For most women, having a baby is the most ambitious event in their life. And they strive for this almost from childhood. And since there are certain limitations in such a period, the logical question arises as to what to drink during pregnancy. And we are talking not only about drinks, but also about medicines.
Usually we all know the importance of a balanced diet, especially with regard to expectant mothers. However, the main role is still played by the correct drinking regimen. In this publication, we will provide information on the water balance and consider a number of issues.
The special status of women
Absolutely every person experiences pain, since this is a kind of protective reaction of the body, who wants to “say” something about it. Moreover, they accompany us throughout life, starting from birth and the first year of life, when the teeth begin to erupt.
Pregnancy lasts 9 months, which is slightly less than a year. But for this period of time, for various reasons, a woman can feel pain. And here is the nuance - do not have a special status, a woman, without thinking twice, would take a suitable pain medication that is at hand.
But pregnancy is a special case in every sense. Some drugs may negatively affect your baby. It is no accident that in the early period it is generally not recommended to take any medicine, since it is at this time (more precisely, during the first trimester) that all systems are actively formed.
But is it possible to drink pills during pregnancy in case of emergency? After all, pain is pain, there may be weak sensations when they can be tolerated, but sometimes a rather strong pain syndrome appears. In this case, only medicine can help.
Important tip
Pain, in fact, is stress for the body, and in relation to pregnancy, the child himself is also affected. He perfectly feels everything that his mother feels. Therefore, one should not endure pain! But grabbing the very first pain medication that catches your eye is also undesirable. The appearance of pain of varying intensity indicates that something is not in order in the body.
Taking medication only relieves the symptom, but does not eliminate the problem itself. Often, pain indicates the development of a serious ailment that needs timely treatment. In some situations, a woman even needs hospitalization. In any case, it is worth visiting a doctor and telling him about the nature of the pain syndrome. So you can protect yourself and your baby.
Authorized Drugs
Before we consider the information on the water regime, we will pay attention to an equally important point - is it possible to take painkillers in preparation to become a mother. As most experts note, you can drink Paracetamol during pregnancy, and the World Health Organization confirms these tips. Although its active substances penetrate the placental barrier, they do not have any negative effect on the fetus.
In addition, paracetamol-based drugs not only contribute to the relief of pain, but also have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. For this reason, they can be taken to relieve toothache or headache, at elevated body temperature.
Another approved drug for relieving toothache is Analgin. With a single dose, it also does not have a detrimental effect on the child and has a strong analgesic effect. One tablet will be enough to get to the dental clinic and tackle your problem. In addition, the drug is able to relieve fever, and the drug also has an anti-inflammatory property, but is mild. At the same time, during the first trimester it can not be taken.
Many expectant mothers are interested in whether you can drink No-shpu during pregnancy or not. Such a drug, along with "Riabal" and "Papaverine", is an antispasmodic. These funds successfully lower the tone of muscle tissue of internal organs and dilate blood vessels. In addition, they can be used for increased uterine tone, and therefore almost every mother always carries No-Shpy tablets with her, taking them when necessary.
“Nurofen” can be used just in the period of I and II trimester, but after 30 weeks its intake is prohibited, as it helps to reduce the amount of amniotic fluid, which leads to oligohydramnios. Usually, the doctor prescribes a medicine for any pain, as well as an antipyretic in case of fever.
However, they do not take it against a headache, as there may be side effects:
- dizziness;
- drowsiness;
- constipation;
- heat;
- cardiopalmus;
- nausea;
- sweating.
Every pregnant woman needs to be doubly attentive to her body, because under her heart she wears a new life, which needs a careful and caring attitude.
Therefore, in order not to harm yourself by mistake, you should get advice from your doctor who is pregnant to understand what pain medications you can use when a pain syndrome occurs. It is very important - it is advisable to use such tools only after the approval of a specialist. To decide on the question of whether you can drink painkillers during pregnancy or not is only his prerogative!
Water balance in the body of a pregnant woman
It’s clear with the preparations, and now it’s worth touching the drinking regimen of a pregnant woman. As you know, the human body is about 70% composed of water. This is the basis of all life on planet Earth. Life-giving fluid takes an active part in almost all processes of our body. Any cell, be it a brain neuron, myofibril of the heart muscle or the epithelium layer, can not do without water.
In this case, the fact of the intake of fluid into the body is not so much important as its quantity. Excess water, as well as its lack, adversely affects human health. And during the period of bearing a child this is especially important!
In the body of a pregnant woman, for obvious reasons, the need for fluid increases significantly. This is due to many factors:
- Weight gain.
- An increase in blood volume.
- Blood circulation increases.
- Constant amniotic fluid renewal (by the end of the term it is already 1.5 l).
