Water prevents urinary tract, bladder, and kidney infections. When you're pregnant, your body produces extra estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that help nurture your fetus and prepare you for childbirth. These hormones also affect the bladder and kidneys. As a result, you feel the urge to urinate more frequently, but your relaxed bladder may not fully empty when you try to go. When urine sits in the bladder for too long, bacteria builds up, which can cause infections.
Water prevents pre-term contractions.
When your body doesn't get enough fluids, or you lose fluids while exercising or perspiring in hot weather, you can become dehydrated. When the body is dehydrated, the brain releases an anti-diuretic hormone very similar to pitocin, a hormone that speeds up labor. If you're pregnant, the hormones may trick your body into thinking it's time for labor and cause your uterus to contract. While these pre-term contractions rarely lead to labor, you may still need to go to the hospital to receive intravenous fluids for dehydration. Be sure to contact your health care provider if you experience pre-term contractions.