Learn How Much Water to Drink When Pregnant

Adequate water intake is essential during pregnancy to feel good, think clearly, for the body to operate as it should, and to grow a healthy baby. If you’ve never thought about it before, now is the time to think about how much water to drink when pregnant.

“When you’re pregnant, your fluid needs go up. Your baby is literally swimming in amniotic fluid inside your uterus and your blood volume increases significantly starting in the first trimester. Water is essential for maintaining good circulation, which brings nutrients to your baby and removes waste products.” (Real Food for Pregnancy, Lily Nichols pg 22)

So… how much water should a woman drink when she’s pregnant? Let’s dive in (pun intended)!

On This Page

6 minute read
↓How Much Water to Drink When Pregnant
↓Hydration Tips for Pregnancy
↓Rubber Band Trick
↓Morning Sickness and First Trimester Hydration Advice
↓Dehydration Warning Signs
↓Summer Pregnancy Hydration Tips
↓How Much to Drink When Pregnant with Twins
↓How Much Water to Drink When Pregnant and Breastfeeding

How Much Water to Drink When Pregnant

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends women to consume 3 liters of fluids per day coming from water, beverages, and food. This is a little more than three quarts per day. 2.3 liters (approx 10 cups) of this needs to come from beverages, which is around 2.5 quarts of fluids.

Pregnant women need to consume

• 2.3 liters (or litres for all you mums out there)
• 80 ounces
• 10 cups
• 5 pints or
• 2.5 quarts

of fluids from beverages, daily.

Hydration Tips for Pregnancy

Now that we know how much water to drink when pregnant, let’s talk about tips and tricks to make hydration happen.

• A good litmus test for hydration during pregnancy is to look at your urine. If it is clear or very light yellow, you’re well hydrated. Anything darker than that, and you need to drink some water!
• If you’re at home most days, every morning fill three quart sized mason jars. Leave the water jars out on the counter if you like room temperature water, or in the fridge if you like it chilled. Aim to empty all three by early evening.
• If you’re out and about throughout the day, make sure you always carry a water bottle on your person. I like this brand!
• Cut off fluid intake in the early evening to reduce trips to the bathroom at night.
• Just for fun, experiment with adding slices of citrus, cucumber, mint leaves, and/or berries. A delicious treat!
• If you are experiencing braxton hicks contractions, they could be caused by dehydration. Rest, hydrate, and see if they go away. If not, call your care provider.

Rubber Band Trick

A smart way to make sure to drink enough water throughout the day is to use the rubber band trick.

1. Figure out how many times you would need to refill your water bottle throughout the day to reach your daily required water needs.
2. Put that many rubber bands on the water bottle.
3. Each time you empty your water bottle, remove one rubber band.
4. Your water bottle should be rubber band free by early evening.

Morning Sickness and First Trimester Hydration Advice

Did you know that dehydration makes morning sickness worse? Much worse. Dehydration is the enemy when dealing with morning sickness, just like in labor. Here are some morning sickness tips for staying hydrated.

• If drinking room temperature water turns your stomach, very cold and/or icey water makes a huge difference.
• Try adding a few slices of lemon to your ice water. The lemon coupled with the cold water will really help you to start feeling better!
• Electrolyte cubes are a fun and aesthetically pleasing way to stay hydrated. Check them out!
• If you’ve been vomiting and haven’t kept anything down in awhile, you may need to contact your care provider.

Dehydration Warning Signs

According to the March of Dimes, call your health care provider if:

• Your morning sickness continues into your 4th month of pregnancy.
• You lose more than 2 pounds.
• Your vomit is brown in color or has blood in it.
• You vomit more than 3 times a day and can’t keep food or fluids down.
• Your heart beats faster than usual.
• You’re tired or confused.
• You’re making much less urine than usual, or no urine at all.

Summer Pregnancy Hydration Tips

The summer can be challenging for pregnancy when it comes to staying hydrated. Here are some tips to staying well-watered even in the hottest months of the year.

• Don’t wait for the feeling of thirst to start drinking water. Often times, if you’re feeling thirsty you’re already dehydrated.
• Always make sure you have a beverage wherever you’re going. Plan for success!
• When outside and sweating, increase your fluids accordingly.
• Try a drink with electrolytes like ice cold coconut water. It’s delicious and good for you too!
• Electrolyte cubes are perfect for summer.
• Put a watermelon in the fridge, let it chill, and then eat to your heart’s content. It’s one of the most hydrating fruits out there!
• Fruit salad is a delicious way to stay hydrated. Learn how to make a fruit salad over here!

How Much Water to Drink When Pregnant with Twins

According to Multiple Births Canada, women are advised to meet singleton pregnancy hydration guidelines (2.3 liters, approximately 10 cups, or 2.5 quarts of fluids) at minimum when pregnant with twins.

However, listen to your body for it is wise. If you are thirsty, drink. If your urine is yellow, keep drinking. If you can’t seem to stay hydrated, consider a hydration backpack. Seriously! A friend of mine was better able to stay hydrated with one of these things when she was pregnant with her twins. Do whatever you have to do to stay hydrated. It’s so important!

How Much Water to Drink When Pregnant and Breastfeeding

For all you mamas out there that are pregnant AND breastfeeding, you have your work cut out for you. In my opinion, and this is just mama-to-mama advice, your water intake should mirror that of a woman pregnant with twins.

Start by meeting singleton pregnancy hydration guidelines (2.3 liters, approximately 10 cups, or 2.5 quarts of fluids) and then increase fluids according to thirst and the color of your urine.

If your “born baby” relies heavily on breastmilk for their daily nutrition, you’re likely going to be drinking more fluids than those who only comfort nurse their toddlers to sleep in the evening, if you know what I mean. Always, always have a drink nearby. Your body is working hard! Give it the fuel to make it happen.

Want More?

To read more about how much water to drink when breastfeeding, hop on over here. For more summer pregnancy tips head on over here! For all things summer, check out Mother Rising’s summer archives.