Electrolytes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of remarkable change for a woman’s body, and maintaining good health becomes even more crucial during this period. Electrolytes are crucial for many bodily functions and play an especially important role in supporting both the mother and the developing baby. 

Research suggests that our need for electrolytes increases during pregnancy, so Fertility and Pregnancy Nutritionist, Natasha Evans, is sharing what they are and how you can meet your daily needs.

Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help to regulate a range of vital functions within the body, including hydration, nerve function and muscle contraction. The five main electrolytes in the body are Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+) and Chloride (Cl-).

Pregnancy places increased demands on the body, and maintaining the balance of electrolytes becomes even more important. Here are some of the roles that electrolytes play for both the mother and baby during pregnancy:

• Hydration and Fluid Balance: Pregnancy increases the volume of blood and other bodily fluids - and therefore, careful management of hydration is required. Electrolytes help regulate the movement of water in and out of cells, tissues, and organs. Proper hydration supports the increased blood volume and aids in nutrient delivery to the baby. Insufficient electrolytes may contribute towards dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle cramps.

• Muscle and Nerve Function: Proper electrolyte balance may help to prevent common pregnancy issues like muscle cramps, by supporting the transmission of electrical signals between nerve cells and muscles.

• Reducing Risk of Preeclampsia: Sodium and potassium are essential in regulating blood pressure. In pregnancy, a woman’s blood pressure may fluctuate, and electrolyte imbalances may contribute to the development of high blood pressure (hypertension) or preeclampsia. Ensuring adequate intake of potassium, which helps counteract the effects of sodium, can help maintain blood pressure within a healthy range.

• Fetal Development: Electrolytes support a growing baby. For example, calcium is essential for the development of the baby’s bones and teeth, while magnesium supports the development of the baby’s muscles and nervous system. Therefore, inadequate levels of these electrolytes can hinder fetal development.

• Immune Support: Proper electrolyte balance supports the immune system - particularly important during pregnancy.

We can maintain a healthy electrolyte balance during pregnancy by being conscious of our dietary choices & plugging the gap with supplements. These are my top tips for how to make sure you’re getting sufficient electrolytes into the body:

1. Eat a Balanced Diet: electrolytes are naturally occurring in wholefoods. You can get sodium and chloride from using some good quality salt in your cooking. Potassium is found in many foods including bananas, oranges, spinach, potatoes and tomatoes. Calcium is found in dairy and dark leafy greens. Magnesium is found in nuts, dark leafy greens, shellfish and avocado. Coconut water is also a lovely natural source of electrolytes
   
2. Stay Hydrated: drinking enough water during pregnancy is essential, especially due to increased fluid requirements. Making sure you’re drinking 6-8 glasses of water (depending on the size of the glass) is important. Hydration can also come from herbal teas that are suitable in pregnancy. Avoid hydrating with soft drinks or sugary sports drinks. 
   
3. Consider taking electrolytes: adding extra electrolytes to your water may be helpful during pregnancy - especially during times when the body may be more prone to dehydration, for example from excessive vomiting, sweating or diarrhoea. Electrolyte supplementation can also be helpful if you’re filtering your water (a good idea to reduce toxic exposure during pregnancy), as filtering can help to remove the bad stuff from your tap water - but also the naturally occurring minerals
   
   

Electrolytes are essential for the health and wellbeing of both the mother and her baby. By ensuring a proper balance of electrolytes through diet, hydration, supplementation and careful monitoring, women can easily support their body’s increased demands during pregnancy.