In addition, water is necessary for the vital processes of the fetus. Like any adult, in his body water is the main component for a full metabolism.
Therefore, it is important not only to know what painkillers you can drink during pregnancy, but also to understand the importance of water balance and compliance with the ratio of the amount of incoming water to the body to the amount of fluid withdrawn from it.
Excess moisture
The increase in blood volume in the body of a pregnant woman does not pass without a trace. The load on the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys increases, moreover, it is proportional not only to the gestational age, but also to the body weight, as well as the volume of moisture. And in addition to changing the hormonal background of every woman carrying a child, there is a fluid retention in the body.
And the reason for this is progesterone, which contributes to increased production of aldosterone - it is he who controls the distribution of fluid in the body of a pregnant woman. Such an active synthesis of this hormone leads to an increase in vascular permeability. Some of the plasma water goes into the surrounding tissue, which, in fact, leads to the formation of puffiness.
In other words, excess moisture, as well as its lack, negatively affects the development of the fetus and pregnancy in general. In this regard, control of the water balance is necessary, for which it is important to realize that you can and cannot drink during pregnancy. It is not for nothing that obstetrician-gynecologists monitor the weight gain of expectant mothers and conduct the necessary studies:
- Blood chemistry.
- Coagulogram (hemostasiogram).
- General urine analysis.
All this will allow us to evaluate the functionality of many systems, including the performance of the kidneys.
Drinking mode
As we now know, a lack of moisture, like its excess, does not bring anything good. And since the need for water increases during pregnancy, women need to establish a drinking regimen to make up for the loss of life-giving moisture.
What can I drink during pregnancy? During the first half of the period, at least 2-2.5 liters of fluid per day should be consumed. And this applies not only to purified water, which is sold in bottles at any grocery store. It can enter the body with liquid dishes, drinks, some percentage of it is found in fruits, berries and vegetables. After 20 weeks, this amount must be gradually reduced.
Also, the position of a woman requires her to comply with a number of certain rules. You should not drink all the recommended amount of water per day at once. It is necessary to divide it for the whole day, that is, approximately 100-200 ml (1 cup) is enough for a single dose. Moreover, if you drink in small sips and slowly, you can quench your thirst faster and with less water.
In addition, you should monitor the temperature regime - for all drinks, it must comply with room conditions. In the heat you can drink cool water, but avoid icy. Otherwise, tonsillitis or any other disease is not excluded.
Obvious choice
What can a pregnant woman drink if necessary? First of all, it is worth giving preference to mineral water (preferably with a weak or medium degree of mineralization). Bottled drinking water is also not prohibited. Moreover, if severe thirst torments, then in a glass with liquid you can put a slice of lemon.
Women should prefer compotes, fruit drinks, as well as berry and fruit juices. But during pregnancy they are best done at home, and it is advisable to do without sugar.
What can I drink during pregnancy? For example, such a recipe is useful: crush thoroughly washed berries with a press or pass through a juicer, add water (at the rate of 1: 1). You can cook compote with the same ease. 300 grams of fresh fruit (or dried fruit) pour a liter of water and put to boil. As soon as the water boils, remove from heat, cover with a lid on top - let it cool.
Sour-milk drinks will bring significant benefits to pregnant women:
- kefir;
- fermented baked milk;
- yogurt;
- natural yogurt.
They equally make up for fluid loss, quench thirst, and have a beneficial effect on intestinal function.
Alcohol during pregnancy
Now let's touch on one controversial point. Many experts strongly disagree on the use of alcohol during pregnancy. However, some believe that any amount of alcohol will cause irreparable and substantial damage to the fetus. Others, on the contrary, are convinced that a small portion of wine will not do much harm to either the mother or her child.
On the question of whether you can drink beer during pregnancy or not, every woman tries to make an independent decision, but at the same time she should protect herself from risks. Scientists have proved that regular consumption of alcohol in the amount of 75 grams inevitably causes pathology in the development of the child. If the dosage is less, then the risk is significantly reduced, but still present.
The health of your baby is much more valuable than a minute weakness. In addition, pregnancy is a temporary phenomenon, and therefore, in order to maintain the health of the daughter or son, you can tolerate. It is worth noting that with the regular use of alcohol, the functioning of the woman's reproductive system noticeably changes for the worse. The quality of the eggs decreases, and over time their number is not replenished.
Early term
From the moment the fertilized egg is attached to the uterine wall, a close biological connection is formed between the mother and the unborn baby. I trimester is the most dangerous period in the life of any pregnant woman. The risk of miscarriage at this time is higher than at a later date.
