Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life. For most women, it is also a very memorable experience.
For the majority of pregnancies, there are no major complications or concerns regarding the health of the mother or the fetus. However, for some pregnancies, there are issues that require extra care and attention.
One issue that requires extra care and attention is gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. This happens during pregnancy due to insulin resistance.
Because insulin resistance occurs due to the growing fetus needing more nutrients, gestational diabetes is only diagnosed during pregnancy. Once you have given birth, your health care professionals check your blood glucose levels again to see if you had gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
This article will discuss when to start drinking okra water during pregnancy for increased urinary concentration to help prevent nighttime bathroom trips.
Benefits of drinking okra water
Besides being a way to keep yourself hydrated, drinking water has several benefits. For example, it can help you manage your weight as you gain weight during pregnancy.
Drinking the recommended amount of water per day (about 2 liters) can also reduce your chances of developing urinary tract infection (UTI).
Urinary tract infection is usually caused by the bacteria entering the urinary tract from the vagina.
Preventing this requires good vaginal and bladder hygiene, which can be achieved through frequent bathroom visits and dry pants.
However, both of these measures are difficult when you are extremely thirsty. Thus, the best way to prevent UTI is by constantly drinking water to offset this thirst.
Where to buy okra water
If you would like to buy okra water, you can do so at certain stores and online shops. Most grocery stores that carry fresh produce sell bottled water, and you can either buy one of those bottles or purchase a new one to fill with filtered water.
You can also purchase bottled water from a nearby store or gas station, or even Walmart if you do not live close to a grocery store. Amazon also sells bottled water, so if you are an Amazon Prime member, you can get it delivered to your house!
It is perfectly safe to buy bottled water from anyone outside of the early stages of pregnancy, as the fetus does not have any developed organs yet to be affected by the water. You can buy as much as you want!
If you find yourself needing more water later in pregnancy, try keeping a reusable bottle on hand so that you are not constantly buying new bottles every time you run out.
Making your own okra water
If you would like to make your own okra water, all you need to do is gather your supplies and make it! You will need a gallon of pure water, 1–2 cups of fresh or dried okra, and a pan to cook the okra in.
Start by pouring the gallon of water into a clean container then add in the dried or fresh okra. Let this sit for at least 8 hours so that the juice can be extracted from the okra.
Next, strain out the liquid and pour it into a bottle or container with a lid. Store in the fridge until you are ready to drink it. It is recommended to drink it within 24 hours after making it.
You can also add some lemon or lime juice to flavor it if you would like. Just don’t let it sit for too long or else it may become sour.
Should I drink it if I’m not pregnant?
If you are not pregnant, okayra water is still a good idea! There is no evidence that says it is harmful to anyone who is not pregnant. In fact, it may be helpful to those who are not pregnant.
Overall health depends on many factors, and one of the most important is healthy gut health.
Healthy gut health means having healthy bacteria and fungi in your digestive system. These bugs play an important role in regulating your immune system, metabolism, weight loss/gain, and more.
By drinking okayra water twice a week, you are helping to boost the health of your gut and therefore your overall health.
What else can I do to help with pregnancy ailments?
Aside from drinking okra water, you can also try eating foods that are high in folic acid. Most people know about folate, or leafy green vegetable consumption, but few know about folic acid.
Many foods contain folic acid, including whole-grain breads and breakfast cereals, orange juice and tofu. If you are looking to up your intake of folate, try having a salad with olive oil instead of dressing or using cooked greens as a side dish.
You can also drink coffee or tea while you are pregnant, although you should probably avoid alcohol and super-strong drinks like cold coffee with whiskey in it.
Is it safe to drink during pregnancy?
Although there is no conclusive evidence that consuming water infused with okra benefits pregnant women, many believe it can aid in keeping hydrated and healthy.
However, it is important to remember that no diet regimen should replace the nutritional needs provided by a well-balanced diet. For this reason, it is best to avoid eating large amounts of only raw foods while pregnant.
In addition, there are risks associated with ingesting contaminated food, which can be a concern with raw foods. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before altering their diets in any significant way.
Drinking raw water may cost less than bottled or purified water, but your health should be your top priority when considering any change to your drinking habits.
What are the signs of dehydration in pregnancy?
If you are pregnant, you should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of dehydration. If you are experiencing them, it is important to take action fast to remedy the situation.
Generally speaking, if you are feeling thirsty more often than usual, or your urine is very dark yellow or orange in color, then it’s a good idea to drink more fluids.
However, this can also be a sign of dehydration, so it’s best to not ignore these symptoms.
Additionally, if you feel light-headed or dizzy, your skin is dry and flaky, your mouth and lips are dry, and you feel very tired and sleepy all the time, then you should definitely try to get some water into you.
If these symptoms continue for a few hours or days, then medical attention is needed. You could be having preeclampsia (pree-el-lamps-ee-uh) or preterm labor (PTL) which require medical treatment.
How much should I drink?
Ideally, you should drink one liter of water for every two kilograms (four pounds) of body weight. You should also keep in mind that fruits and vegetables are made up of a good deal of water, so you can account for that in your total volume goal.
You can check your body weight using a bathroom scale, although most people know how much they weigh. If you do not know your total body weight, then one way to estimate the amount of water you need to drink is by checking the color of your urine.
A clear or bright yellow color indicates that you are well hydrated and do not need to drink more water at that time. If the color is a darker yellow or orange, then you need to increase your water intake.
Keep in mind that drinking too much water is just as bad as not drinking enough. If you experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea as a result of increased water intake, please contact your doctor.
