child likes fish much more than meat, and parents remember that the baby made his choice while still in his mother's stomach. Therefore, due to such changes in gastronomic preferences, expectant mothers do not have to worry.

More often, pregnant women are concerned about the risk of an allergy in a child if the mother regales herself with sweets, oranges or chocolate. Such a danger can only occur in two cases. If the next of kin or the mother herself is allergic to such products, then it is better to reduce the number of these gastronomic allergens. And of course, do not abuse these products. However, this rule applies to any products - everything should be in moderation.

In general, whims are not trifles of life! These are signals about any need of your body or child, so you should not resort to extreme measures. Eat and drink what you want, in moderation and common sense. And be sure to “translate into Russian” your strange quirks!

Pregnancy is one of the few periods when the quality of nutrition plays a huge role. Nature is arranged in such a way that the requirements of a developing life come to the fore - a woman's body during pregnancy gives all its valuable substances for the survival of the child. This self-sacrifice is the basis of the maternal instinct.

Therefore, the goal of the expectant mother - to bear a healthy baby and maintain her health - is the basis for a woman's high-quality and nutritious nutrition during this period.

Pregnancy is a time of new sensations and various complaints. Expectant mothers may notice drowsiness or irritability, pain in the head and lower back, changes in taste or nausea, weight gain. Sometimes they notice that more and more often there is a desire to drink plenty of fluids. Is extreme thirst related to pregnancy?

Thirst

Moderate or severe thirst is not a sign of pregnancy, although it occurs quite often during this period. Usually, the desire to drink a lot occurs even in the early stages, in the first or second trimester, and is more often noted during the day. However, nocturnal thirst also occurs. In the third trimester, the appearance of such a symptom along with edema is often noted.

The causes of this condition can be both physiological and pathological. However, the appearance of such a complaint should alert the expectant mother. It is best in this situation not to postpone the consultation of the attending physician.

If a strong thirst develops abruptly, among full health and it is almost impossible to quench it, a trip to a specialist should be immediate.

Physiological causes

Bearing a child is impossible without a complete hormonal restructuring of the female body. The volume of substances changes, blood flow increases, the rate of chemical reactions increases.

The expectant mother must ensure not only the normal functioning of her body, but also the growth of the fetus. All this requires additional fluid intake into the body and is manifested by the desire to drink a lot.

The physiological causes of thirst during pregnancy include:

  1. Change in metabolism. Water is the basis of all chemical reactions. If their number or speed increases, then the need for fluid also increases.
  2. Change in blood flow, which entails an increase in fluid volume.
  3. The appearance of amniotic fluid. This leads to additional fluid consumption and the appearance of thirst, especially in the second and third trimesters. The desire to drink can become strong if the volume of amniotic fluid increases sharply or there is polyhydramnios.
  4. Intensive work of the kidneys. Since the excretory system of a woman has to work for two, all processes in them happen faster. This explains the more frequent desire to drink.
  5. Diet change. Expectant mothers often note the need for spicy, sweet or salty foods. After such dishes, thirst will intensify, sometimes quite strongly.

If the desire to drink is associated with physiological reasons, you do not need to be afraid of it. However, only the attending physician can determine the nature of thirst after certain tests.

Pathological causes

Although most often thirst during pregnancy is a natural phenomenon and can be easily corrected by changing the diet or drinking regimen, sometimes it can become a symptom of a dangerous disease.

The most common pathological causes of thirst during childbearing are:

  • Diabetes.
  • Toxicosis.
  • Preeclampsia.
  • Associated diseases.

Pathological thirst cannot be ignored. It can be suspected when you want to drink all the time and the inability to satisfy this desire with any drinks. This condition requires a complete examination and high-quality treatment, since its outcomes can be too serious.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, or DM, can develop before conception or only during pregnancy. In the second case, it is called gestational and, with appropriate treatment after childbirth, safely disappears.

