Swelling/edema in Pregnancy – herbyangel.com
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Swelling/edema in Pregnancy

Swelling/edema in Pregnancy

Swelling/edema in Pregnancy

Your body retains more fluid than usual during pregnancy. The problem is exacerbated by the growing pressure on the large veins in your back and the pressure your growing baby is putting on the veins in your leg. Swelling develops.

It is common for body parts to get swollen sometimes.In the final several months of pregnancy, it affects the ankles of around half of all pregnant women. Your fingers, as well as your face and lower back, may swell at times. In particular, if you spend a lot of time on your feet, the swelling in your legs typically worsens at the end of the day. At the lowest spot in your body, fluid tends to gather due to gravity. Edema, a disorder caused by an increase in blood volume and bodily fluids, is a common pregnancy side effect that frequently manifests as swollen feet. It is a sign that too much fluid has accumulated in the body's tissues.

Blood flow to the lower body parts may be affected because the developing uterus puts a lot of pressure on the inferior vena cava, which during pregnancy transports blood from the legs and other lower body parts to the heart to be oxygenated. "Edema/swelling" in the legs during pregnancy is caused by poor blood circulation. 

Management:

  1. Continue to drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and reduce water retention by excreting extra fluid.
  2. Soak the feet for two minutes in warm salt water to remove any excess fluid that has accumulated in the tissues.
  3. Reduce your caffeine consumption. Caffeine use during pregnancy is not advised because it can worsen the condition of water retention.
  4. Keep your feet elevated throughout the day to maintain healthy blood circulation. This is especially important when you're pregnant. The elevated position aids in minimizing fluid buildup in the feet.
  5. Oil Massage: Massaging swollen feet promotes blood flow throughout the body and helps the body flush out extra fluid from the tissues. Additionally, it soothes achy muscles and joints.
  6. Engage in gentle exercise. Yoga Asanas are essential during pregnancy to improve health blood flow throughout the body and avoid fluid buildup in the feet and legs. Women who are pregnant should watch out for too-vigorous activity.
  7. Foods high in potassium - Intake of foods high in potassium is also very helpful for treating swollen feet during pregnancy. By eliminating sodium from the body, meals with a high potassium content help alleviate water retention. Bananas, figs, kiwis, papayas, potatoes, lettuce, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and cabbage are a few of the readily available foods high in potassium.
  8. Intake of certain fruits - Due to their natural diuretic properties, apples, oranges, and watermelon can also be beneficial for reducing the situation of water retention during pregnancy. Oranges are highly healthy citrus fruits that are helpful in balancing the electrolytes in the body, and the water content in watermelon keeps the body adequately hydrated and reduces swelling in the feet. Apples assure kidney function and aid in the efficient evacuation of excess fluid from the body. 

Prevention tips:

  • Reduce your consumption of salt (sodium) and avoid prolonged standing and hot weather.
  • Don't wear high heels; instead, put on comfortable shoes.
  • Steer clear of wearing clothing that is too tight around the wrists or feet.
  • On swollen areas, apply cold compresses.
  • Call your doctor. It's essential to keep in mind that while some degree of edema, or swelling of the feet caused by fluid retention, is normal during pregnancy but excessive swelling may be a sign of other problems, notably a condition known as "pre-eclampsia." Therefore, it is advised to see a doctor right away if you have significant edema in your hands or feet, a swollen face, or puffy eyes.

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