Thus, the question of whether it is possible to drink alcohol in the early stages of pregnancy has already been resolved. And for those who still have any doubts, it is worth bringing an argument: drinking alcohol in the period from 7 to 12 weeks can cause great harm to the fetus. Right now, brain formation is taking place. It is advisable not to exert any influence on this process, whether it is drinking alcohol or taking medications. It’s better to let the body develop independently.
And what, in fact, can happen? First of all, the child’s ability to learn new things suffers. The work of the departments of the brain that are responsible for the memory and functioning of the speech apparatus is disrupted. In addition, a serious blow is inflicted on the immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems.
However, the question of what to drink during pregnancy arises not only for women, men also should not relax at the planning stage. It is better for this time to completely abandon alcohol, which contributes to an increase in the success of conception, and also avoids many risks.
Late period
By a later period, all important life-support systems have been formed, so many women believe that threats can already be avoided, and alcohol will not harm the child. But it’s worth clarifying one important point that for some reason everyone is safely forgetting - everything that enters the mother’s blood enters the fetus’s body, including alcohol.
In adults, a small dose of this kind of drink causes a state of mild intoxication. The child may have acute toxic poisoning. And first of all, they perceive the blow:
- the gastrointestinal system;
- liver;
- kidneys
- nervous system.
The intake of alcohol in the body of a pregnant woman can provoke fetal hypoxia, which poses a serious threat to his life. Often such negligence results in the absence of a sucking reflex in the child, and difficulty with swallowing appears. Now women should definitely not have a question about whether it is possible to drink alcohol during pregnancy, regardless of the term.
In the end, the baby does not receive the necessary amount of nutrients with food, which ends with underweight. The overall development of the child is also inhibited.
In addition, this threatens no less unpleasant consequences:
- Miscarriage.
- Preterm birth.
- Malformations.
- Inhibition of the protective properties of the child’s immune system.
At the same time, the harmful effects of alcohol may not appear immediately, but during puberty. A woman who drinks alcohol turns her baby into a passive alcoholic. Regular intake of ethyl alcohol in the fetus causes dependence.
Permissible limits
And yet, a certain amount of alcohol does not impose a strict ban on the special status of women. It is believed that moderate drinking will not endanger the child. This statement also causes a lot of controversy, but some doctors do not see anything wrong with drinks with a low ethanol content, which include champagne, beer, red wine. The main thing is to know how much alcohol you can drink during pregnancy.
At the same time, if a pregnant woman is worried about nervous tension, then you can remove it without alcohol, finding a good alternative. This is aromatherapy, breathing exercises, exercises from a yoga course, a walk in the fresh air, doing what you love.
But back to our pleasant topic. Scientists have found that it is safe for pregnant women to consume no more than 100 grams of alcohol during the week. Moreover, it is necessary to give preference to products with a low alcohol content.
But, despite the established norms, it should be clearly understood that no one is safe from the consequences. As medical practice shows, there were tragic cases even when drinking alcohol in smaller quantities. In addition, ethanol is completely eliminated within 24 days. And this time is enough for it to penetrate the fetus.
A popular and invigorating drink
Many people are used to coffee in the morning. In addition, this drink helps to wake up completely. But is it possible to drink coffee during pregnancy? There is no complete ban, but women have to change their habits. Low-caffeinated beverages should be preferred. It is also better to dilute it with milk.
As for the regularity of use, it is not more than one cup per day. If the doctor completely banned coffee, then the best substitute would be chicory or cocoa in a reasonable amount.
If a person has no problems with the cardiovascular system, then two cups a day will quickly bring a person to tone and energize. However, the baby will have the opposite effect on the baby in the womb, if the norm is not followed.
Of course, you won’t be able to break the habit of coffee right away, even while expecting a baby. Therefore, it is better to drink it in the morning, and the rest of the time to choose between juices, non-carbonated purified water, sour-milk drinks.
Tea ceremony
We found that drinking coffee during pregnancy is possible, but it is best to give preference to other drinks. For example, green tea has a tonic effect, helps quench thirst (and for a long time), tastes good. In summer, to quench your thirst, you can drink cool tea, just do not make it strong.
Black tea is also not banned against pregnant women. Nevertheless, it should be treated more carefully:
- Making tea strong is not recommended.
- Do not eat before bedtime.
- Drink in limited quantities if the pressure is increased or with toxicosis during the second half of pregnancy.
A good alternative is to brew herbal teas, as well as infusions from dried fruits. An infusion of rose hips has a diuretic property and allows you to quench your thirst. The same effect can be achieved with the leaves of black currant and lingonberry.
You can prepare a potion like this: 5 tbsp. l raw materials need to be poured with strong boiling water (1 liter), then pour into a thermos and insist for one hour. Strain before use.