If a woman has not previously had any changes in blood sugar levels, then a sudden feeling of intense thirst may be a sign of onset gestational diabetes. In addition to the desire to drink, the expectant mother may also notice other symptoms:

  • Very frequent urination, or polyuria. Sometimes this symptom is called diabetes, so often you have to go to the toilet.
  • Increased appetite, or, conversely, its absence.
  • Weight loss.
  • Dry skin.
  • Nausea and vomiting.

The combination of such signs with a strong thirst for the first time indicates the development of gestational diabetes and requires an immediate determination of blood glucose.

If a woman had diabetes before pregnancy, then a pronounced desire to drink is associated with decompensation of this disease. This can happen during the gestation period, as sugar levels and stress on the body change significantly. But as a rule, people with a long history of diabetes know the warning signs, and if they are constantly thirsty, they go to the doctor in time.

Toxicosis

Toxicosis in the early stages is often accompanied by vomiting. It can be single or - which happens more often - multiple times during the day. This condition can easily lead to dehydration, especially during the hot season.

With severe vomiting, the expectant mother will experience constant intense thirst. If you can’t cope with toxicosis and dehydration on your own, the woman will need treatment in a hospital - intravenous drip fluid.

Increasing thirst against the background of vomiting is a dangerous sign.

Preeclampsia

In the second half of pregnancy, preeclampsia may await the expectant mother. More often it is noted in the later stages, in the third trimester. Like toxicosis, it is a specific complication during the bearing of a baby.

In this case, first of all, women begin to complain about the appearance of edema. However, they in no way indicate an excess of fluid intake. On the contrary, it is a symptom of impaired kidney function, due to which water does not linger in the vascular bed, but accumulates in the surrounding tissues. She practically does not participate in the exchange. That is why, despite the growing swelling, the expectant mother will constantly be thirsty. And it is impossible to limit the flow of fluid in such a situation.

Concomitant diseases

During pregnancy, the defenses are reduced, and various diseases begin to attack the female body. Most often it is SARS, colds, pathologies of the respiratory system - pharyngitis, tonsillitis and bronchitis.

These diseases are often accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which causes thirst. Also, the desire to drink arises from the emerging dryness of the mucous membranes.

The more liquid is ingested during illness, the faster the expectant mother will cope with it. Therefore, a wise organism reacts to the pathological process with increasing thirst.

To distinguish a pathological desire to drink from a physiological one, a doctor's consultation and a certain examination are necessary.

Diagnostics

The doctor is able to suspect the true cause of thirst already during the interview and examination. However, there are a number of tests that are required when this symptom appears. First of all it is:

  1. Blood glucose to exclude or confirm diabetes mellitus.
  2. General urine analysis. It allows you to determine the protein that appears there only with preeclampsia.
  3. General blood analysis. Its changes indicate an inflammatory process.
  4. Biochemical study of blood. This is a set of indicators that help to evaluate the work of the liver and kidneys, markers of inflammation, protein composition of the blood.

If necessary, other examinations, such as ultrasound, may be prescribed.

Treatment

It is impossible to get rid of pathological thirst without treating the underlying disease. And the therapy in each case will be different:

  • Insulin in diabetes.
  • Saline solutions for dehydration.
  • Protein preparations for gestosis.
  • Anti-inflammatory or antibacterial drugs in case of concomitant diseases.

However, it is equally important to observe the correct drinking regimen. And in the case of physiological thirst, this is the only treatment option.

Drinking regime

While carrying a child, not all drinks are useful. Some are strictly not recommended for quenching thirst. Pregnant women can drink:

  • table water.
  • weak green tea.
  • compotes.
  • fruit drinks.
  • fresh juices.
  • herbal teas (allowed during pregnancy).

Under the ban is sweet carbonated water of all tastes and varieties, energy drinks, tonics, strong black tea, coffee.

Thirst during pregnancy can be common. But in order not to miss a dangerous disease, you must definitely inform your doctor about it.

