Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Daikundi warn that dehydration in mothers during pregnancy reduces blood flow and oxygen transfer to the fetus and increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, slowed fetal growth, urinary infections, severe constipation, and low blood pressure.
They emphasize that drinking enough water during pregnancy is vital not only for the health of the mother but also for the growth and survival of the fetus.
Despite these warnings, a number of pregnant women in Daikundi do not drink enough water due to a lack of awareness and limited access to safe drinking water. Habiba, a 21-year-old woman who is six months pregnant, says,
“I am currently six months pregnant. Because of household responsibilities and studying, I cannot drink water regularly. I drink about three or four glasses a day. Some days, the fetus’s movements decrease, and I always feel weak and thirsty. The doctor told me I should drink ten glasses of water a day, but I do not have the time.”
Kobra Salehi, a 37-year-old woman who is eight months pregnant, also says,
“I did not take it seriously. Whenever I felt thirsty, I drank water. I drank maybe two or three glasses a day. Sometimes the baby’s movements decreased, and I was afraid that the baby might have a problem. I always felt thirsty and weak. The doctor told me to drink more water, but I have a lot of household chores, and I forget.”
In some cases, this negligence has resulted in irreversible consequences, leaving women who discover a severe decrease in amniotic fluid during the final months of pregnancy with no option other than a cesarean section or prolonged hospitalization.
Fatima, a 23-year-old woman who was forced to undergo a cesarean section due to low amniotic fluid, says,
“When I was seven months pregnant, I found out that my baby had low amniotic fluid because the baby’s movements had decreased. I only drank water when I felt thirsty and mostly drank black tea. The doctor told me to drink plenty of water every day and avoid strong tea. In the end, I had to undergo a cesarean section because my baby was weak. I wish I had known earlier that drinking tea instead of water can be harmful.”
Faaeza Mohammad Hossain, a 25-year-old woman from Nili district, says,
“When I was six months pregnant, I noticed that the baby was not moving at all. I thought maybe the baby was no longer alive. I was very weak, had dizziness, and my lips were dry. The doctor said I had dehydration and that I should drink 7 to 8 glasses of water daily. I was even hospitalized for a week, and doctors said this situation could threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus. Now I try to drink water every day, but I still sometimes forget.”
Women in Daikundi are in a vulnerable situation due to poverty, limited access to safe water, long distances to health centers, daily responsibilities, and a lack of attention from their families, putting their health and the health of their fetuses at risk.
Raziya Ahmadi, an obstetrician and gynecologist, explains the benefits of water and the risks of dehydration during pregnancy, saying,
“Water is a vital source for the body, and its importance increases during pregnancy because both the mother and the fetus need it. If there is not enough water, blood flow and oxygen transfer to the fetus decrease, and its normal growth is disrupted. Pregnant women should drink 8 to 9 glasses of water during the first three months, 9 to 10 glasses during the second three months, and 10 to 12 glasses during the third three months.”
Aqela Mohammadi, another obstetrician and gynecologist, highlights the risks of dehydration during pregnancy for the fetus. She explains,
“Water is very important for pregnant women. Dehydration can cause weakness in the mother, increase the risk of miscarriage, and distract fetal growth. Women should drink at least 8 glasses of water daily, and this amount increases during the final months. Dehydration in pregnant women can also reduce amniotic fluid, and in severe cases, miscarriage or premature birth may occur.”
Drinking enough water during pregnancy is vital not only for the health of the mother but also for the growth and survival of the fetus. However, factors such as not drinking water regularly, replacing water with tea, waiting until feeling thirsty before drinking water, and not knowing how much water is needed during different stages of pregnancy can lead to dehydration, threatening the health of both the mother and the fetus.
Reporter: Shafiqa Mohammadi
