The swelling, or edema, is from excess fluid that gathers in your body tissues. It’s normal to have a certain amount of swelling during pregnancy, especially in your ankles and feet, since you’re keeping more water. Modifications in your blood chemistry likewise move fluid into your tissue.
Also, your growing uterus puts pressure on your pelvic veins and your vena cava (the big vein on the right side of the body that brings blood from your lower limbs back to the heart). The pressure slows the return of blood from your legs, causing it to pool and force fluid from your veins into the tissues of your feet and ankles.
That’s why you’re most likely to establish edema during the 3rd trimester. It may be especially severe for women with excessive amniotic fluid or those carrying multiples. Edema also has the tendency to be worse at the end of the day and during the summertime.
After you provide your baby, the swelling will disappear pretty rapidly as your body eliminates the extra fluid. You may discover yourself peeing often and sweating a lot in the first days after giving birth.
Problem With Leg Swelling During Pregnancy
It’s normal to have a moderate quantity of edema in the ankles and feet during pregnancy, and you may also have moderate swelling in your hands. But call your doctor if you discover any of these signs of preeclampsia:
- Facial swelling
- Puffiness around your eyes
- More than moderate swelling of your hands
- Extreme or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles
Call your company immediately if one leg is substantially more swollen than the other, particularly if you have pain or inflammation in your calf or thigh, due to the fact that this might signify an embolism.
Removing Leg Swelling
You can minimize swelling during pregnancy by resting on your side to alleviate the increased pressure on your veins. Here are some other tips to reduce swelling:
- Put your feet up whenever possible. At work, keep a stool or pile of books under your desk.
- Don’t cross your legs or ankles while sitting.
- Stretch your legs often while sitting: Stretch out your leg, heel first, and carefully flex your foot to extend your calf muscles. Turn your ankles and wiggle your toes.
- Take regular breaks from sitting or standing. Frequent short walks will keep your blood from pooling in your lower extremities.
- Wear comfy shoes that stretch to accommodate swelling in your feet.
- Don’t wear socks or stockings that have tight bands around the ankles or calves.
- Wear waist-high maternity support stockings. Put them on prior to you rise in the morning so blood doesn’t have a chance to pool around your ankles.
- Drink a lot of water. Surprisingly, this helps your body keep less fluid. Attempt to have about 10 8-ounce cups of water or other hydrating drinks each day. (You can inform you’re getting enough if your urine looks pale yellow or clear.).
- Workout regularly. Activities like walking, swimming, or riding a stationary bicycle ready choices. Or try a water aerobics class – being immersed in water may decrease swelling briefly, particularly if you’re in the water as much as your shoulders.
- Eat a healthy diet and limitation junk food.
Try not to let the swelling get you down. The sight of your swollen ankles might add to your feeling of ungainliness, but edema is a temporary condition that will pass not long after you give birth.
