I'm told that i can't take plain water during confinement otherwise the swelling of my tummy will not subside; we are only allowed to take red dates and longan drink. Is this true?

I don't think it's true, I did take water during confinement as I found it hard to drink the red date and longan drink everyday so far so good, no water retention at all. My sister in law on the other hand drank red date and longan water for her confinement and after that she was having serious water retention.