Most people can boast of periods of apathy and drowsiness. The abundance of incoming information, the change of weather, the erratic sleep schedule - many factors can lead a completely healthy person into a "zombie" state. At the same time, the sensations are indescribable: the eyelids are getting heavy, the heart is barely beating, the reality is “blurred”, and the jaws are reduced from constant yawning. All day long I want to lie down somewhere, but the “harmful” employer is not ready to provide a sleeping place for his employees. If you are a woman, daytime sleepiness may indicate that you have managed to get pregnant. Often, frequent fatigue is the only sign of the first days of conception.

If the suspicions of successful fertilization are confirmed, it's time to prepare for the fact that the desire to fall asleep will become a faithful companion for a long time. After all, during pregnancy you constantly want to sleep. For a woman "in position" an extra opportunity for rest is a "gift from heaven."

It's no secret that in the process of viewing dreams, a person replenishes the resources spent during the day. Turning off, the head gets rid of unnecessary information, the nervous system is regulated. During pregnancy, psychophysical costs exceed all past records. Indeed, inside the expectant mother, the formation of a separate organism is constantly taking place. These are colossal loads, to cope with which a good sleep helps.

Increased sleepiness during childbearing

Why do you want to sleep a lot during pregnancy? Experts identify three main factors that affect a woman's well-being.

  • Intensive restructuring of the body. At the same time, the central nervous system works in an enhanced mode. Accordingly, more time is required for the regulation of processes.
  • Increased production of progesterone relaxes and causes a decrease in blood pressure.
  • Increased emotional and psychological stress.

The combination of these causes and causes increased drowsiness. In this case, all efforts are aimed at the benefit of the unborn child, so you should not worry about the fatigue that has appeared.

Constantly sleepy: a sign of conception

Nausea, weakness, fatigue are known signs of pregnancy. The appearance of these symptoms before the delay of menstruation is significant for any woman. Sometimes the sudden onset of drowsiness is the only “marker” for the conception of an embryo.

It is important to know! The hormone progesterone is to blame, which protects the fetus from rejection, strengthens the uterine walls, and helps the fertilized egg finally “settle”. The costs of these processes are expressed in the "sluggish" state of the expectant mother.

Typical manifestations of drowsiness in expectant mothers

Typical complaints of pregnant women are a sharp change in mood, loss of strength, unreasonable anxiety. Every woman experiences the effects of hormonal fluctuations to varying degrees.
Some are continuously full of strength and energy, others literally "fall down" already in the first days of conception. Well-being always changes chaotically: today we “turn mountains”, and tomorrow we mobilize the last crumbs of strength for brushing our teeth. Such unpredictability should be treated philosophically: all cases cannot be redone. To save creative energy, there is a simple exercise:

  • first, make a to-do list;
  • second, divide it into three parts:
    • necessary responsibilities;
    • things that can be entrusted to a husband;
    • what can be missed;
  • the third stage is sorting the list.

As a result of the work done, people felt great relief. Getting rid of unnecessary actions, a pregnant woman learns to evenly distribute her own forces, avoiding overload.

Causes of the condition at different times

Drowsiness at different times has distinctive causes. If at the initial stage you really want to sleep because of the hormonal “burst”, then in the second trimester increased fatigue is a consequence of the growth and development of the fetus. When the process of bearing a child proceeds normally, in the middle and last stages, drowsiness disappears.

Attention! In cases of maintaining an apathetic state in later periods, it is worth alerting. Often the causes of these manifestations can be various complications.

Start of pregnancy

In the early stages of fertilization, a hypertrophied need for rest does not pose a danger. It's just that all the forces of the body of the expectant mother are working to create a new life. Large resource costs require appropriate compensation. The sleep phase restores lost strength, directs them in the right direction.

As the fetus develops in the abdomen, the toxicosis characteristic of the early stages decreases. After the first trimester, the symptoms of drowsiness gradually "fade away."

