Athletes drink Gatorade to rehydrate because of the electrolytes it contains. If you’ve had the stomach flu, you might’ve done the same to prevent dehydration. And if you’ve been vomiting because of morning sickness, you might want to sip on something similar. But can pregnant women drink electrolytes?
Moreover, if not Gatorade or Powerade, can you drink Pedialyte during pregnancy? After all, it’s safe enough for children.
Let’s talk about how to rehydrate while pregnant.
Morning sickness can dehydrate you. Here’s how to fix it.
Drinking plenty of water (10 to 12 cups per day) prevents dehydration – usually. But frequent vomiting causes your body to lose more than liquid. It also loses electrolytes, which are the essential minerals that help your body stay hydrated.
You might recognize these electrolytes: calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, phosphate, and sodium. They keep your heart and nervous system functioning properly.
Beverages like Pedialyte, Gatorade, Powerade, and so on contain electrolytes like these so that your body can absorb water and stay regulated.
However, it’s not just dehydration and a lack of electrolytes that are threats. If you consume too many electrolytes, you can end up with other health issues (1).
So how do you stay hydrated without triggering nausea and vomiting?
- For one, sip, don’t gulp, fluids throughout the day. But don’t drink with meals because that can make the bloated feeling worse.
- Keep track of how much water you drink with a transparent water bottle. Use something with markings on it. Or set a reminder on your phone to drink water once every hour.
- Another option is to eat juicier food. Maybe it’s time to have soup, oatmeal, smoothies, or fresh fruits more often.
- Make electrolyte popsicles from a sports drink or Pedialyte to handle the bad days.
And please, talk to your doctor about your morning sickness because there are other solutions like anti-nausea medication.
What are the best electrolytes for pregnancy?
The typical electrolyte drink contains sugar, water, and salt and may have other electrolytes like potassium, phosphate, and magnesium. But wait a minute – glucose or sugar isn’t an electrolyte? Why is it there? The glucose helps transport electrolytes to where they’re needed (2).
Did you know that electrolytes also exist in fruit juice as well as fruit, milk, vegetables, and nuts? Putting avocado on your salad helps you maintain an electrolyte balance.
Also, Pedialyte is a good choice during pregnancy. It has sodium and sugar with zinc that are supposed to support the immune system. Unlike some commercial sports drinks, you shouldn’t have to dilute it with water.
Some expectant mothers like to use Pedialyte popsicles to help morning sickness. It helps to not drink liquid since drinking seems to trigger nausea. A nice, cold popsicle is easier to stomach (3).
Pedialyte Electrolyte Solution Freezer Pops
Here’s a good deal: a big pack of freezer pops in different flavors like grape, orange, cherry, and blue raspberry. Two popsicles is considered one serving with only 15 calories and 4 grams of carbs. They provide 100 mg of potassium, 160 mg of chloride, and 130 mg of sodium.
Can you drink Pedialyte if you’re not dehydrated?
For example, can you drink Pedialyte every day to prevent dehydration? It’s not a good idea to overdo it with the electrolytes because you can create an imbalance.
I know, some people drink Gatorade every day and seem fine. But if you’re wondering how much Pedialyte to drink while pregnant, I would talk to your doctor.
A nutritionist may also be helpful. They can go over your typical diet and prenatal vitamin to see if you’re already getting enough electrolytes.
Can pregnant women drink Gatorade?
Of course, pregnant women can drink Gatorade, Powerade, and similar sports drinks. But you’ll need to be cautious if you’re trying to avoid or manage gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Commercial drinks like these may be packed with lots of sugar and sodium. Also, make sure that the drink you choose doesn’t contain caffeine (4).
Although you can use Gatorade as an oral rehydration solution, experts recommend diluting it with equal amounts of water. The mix would be half water and half Gatorade (6).
When should you drink Pedialyte during pregnancy?
Electrolyte water doesn’t just help with morning sickness. It also helps the body recover from diarrhea and excess sweating. If it’s a hot day or you’ve been exercising, an electrolyte drink may be just what you need to feel better.
Pedialyte GoodSense Electrolyte Solution
I chose the unflavored version which isn’t very tasty but it works like a charm. On the bright side, it can be combined with fruit juice or plant-based milk.
Thankfully, there are flavored versions that taste a little nicer.
How do you know if you’re dehydrated?
Dehydration is a big problem during pregnancy. It’s not only harmful to the mother, but it’s also dangerous for the baby. That’s because your body uses water to make the placenta and transport nutrients. If there’s not enough amniotic fluid, the baby may have severe developmental issues. Then, after birth, dehydration leads to low or no breast milk (5).
- If you’re feeling thirsty, you’ve already started to become dehydrated.
- If your urine is dark yellow instead of clear, that’s another sign of dehydration.
- You might also experience a dry, sticky mouth, a headache, and dizziness.
- Even constipation is a sign of mild to moderate dehydration.
If you see any of these signs, stop and drink fluids. You don’t need to down the whole glass at once because your body might not be able to take it in and you’ll just end up peeing it out. Cool down, slow down, and sip.
Nevertheless, things may worsen if you continue to vomit, have diarrhea, or sweat. These are symptoms of severe dehydration that need medical attention right away: (5)
- Little or no urine or very dark urine
- Low blood pressure with a fast heartbeat and rapid breathing
- Irritability and confusion
- Sunken eyes and very dry skin (doesn’t bounce back when pinched into a fold)
Teach your partner about the signs of dehydration so that they can help you.
If I don’t have Pedialyte, what else can I drink to rehydrate?
If you don’t feel like making a trip to the store, no worries. You probably have the basic ingredients you need at home to make an electrolyte drink (6).
