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How much water should I drink while pregnant?
—Anonymous
It’s generally a good idea to stay hydrated (even when you’re not pregnant). The medically recommended amount of water is 8 to 12 cups a day, but it’s important to note that there isn’t some magic hydration threshold such that 7 or 13 cups are going to push you over a cliff. Basically, you should drink when you’re thirsty and make sure you have water around, especially if it is hot out.
There are risks to severe dehydration in pregnancy, just as there are when not pregnant, but these typically arise as a result of hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting), not because someone drinks only seven glasses of water one day.
One note: Toward the end of pregnancy, you’ll be screened for low amniotic fluid levels. Hydration can significantly impact this test, so it’s helpful to drink a lot of water before it.
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