Congratulations! Pregnancy is an exciting time because your body is supporting your developing baby in amazing ways. In addition to all the positive changes, you may end up disregarding some less pleasant ones, such as swelling in your hands, ankles or feet.
But how do you know when swelling is just a normal part of pregnancy and when it’s something to be concerned about? If you're noticing anything unusual or beyond typical pregnancy symptoms, don’t worry—we’re here to guide you step by step to ensure you stay healthy.
Simply put, edema is swelling brought on by excess fluid that becomes trapped in your body's tissues. Pregnancy causes your body to retain more fluids than normal, which makes it softer and allows it to grow to make room for the baby.
This fluid also helps in preparing your pelvis and other tissues for labour. Therefore, even though it might not feel great, some swelling is a normal and essential aspect of pregnancy.
Several reasons could cause pregnancy edema, particularly in the feet and ankles:
● Your body produces about 50% more blood and fluids during pregnancy to keep up with your baby’s needs.
● As your baby gets bigger, the pressure slows down circulation, which makes it harder for blood to flow back up from your lower body.
● Pregnancy hormones encourage your body to retain more fluid.
● If it’s warm outside, you may notice your swelling gets worse.
● When you stay in one position for too long, fluid tends to pool in your lower body.
A little bit of swelling is normal in the feet and ankles! You may experience mild swelling in the following situations:
● After standing or sitting for a long time
● In warm or humid weather
● More noticeably, in the last few weeks of pregnancy
If your swelling is light and annoying, take these simple suggestions:
● Put Your Feet Up: As much as possible, place your feet on a pillow or stool in a supported position.
● Stay Hydrated: Water intake, on the other hand, actually helps in expelling the accumulated extra fluids.
● Move Around Often: Don't stay seated or standing in a fixed position for long; go for short walks or stretch often.
● Wear Comfortable Shoes: Please avoid tight footwear and select a product with appropriate support.
● Cut Back on Salty Foods: Too much salt makes your body hold onto fluids.
● Wear Loose Clothing: Tight clothes can make swelling worse by restricting circulation.
● Sleep on Your Left Side: This position helps improve circulation and reduces swelling.
Although mild swelling is normal, certain signs could indicate a more serious issue, like hypertension in pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you notice any of the following:
● Your feet, hands or face swell up quickly, as this could be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition that affects blood pressure.
● Swelling in only one leg, especially with pain. This could be deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot that needs immediate attention.
● Swelling with high blood pressure, headaches or vision changes, as these could also be symptoms of preeclampsia.
● The swelling stays the same or gets worse despite resting. If this is the case, it’s best to check in with your doctor.
Sudden swelling in the hands and face are symptoms of preeclampsia, a serious disorder that usually appears after the twentieth week of pregnancy. It can be harmful to you and your unborn child if treatment is not received. Apart from the swelling, some other symptoms are:
● Excruciating headaches
● Seeing spots or having blurry eyesight
● Unexpected weight increase
● Breathlessness
Some women get postpartum edema when their bodies eliminate excess fluids just when they believe the swelling is over. The first few days after giving birth may even show significant edema! Don't worry, though; it should get better over a week. Staying active, consuming lots of water and keeping your feet high can all help hasten the process.
Edema cannot be prevented. However, there are still some measures that can be adopted to reduce it. Some tips for the management of swelling include:
● Stay Active: Circulatory stimulation may be delivered, for example, by walking or antenatal yoga.
● Eat A Balanced Diet: Foods high in potassium, including bananas and avocados, are protective against fluid imbalances in the body.
● Drink Plenty of Water: Staying hydrated helps your body flush out excess fluids.
● Don’t Cross Your Legs When Sitting: This can restrict circulation.
● Wear Compression Socks: These can provide extra support and improve blood flow.
During pregnancy, swelling is typical and usually perfectly natural. This additional fluid is only a byproduct of your body's hard work to nourish your developing baby. But always follow your intuition. Do not hesitate to contact your physician if something does not seem quite right.
You're doing a fantastic job sustaining your baby within your womb, and your body is changing in wonderful ways to cope with this! Be kind to yourself, stay as comfortable as possible, and remember, you’ve got this!
Edema is swelling that arises from an excess of fluid in the body. During pregnancy, the female body retains more fluids to support the baby within the uterus, and pressure from the growing uterus, which can reduce the rate of fluid flow, can lead to more noticeable swelling in the patient.
Mild swelling is, in fact, normal and should not be of great concern unless there are signs, such as sudden swelling in your face, hands or legs, that require rushing to the doctor. If swelling is only occurring in one leg with leg pain, it should again be brought to the doctor straight away. If the swelling does not go down with rest, it should again be referred urgently.
Swelling, which is marked by high blood pressure, headaches, blurred vision or an increase in weight, can be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition that needs immediate medical attention.
Please use your feet for as long as needed, take a lot of water on a regular basis, keep active and do not move for too long, wear highly comfortable shoes, avoid eating foods with high levels of salt, and ensure that you sleep on your left side to improve circulation.
