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Find out what causes swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy, what you can do to ease it, and when you need to see a doctor.
- Pre-Eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant...
- Pre-Eclampsia
Swelling (oedema) remedies: photos. Medically reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner. Written by Joanne Lewsley. Swollen feet, ankles and hands are very common in pregnancy and can be uncomfortable.
- Overview
- What causes swelling during pregnancy
- Symptoms of normal pregnancy swelling
- Concerning symptoms related to swelling
- Prevention tips
- The takeaway
In the early pregnancy, you may beam from the inside out with bright, rosy skin and hair that brilliantly glistens for days. Then, one day, something takes the wind out of your prego-beauty sails — you look down and don’t even recognize the two extremely puffy cankles beneath you.
Unfortunately, swelling falls into that perfectly normal category of pregnancy side effects. In fact, most expecting mamas experience it. But why?
Let’s look at what causes swelling during pregnancy and offer some tips to beat the bloat with comfort and confidence.
And, a note of caution: There are a few instances in which swelling during pregnancy is concerning. We’ll also explain when it could be a sign of a more serious health condition.
During pregnancy, your body does some pretty herculean things, and there’s a lot that, well, increases. One of them is the sheer amount of fluid in your body. While pregnant, your total body water volume can increase by up to 8 liters— that’s over 33 cups!
Meanwhile, your plasma volume leaps 30 to 50 percent, which means your total blood volume increases as well.
So, where does all that fluid go? Good question.
Some of the water stays within your cells to help them function. The rest accumulates outside of your cells to enhance oxygen delivery, clear waste, and control electrolyte flow.
The increase in plasma is in response to the growing needs of the placenta and your maternal organs, as your blood volume increases to deliver all that your baby needs to develop.
As your little one inches closer to birth in the third trimester, your blood volume reaches its peak. Hint: That’s why your swelling (among other slight unpleasantries) can peak around this time.
It’s completely normal to shed a little tear the day your rings and favorite heels don’t fit anymore (sigh). A little gradual swelling in your fingers, legs, ankles, and feet throughout pregnancy is part of the journey.
You may find that your swelling tends to worsen toward the end of the day. This is because the extra fluid in your body can gather in the parts of your body farthest from your heart. A hotter, humid day or a lot of standing can contribute to some normal swelling, too.
We know every mama bear wants to know when to panic. The answer? Never. Panicking only boosts your emotional and physical stress. Instead, feel empowered by learning when to call your OB-GYN or midwife about swelling.
The two most concerning conditions during pregnancy that can cause swelling are preeclampsia and a blood clot.
First thing to remember: These conditions aren’t common, but the risk is real during pregnancy. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of them.
Secondly, swelling associated with these conditions is different than the normal, gradual swelling you may experience over the course of your pregnancy.
Reducing normal pregnancy swelling is nice but not always possible — and that’s OK.
It’s more important to do what you can to prevent serious complications like preeclampsia and blood clots. Again, though, prevention isn’t always possible and early recognition is key. That said, here are some tips that might decrease your risk.
If growing feet coincide with your growing belly, you’re certainly in very good company. There’s a normal level of swelling that affects most expecting ladies.
Normal swelling can peak in the third trimester, affecting the legs mostly. Some simple elevation and R&R with a big glass of water may be all that you need to calm your cranky cankles.
In rarer cases, swelling is a sign of something more serious. If swelling affects only one leg and is accompanied by pain, redness, or warmth, a blood clot could be a concern, and you should call your doctor.
If you experience sudden or gradually worsening swelling in your face, around your eyes, or in your hands accompanied by high blood pressure, call your doctor immediately. This could be a symptom of preeclampsia, which requires immediate treatment to protect you and baby.
Many women experience swollen feet during pregnancy. Read about the causes of swollen feet during pregnancy and the treatments and home remedies.
- Reduce sodium intake. One way to reduce swelling during pregnancy is to limit your sodium (salt) intake. Salt makes your body hold on to extra water.
- Increase potassium intake. Not getting enough potassium can also make swelling worse. This is because potassium helps your body balance the amount of fluids it holds onto.
- Reduce caffeine intake. While occasional caffeine during pregnancy isn’t harmful (and hey, a person’s gotta stay awake!) , drinking too much caffeine isn’t considered great for a baby.
- Drink more water. As strange as it sounds to drink more water to counteract swelling, it actually works. If your body thinks you’re dehydrated, it will hold on to even more fluid to try to compensate.
Jul 2, 2024 · Swollen feet or edema is common during pregnancy. It’s often caused by hormonal and fluid changes. It’s more common to experience swelling during the third trimester, but it may start around the fifth month. Contact your healthcare provider if the swelling suddenly appears or drastically changes.
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