Ah, pregnancy—the magical time when you’re building a tiny human, gaining unsolicited advice from strangers, and visiting the bathroom approximately 237 times a day. While you’re busy nurturing a future Nobel laureate or rock star, staying hydrated should be at the top of your to-do list. Fear not, fellow hydration warrior mammas, here are seven tips to help you keep those fluids flowing and your pregnancy glow glowing!
1. Become a Water Bottle Fashionista
Invest in a fabulous, large water bottle that you’ll love to show off, like it’s the latest designer purse. The bigger, the better—think “hydration-chic.” Decorate it with stickers, bedazzle it, or give it a name like “Watery McWaterface” to remind you of your hydration goals. Keep it with you at all times, and sip like you’re a movie star staying incognito behind oversized sunglasses.
Make sure your bottle is so stylish that even Beyoncé would be jealous. If you ever find yourself using it as an accessory in your maternity photos, you’ve achieved hydration nirvana.
2. Set a Hydration Alarm
Set hourly alarms on your phone with motivational messages like, “Drink water, not drama!” or “Hydrate, don’t hate!” When the alarm goes off, it’s time to take a swig like you’re toasting at a fancy gala.
If the alarm doesn’t work, ask your partner to periodically yell, “Drink!” like they’re a hydration drill sergeant. You might get annoyed, but hey, at least you won’t be thirsty!
3. Get Fruity with It
Add some pizazz to your water with slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or mint. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, channel your inner bartender and create mocktails with ingredients like watermelon, strawberries, and a splash of coconut water. Pretend you’re on a tropical vacation (because who doesn’t want to imagine they’re lounging on a beach instead of waddling to the fridge?).
Play bartender and give your creations fun names like “Mom-to-be Mojito” or “Preggo Punch.” The more ridiculous the name, the better it tastes. Trust me, it’s a scientific fact.
4. Eat Your Water
Hydration isn’t just about guzzling water; you can also “eat” your fluids. Snack on hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumbers, oranges, and strawberries. Think of it as the snack version of drinking water—just more delicious and less spill-prone.
Next time someone asks what your pregnancy cravings are, proudly announce, “I’m really into water-rich foods right now.” Watch their confusion grow as you munch on a cucumber like it’s a bag of chips.
5. Create a Hydration Buddy System
Recruit a friend, partner, or that random person you met in the prenatal yoga class to be your hydration accountability buddy. Check in with each other and send funny reminders like, “Have you hugged your water bottle today?”
Turn it into a competition with rewards. Whoever drinks more water in a day gets a foot rub, and the loser has to listen to a 30-minute rant about pregnancy cravings. Spoiler: No one really loses here.
6. Make it a Morning Routine
Start your day with a glass of water before you even think about breakfast. It’s like telling your body, “Wake up and smell the hydration!” You’ll feel more alert and ready to tackle whatever the day throws at you—morning sickness included.
Pretend the glass of water is your first cup of morning coffee, and imagine it magically transforms you from zombie mode to super mom. Add a straw and sip with purpose.
7. Use Technology to Track Your Intake
Download a hydration-tracking app to log your water intake and set daily goals. Watching those digital water droplets fill up is oddly satisfying and will give you a sense of accomplishment (and possibly a small adrenaline rush).
If you’re feeling especially nerdy, consider writing daily water haikus to celebrate your progress:
Water, life’s nectar
Splashing through my growing soul
Baby says thank you
Bonus Tip: Listen to Your Body
Your body is like a finely tuned hydration machine during pregnancy. If you’re thirsty, it’s telling you it needs water, like a car’s check engine light but way more important. So, listen to it, trust it, and keep those fluids flowing!
Remember, staying hydrated during pregnancy is not just about keeping yourself comfortable; it’s crucial for your health and the health of your baby. Plus, it gives you a legitimate excuse to buy that cute water bottle you’ve been eyeing. Cheers to a happy, healthy pregnancy!
Read more about the risks of NOT being well hydrated during pregnancy and the science behind why taking your hydration seriously is so important: HYDRATING FOR TWO – THE IMPORTANCE OF HYDRATION DURING PREGNANCY
