Is It Safe To Drink Hot Water During Pregnancy?

One of the most common advice you may have heard from well-wishers is to drink plenty of water daily to stay healthy throughout pregnancy. Drinking enough water keeps you hydrated and aids in detoxification. However, you might be wondering if drinking hot water during pregnancy is healthy or not.

While drinking water is essential for the fetal development and health, drinking warm water adds to the list of advantages and is quite beneficial. It keeps dehydration, weariness, infections, and other illnesses at bay while helping you stay energetic and strong. Additionally, it provides nourishment and protects you from potential water-borne diseases. So, read on to know more benefits of drinking warm water while pregnant and some cautions to keep in mind.

In This Article

Intake Requirements

Here are some guidelines on water intake for pregnant women:

  • You must have eight to twelve glasses of water every day. This ensures proper hydration and healthy functioning of your body (1).
  • Your water requirement may increase with the changes in your weight, weather conditions, and daily activities.
  • After exercising, you must drink extra water to compensate for the body fluid lost during the workout.
Drink extra water after excercising while pregnant
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  • It has been found that during pregnancy, drinking more fluids also helps to reduce water retention in the body.
  • You should keep having water at regular intervals and never wait to get thirsty to drink water. However, please consult a doctor (or your physician) in order to determine the specific amount of water that is safe and advisable to be consumed.

protip_icon Quick fact
Water aids in digestion and helps eliminate waste from the body through urine. It also plays a role in amniotic fluidiXThe clear fluid surrounding the baby in the uterus that keeps it protected and aids in its overall development production during pregnancy (1).

Importance of Optimum Hydration

Dehydration and fatigue are common issues faced during pregnancy. Dehydration can lead to many complications such as nausea, dizziness, cramps, edemaiXSwelling resulting from excessive fluid retention in the tissues , and urine infection. It can also exacerbate nausea and vomiting, which are common symptoms of morning sickness.

In some cases, it may also lead to more serious complications such as neural tube defectsiXCongenital abnormalities of the brain or spinal cord caused when the neural tube doesn’t close completely , low amniotic fluid, insufficient breast milk production, and preterm labor (1).

Water also helps in the formation and functioning of the placenta and amniotic saciXA thin membranous sac filled with clear fluid that carries the fetus and provides protection Besides, it helps carry oxygen and nutrients from maternal circulation to the baby. Therefore, optimum hydration is a crucial component of prenatal care, which ensures proper growth and survival of the fetus (1).

Benefits of Drinking Warm Water During Pregnancy

Drinking tepid or lukewarm water renders many health benefits to both you and your baby. They are (2):

  • Warm water helps to detoxify your body as it makes you sweat. You can get rid of irritants and toxins via sweat. which might help boost immunity.
Drinking hot water during pregnancy helps to detoxify
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  • It helps ensure proper and healthy bowel movement and provides relief from acidity and constipation, especially if you have a known history of hemorrhoids (piles).
  • Warm water helps improve blood flow in your body. A glass of warm water daily, especially with a small quantity of lemon in it, helps boost stamina and energy levels and keeps fatigue at bay.

Dr. Michael Green, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist from Lake Arrowhead, California, says,“There is no strict requirement to drink exclusively hot or cold water while pregnant, though many women prefer water at room temperature or slightly chilled. The most important thing is to drink plenty of it! As for hot drinkable liquids, they are safe to consume unless you’re drinking enough to raise your internal body temperature significantly. Don’t worry about drinking a hot cup of cocoa or herbal tea.

  • Warm water helps keep cold, cough, and flu at bay, which can help improve overall maternal health.

protip_icon Point to consider
Experts advise using water only from cold water taps for cooking and drinking. It is because the water from hot water taps is more likely to have higher lead levels. Lead content in the water can’t be reduced by boiling the water (1).

Caution

Is it safe to drink hot water during pregnancy? It should be remembered that your drinking water should be tepid or lukewarm, and not scalding hot. Hot or warm water from taps is considered unsafe and not recommended for drinking during pregnancy as this may contain lead and high mineral content, accumulated from the pipes it flows through (3).

It may stunt the physical and mental growth of your baby and can cause considerable damage to the developing lungs, brain, liver, nervous system, kidneys and red blood cells in your baby. You must always have filtered and boiled water to eliminate the risk of lead, unwanted minerals and also microbes from your drinking water.

Always have filtered and boiled water when pregnant
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to drink hot water with honey while pregnant?

Drinking hot water with pasteurized honey in moderate amounts may be safe during pregnancy.

2. Can hot water cause miscarriage during pregnancy?

No evidence suggests that drinking hot water may cause miscarriage during pregnancy. However, avoiding drinking water that is too hot is important, as it may lead to burns or scalding.

3. Can drinking hot water with ginger be beneficial during pregnancy?

Drinking hot water with ginger may be beneficial during pregnancy as ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and may help alleviate nausea and vomiting (4).

Staying hydrated during pregnancy is important as it helps remove toxins from the body and reduces the chances of nausea, cramps, and insufficient breast milk production. However, ensure not to consume hot water during pregnancy as it is not good and can affect your baby’s mental growth. Instead, warm water offers several benefits, such as relieving acidity, improving blood circulation, and treating cold and flu. Thus, it is advisable to have sufficient warm water while pregnant to ensure your fetus’s overall development.

Infographic: How Staying Hydrated Helps Pregnant Women

Regular water intake during pregnancy is recommended as it helps both the mother and the baby. You may need anywhere between nine and twelve cups of water to stay active throughout the day. Scroll through the infographic below to learn more about the benefits of staying hydrated when pregnant.

how staying hydrated helps pregnant women (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Key Pointers

  • Drinking warm water during pregnancy can have various health benefits, such as aiding digestion and reducing swelling.
  • Optimum hydration helps remove toxins from the body and reduces the chances of feeling nauseated.
  • It is recommended to avoid drinking water that is too hot, as it can lead to pregnancy complications.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Dehydration During Pregnancy American Pregnancy Association
    https://americanpregnancy.org/womens-health/dehydration-pregnancy/
  2. 6 Ways Drinking Hot Water Helps Your Body Bluecross Blueshield Federal Employee Program
    https://www.fepblue.org/news/2019/09/24/15/35/6-ways-drinking-hot-water-helps-your-body
  3. Lead poisoning World Health Organization
    https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health
  4. Ginger Benefits
    hhttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ginger-benefits
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