This work was done to access the thirst perception and fluid intake of pregnant women in the three trimesters of pregnancy in pregnant women. The study was divided into two main groups Group 1 was made up of euhydrated pregnant women while group 2 was made up of dehydrated pregnant women. For the group 1, a total of thirty pregnant women were used, ten in each trimester of pregnancy. The subjects had water ad libitum. For the group 2, a total of seventy five pregnant women, twenty five in each trimester of pregnancy were dehydrated for eighteen hours. Thirst perceptions were taken 8am the following morning using the visual analogue scale of Thompson et al., (1986). Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed for electrolyte concentrations. Plasma osmolality was estimated using the formula of Leonard (2003). Results for group 1, showed statistically significant increase (p<0.05) in the thirst perception in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy when compared with the non-pregnant women. The volume of water intake till satiety was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the third trimester of pregnancy when compared with non-pregnant women. The increases in volume of water intake in first and second trimesters were not statistically significant. Results for group 2, showed that thirst perception was significantly higher (P<0.05) in pregnant women when compared with non-pregnant women. The thirst perception was significantly increased in the three trimesters of pregnancy when compared with non- pregnant women. The volume of water intake was significantly increased (p<0.05) in the first, second and third trimesters in pregnant women when compared with the non-pregnant women. Our result reveals a significant drop (p<0.05) in plasma osmolality in the pregnant women when compared with the non- pregnant women.. Conclusively, this research has been able to establish that there is decrease in plasma osmolality, but increase in thirst perception, in the three trimesters of pregnancy.
Keywords: Fluid Intake, Thirst Perception, Trimester, pregnancy