Second trimester

Week 14 is the start of the second trimester of pregnancy. During this period, the placenta completes its own formation, unpleasant symptoms disappear in the form of nausea, intolerance to odors, and permanent fatigue. But it happens that hopes for the elimination of drowsiness do not justify themselves. The reason for the manifestation of daytime weakness in the fourth month of gestation is the intensive development of the embryo. As a result of the formation of biorhythms of the embryo, the mother's body is forced to "adjust" to the sleep pattern of the unborn child. However, gynecologists do not recommend long morning sleep. If you sleep a lot during this stage of pregnancy, blood circulation is disturbed, a depressed state appears.

The period before childbirth

In late pregnancy, “chronic sleep deprivation” may occur due to the increase in the size of the baby. Pressure on the internal organs, intrauterine anxiety at night often become the causes of violations of the pregnant woman's nightly rest. If persistent fatigue does not improve and worsens, you should consult a doctor. Sleepiness of the third trimester can be associated with various pathologies.

Reason for serious concern

In the last stages of pregnancy, it is important to identify possible diseases that affect fatigue in time. Some of them are eliminated quite easily, with the help of vitamin therapy, while others are serious and do not tolerate delay.

So, the pathological causes of drowsiness in expectant mothers:


It is important to know! In any case, the presence of suspicious anomalies is a reason to undergo a medical examination. Timely treatment can eliminate the possibility of fatal consequences.

Ways to deal with sleep at work and at home

If the presence of serious diseases has not been confirmed, then the desire to sleep a lot is a consequence of natural processes. The expectant mother is able to independently correct unpleasant symptoms. Particularly active women continue to work literally until the trip to the hospital. In this case, the question arises of getting rid of daytime sleepiness in working conditions.

Here is a list of measures, the observance of which will allow you to stay cheerful throughout the day:

  • take frequent breaks (more than 10 minutes);
  • ventilate the work area: a lack of oxygen can increase drowsiness;
  • green tea is a useful tonic;
  • change the position of the body more often, go out into fresh air if possible;

Here is a sample list of actions to support vitality outside the home. In your own apartment, it is easier to deal with drowsiness:

  • we monitor the quality of sleep: at least 10 hours a day, “light out” at 22.00;
  • getting up and going to bed at exactly the same time every day;
  • regular morning exercises, moderate physical activity in the evening;
  • a varied diet, frequent meals in small portions, the last meal - no later than 20.00;
  • a contrast shower is an old proven remedy, the water temperature should be comfortable, “without extremes”.

Frequent walks, breathing exercises will help not only get rid of drowsiness, but also produce a general healing effect on the body.

Drawing conclusions

Wanting more is fine. Thus, the body accumulates strength, preparing for the upcoming birth. After the birth of a girl or a boy, a young mother will remember with trepidation about a good rest. Taking care of the baby will fill all possible space, displacing unscheduled sleep for a long time. Women joke: “During pregnancy it is difficult to fall asleep “on your side”, with the birth of a child you will learn to sleep even standing up.”

In the prenatal period, you should not deny yourself additional rest. An alarming "bell" is considered to be increased drowsiness in the later stages. Examination by a doctor and complex treatment will help to identify and prevent a serious illness.

To alleviate the symptoms of regular weakness is within the power of any woman. Following the principles of a healthy lifestyle is a good habit that will come in handy in the future.

What kind of symptoms do pregnant women not find in themselves: accumulation of gases (flatulence), cravings for salty and sweet, capriciousness, tearfulness, nausea and increased pigmentation. But thirst during pregnancy is not a sign of future motherhood.

However, it can become an integral part of his companion. This factor cannot be ignored, and first you need to find out the reasons for the increased need for fluid in the body.

