During pregnancy, most women have swollen ankles and feet. Concerns about swelling are understandable since it may be painful, make your shoes tighter, and make you ashamed. You may make yourself as comfortable as possible by being aware of what to look for and how to effectively handle it.
Why do women experience swelling during pregnancy?
When a woman is pregnant, she is more likely to feel swollen ankles, feet, and hips.
- Pregnancy causes you to create more blood than normal in order to aid the growth of your unborn child.
- As the baby develops, the uterus pulls on the veins in your legs, reducing blood flow.
- In order for your veins to function effectively, the walls of your veins are made softer by your hormones.
The reason for this is that your blood tends to pool there. In this area, a little quantity of blood escapes into the tissues via microscopic blood vessels, causing swelling.
Where and when will I get swelling?
Your feet and ankles should be the only parts of your body to swell. Even if your fingers swell a bit, it shouldn’t be noticeable enough that you can’t wear your rings anymore.
It’s probable that at the end of the day, your feet and ankles will be swollen. Gravity plays a major role here; if you’re on your feet a lot, any excess fluid in your body will end up in your feet and ankles.
Later in your pregnancy, you’re more likely to experience swelling.
Despite the fact that it isn’t hazardous to you or your kid, gradual swelling may be a nuisance.
How can I reduce swelling?
Doing a few easy things may make you feel better and help you avoid swelling.
Try to:
- remaining still for lengthy periods of time is to be avoided.
- Wear comfy shoes (avoid tight straps or anything that might pinch if your feet swell)
- As much as possible, put your feet up.
- eat less salty and saline items in your daily diet
- On the left side of the body when sleeping, blood may flow to the heart more easily.
- Regular activity, such as walking or swimming, helps to maintain your circulatory system running at its best.
It’s a good idea to get up and move about if you have to stand for lengthy amounts of time.
Swelling may be reduced by wearing compression stockings that aid blood flow to the heart. Massage and reflexology may also be helpful in reducing edoema and its accompanying symptoms.
Even though your swollen ankles are irritating you, don’t forget to stay hydrated. To prevent dehydration and maintain good health, drinking enough of fluids is a must.
Normal or abnormal swelling?
As most pregnant women may at some time experience, swollen feet and ankles are quite natural. Swelling, on the other hand, might be a sign of something more severe.
If you are experiencing any of the following:
- you wake up with swelling or it doesn’t go away after you take a nap
- Your face or hands have swelled up because of an illness.
- You’ve never experienced this much swelling before.
Pre-eclampsia, or high blood pressure associated with pregnancy, manifests itself in several ways. Call your doctor or midwife immediately if you or your baby are experiencing any of these symptoms. Don’t put it off until your next scheduled visit.
Deep vein thrombosis, for example, might be the cause of an abnormally enlarged leg as compared to the other. Contact your doctor or midwife right away if you have any concerns.
Most of the swelling that occurs during pregnancy is natural and will normally subside following the delivery of your child. In any case, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or midwife.
Call 1800 882 436 to chat to a maternal child health nurse from Pregnancy, Birth and Baby.
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When should I be concerned about swelling during pregnancy?
If swelling, discomfort, redness, or warmth are present in just one leg, you should see your physician immediately. In the event that you notice any sudden or progressively increasing swelling of the face or hands, as well as high blood pressure, contact your physician immediately.
What causes edema in pregnancy?
In pregnancy, edoema occurs when the amount of fluid in your tissues increases as a result of the increased blood flow and pressure of your growing uterus on pelvic veins and your vena cava (the large vein on the right side of your body that returns blood from your lower limbs) on the right side of your body.
What is normal edema in pregnancy?
Due to the increased production of blood and fluids by the body during pregnancy, swollen ankles and feet are common. People’s hands and feet are among the places where edoema (also known as swollen joints) is common.