For example, the World Health Organization’s official oral rehydration recipe is as follows:
- 1 liter of water (about a quart)
- 3/8 tsp salt (sodium chloride)
- ¼ tsp Morton Salt Substitute (which is potassium chloride)
- ½ tsp baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 2 tbsp + 2 tsp sugar
It doesn’t taste all that great, so you might want to add some sort of flavoring like Kool-Aid powder.
A better option might be the orange juice oral rehydration solution:
- 4 ½ cups of water
- ¾ tsp salt
- 8 tsp sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened orange juice without pulp
Or the apple juice solution:
- 1 cup of apple juice
- 3 cups of water
- ½ teaspoon salt
Although you can make similar rehydration drinks with carbonated beverages like Sprite Zero, they contain gas which may make you feel worse.
Try something like DripDrop instead.
DripDrop ORS Hydration
I prefer this oral rehydration solution for adults to Pedialyte which was designed for children. For one, it ends up being cheaper. Second, it’s more nutritious than sports drinks because it has more electrolytes and less sugar.
Third, it comes in several flavors including Passionfruit, Açai, and Concord grape. You can even get a variety pack.
The powder is packed in individual serving sticks. All you need is 8 ounces of water to make it.
Lastly, the formula provides potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and zinc, too.
If there’s any downside, it’s that it contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener. If you drink too much of it, you might end up with the runs.
TRIORAL Rehydration Electrolyte Powder – WHO Hydration Supplement Salts Formula
This rehydration drink is approved by the World Health Organization and manufactured under strict standards for pharmaceutical products.
It contains potassium chloride, sodium chloride, trisodium citrate dehydrate, and glucose anhydrous. It ends up tasting a little salty, but it’s not so bad if you squeeze lemon juice into it.
The box comes with 50 packets and each one is good for 1 liter of water.
Kinderlyte Electrolyte Powder
Honestly, I prefer the powdered electrolyte solutions over the premade liquids because I’m not so worried about expiration dates. Furthermore, they are often less expensive.
This one is a powdered imitation of Pedialyte. It’s packaged in sticks that you stir into 16 ounces of water. Therefore, it’s perfect for putting into a water bottle.
It tastes pretty good. But the biggest draw is that it doesn’t have artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes in it. (Stevia extract is considered a natural sweetener).
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Similar to the product above, this rehydration powder is sweetened with Stevia and free from artificial flavors and colors. Add one packet to 16 ounces of water and it’s kind of like lemonade.
The brand says that its Cellular Transport Technology speeds up the absorption of water and electrolytes into the bloodstream. Moreover, it provides not only electrolytes, but also vitamins B3, B5, B6, B12, and C.
I also like that it’s made with non-GMOs and certified gluten-free. It’s surprising to me how many foods contain gluten besides the obvious ones made with flour.
Lastly, this manufacturer also donates its product to hospitals and communities in need.
Gatorade Original Thirst Quencher Variety Pack
Gatorade, Powerade, and all the assorted store brand knockoffs also have electrolytes to take care of dehydration. Nevertheless, it’s not a bad idea to dilute them with water. They won’t be quite as tasty, but that way they may be easier for your body to absorb. You can also freeze them as popsicles just like you can with Pedialyte.
I chose the Gatorade variety pack with fruit punch, orange, and lemon lime flavors. Each bottle has 140 calories with 12% of the sodium and 13% of the carbohydrates in a typical 2000-calorie diet. They have “natural flavors” and artificial colors. If you’re on a budget, this is a pretty inexpensive solution.
How can you be sure if you’re properly hydrated during pregnancy?
Have you heard of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)? It’s what smart scales use to compare muscle mass to fat. It can also detect the body water percentage.
It’s a tiny electrical current that travels through your body which is why people with pacemakers can’t use smart scales.
But the good news is that BIA has been used safely on pregnant women. Smart scales with BIA can help expectant mothers keep track of weight gain and their baby’s growth. Furthermore, it can also be used to detect dehydration (7).
In non-pregnant women, the normal amount of body water percentage is between 45 and 60%. Meanwhile, infants should be about 75% until about 1 year of age.
If you’re not sure if you’re drinking enough water (because it’s hard to tell when you’re going to the bathroom all the time), I’m not saying to run right out and buy a scale. Talk to your doctor first. Maybe they have one in the office so you can give it a try and see if it’s something that will help you manage dehydration.
Conclusion
I hope I answered your questions today about drinking Pedialyte and other electrolyte drinks during pregnancy. Feel free to ask me more questions or share your experience with oral rehydration solutions. Hopefully, we can help one another along the way.
In the meantime, I wish you and your baby the best of health and happiness.
Sources:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/electrolyte-disorders What you need to know about electrolyte disorders, published June 10, 2013
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolyte#Physiological_importance
3. https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/easy-peasy-queasy-morning-routines Home Remedies for Pregnancy Morning Sickness, by Dylan Campbell, Medically Reviewed by Rebecca Amaru, M.D. on October 21, 2021
4. https://www.pregnancyfoodchecker.com/are-gatorade-powerade-and-lucozade-safe-when-pregnant-sport-drinks-guide/ Are Gatorade, Powerade and Lucozade Safe When Pregnant? Sport Drinks Guide Written by Gina Waggott, Medically Reviewed by Janet Gordon RD, MBDA
5. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/dehydration Symptoms of Severe Dehydration During Pregnancy, by Jessica Timmons, Medically reviewed by Michael Weber, M.D., published on March 2, 2016
6. https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/comprehensive-wound-healing/oral-rehydration-solution-recipes Oral Rehydration Solution Recipes by Dartmouth Health
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8391189/ Obuchowska A, Standyło A, Kimber-Trojnar Ż, Leszczyńska-Gorzelak B. The Possibility of Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Pregnant and Postpartum Women. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021 Jul 30;11(8):1370. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics11081370. PMID: 34441305; PMCID: PMC8391189.