Why do you always want to drink during pregnancy

Experts believe that there are two types of factors that cause intense thirst during pregnancy: chronic diseases and pathological conditions, as well as normal physiological processes:

  • it must be remembered that all metabolic processes and biochemical reactions in the body occur through fluid. During pregnancy, these phenomena become more frequent, the woman's body experiences increased stress and spends more energy. Hence the increased need for drinking;
  • due to the accelerated metabolism, the kidneys have to work in an enhanced mode “without days off”, it is not surprising that a woman is very thirsty during pregnancy, and a feeling of thirst accompanies her day and night;
  • against the background of a constant increase in the amount of amniotic fluid, the body of the expectant mother suffers significant moisture losses, so you have to drink a lot and often;
  • if a pregnant woman has undergone a change in taste preferences, and the amount of salty foods has increased in her diet, the body tries to remove excess salt. Naturally, you have to drink more water to make it easier for the kidneys to work;
  • due to the activation of the hematopoietic system, which prevents the formation of blood clots, the accumulation of fluid automatically increases in the vascular system, which is the cause of severe thirst during pregnancy.

Also, the need for water may arise due to some disease. For example, diabetes mellitus, viral infection, bronchial diseases or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

By the way, blood sugar levels in pregnant women are often elevated. If this fate befell you, you should consult with your doctor about the diet.

Sometimes a woman is constantly thirsty during pregnancy for a reason reduced hemoglobin. If you have anemia, it is not surprising that the body requires a lot of water.

There are situations when at a later date there are edema, but thirst during pregnancy only intensifies. It would seem that it is worth limiting fluid intake, but no - the body needs water even more than before. The fact is that an actively growing fetus takes a lot of protein from the mother, “eats” muscle mass.

To reduce swelling in this case and prevent blood clots, you can give up fast carbohydrates - pastries, sugar, sweets, instead increasing the intake of proteins and foods containing protein.

If you are constantly thirsty, especially at night, share your concerns with your doctor. Sometimes thirst signals such a serious illness as preeclampsia, so let the specialist for safety net prescribe additional tests.

As you can see, the reasons why you may be tormented by intense thirst during pregnancy are pretty clear. Now let's figure out what drinks you can satisfy it with.

Faithful helpers in the fight against thirst

Naturally, if you are very thirsty during pregnancy, then you need to fight thirst, and not endure it. Fortunately, the range of drinks is quite wide:

  1. Water. Of course, the first and most true is simple clean water. Not only does it best satisfy thirst, but there are no contraindications to it;
  2. Mineral. You need to be careful with this drink. It is better to refuse medicinal waters, but the dining room can be consumed within reasonable limits. In this case, it is better to choose mineral water without gas, so as not to burden the intestines. It is also worth paying attention to the composition and make sure that this water is mineralized in a natural way, and not by an artificial method;
  3. Juices. Of course, drinks made from fresh vegetables and fruits are good for expectant mothers and their babies. But you should approach the choice of juices with all responsibility, because their abuse is fraught with various complications. First of all, try to exclude juices in packages or bottles from your diet. Product manufacturers often do not disdain sweeteners, flavors and preservatives. There will be no benefit from such a drink at all. Also note that exotic juices such as pineapple or mango are made from fruits that have undergone long-term transportation and storage, not always in favorable conditions. It is advisable to drink nectars of domestic production, grown in the CIS apples, cherries, plums, carrots. But it is best to drink a drink from freshly squeezed berries or fruits, prepared with your own hands. To do this, you need to choose on the market (but not in the supermarket) not too beautiful raw materials - in this, usually, there are no pesticides and nitrates. But do not forget that from sweet juices, thirst during pregnancy can only increase. Therefore, dilute them with water 1:1 and consume in moderation;
  4. Morses. Perfectly helps to cope with thirst fresh fruit drink from cranberries or lingonberries;
  5. Teas and decoctions. Both black and green teas contain significant amounts of caffeine, so they are on the list of questionable drinks for pregnant women. But if you can’t refuse them at all, choose varieties carefully, do not abuse additives that can cause allergies, and the strength of the drink. It is best to drink tea no more than 2 times a day, giving up sugar in favor of honey. And if possible, even switch to rosehip decoctions, dried fruit compote (uzvar), jelly, chamomile or mint tea.

For a pregnant woman in drinking, as in everything, moderation is important. Drink no more than two liters of fluid per day and be healthy!

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