 According to a report released on June 18, 2013, special accommodations for pregnant women are often met with firm opposition from employers. It happened back in 2007 when a then 18-year old pregnant woman named Heather Myers was fired from her Walmart job for drinking water from a bottle. Even though she was clearly pregnant and according to her worker orientation meeting, drinking on the job, providing it is water, is acceptable for employees. However, in this case, the supervisor changed the rule and said that drinking water during work required a doctor's note. Myers, intending to comply with the new rule, got the doctor's note as requested. But then a new rule came into effect by the supervisor which stated that only fountain water was acceptable and that drinking from a water bottle was not. Urinary tract infections are common during pregnancy and other reasons aside, require more need for hydration for the expected mother At this time Myers had a urinary tract infection which required her to drink water more frequently. Her ultimatum was to either not hydrate (unless by fountain) or leave. She left and sued. In general, some places of business offer more courtesies to pregnant workers. For example, they are allowed to take more frequent bathroom breaks, and are able to sit at posts where they might normally stand. On top of that, they are allowed, as they should be, to drink water more often. Why is hydration important during pregnancy? Since human blood is made up primarily by the water that we consume and since the volume of blood is to increase by as much as 40 percent during pregnancy, regular and extra water intake is necessary. The fluid, when pregnant or not, is responsible for carrying nutrients to cells and taking toxins away. Other factors: The one quart or so of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby needs to be replaced every few hours Proper hydration regulates body temperature Dehydration can trigger uterine contractions, leading to premature labor The bottom line is that proper hydration is required to maintain a healthy pregnancy. 