Pregnant women: avoid excessive ice water

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Extract from the article: La grossesse est l’un des moments les plus délicats de la vie d’une femme. Souvent on constate que certaines femmes enceintes consomment en excès de l’eau glacée. D‘après des scientifiques, cela peut avoir des conséquences sur l’immunité de la femme

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Pregnancy is one of the most delicate times in a woman's life. Some pregnant women are often found to drink too much ice water. According to scientists, this can have consequences for the immunity of the woman and the foetus.

Some pregnant women, driven by hormones, have urges to drink ice water regularly. Many people believe that if a pregnant woman drinks cold water, the baby is more likely to develop pneumonia, asthma and many other respiratory diseases. This belief is really unfounded, because there is no direct link between the intestines and the womb, and everything that passes to the baby passes through the placenta. There are no scientific studies to date that show a direct correlation between ice water consumption, fetal macrosomia (large baby) and postpartum haemorrhage. The causes of haemorrhage and macrosomia should be sought elsewhere than ice water consumption. For example, gestational diabetes, parental morphology, family history.

However, it is important to know that ice water itself, especially when it is very cold (with ice cubes in it, as you like it there), is not recommended for everyone in general. It is less hydrating, bad for the stomach and promotes fat accumulation, and therefore weight gain. In the case of pregnant women, the baby will not be affected by this weight gain, as the mother's body will have already processed this water before it reaches her.

According to scientists, "ice water" (stored in the refrigerator) does not pose a risk of bleeding or a large foetus during delivery. What should be avoided is the consumption of excessively "icy" water, even water with ice cubes. This is generally harmful to the health of the pregnant woman. This habit can strain the immune system. Ice cubes are also less hydrating to the body and bad for the stomach. It also promotes the accumulation of fat and thus allows excessive weight gain.

The well-being of the mother, the delivery and the health of the foetus depend on a balanced diet. With this in mind, it is important for a woman to follow a rich and varied diet to protect and strengthen the mother's body during this sweet waiting period.

Joseph GANGUI

Article validated by Dr. Dédé Kafui Améwoui, Obstetrician Gynecologist, Head of the Group Medicale-Lomé clinic