Pregnancy

Swelling during Pregnancy

Many pregnant women are concerned about swelling during pregnancy, although it is a normal part of pregnancy, not all of them experience it. Because the body produces approximately 50% more blood and body fluids to meet your baby's needs, swelling occurs as a result of additional blood and fluids produced along the way.

During pregnancy, pregnant women are generally more thirsty, so more fluids are consumed contributing to the swelling as well. All these changes are as normal as they are necessary. During this stage of your life, you will experience more fluids circulating in your body and dilation in the blood vessels, particularly notorious in the lower extremities.

Normal swelling is also called edema, and typically occurs in the feet, ankles, legs, hands and face. Your body uses this extra fluid as a softener enabling itself to expand as the baby develops, preparing the pelvic tissues and joints for opening up during labor and delivery.

It is estimated that extra fluids in pregnant women are approximately 25% of the overall weight gained during pregnancy. The excess of fluids are necessary, you should not restrict the intake of fluids, and drink plenty of water, fruits juice or milk every on a daily basis, to keep the kidneys functioning properly.

Do not cross your legs and keep them elevated whenever possible to improve renal blood flow and reduce pressure on the iliac veins and the inferior vena cava, allowing the blood to get back up and not pool in the extremities. Lie down on your left side as much as possible not just at night, but also throughout the day for 30-minutes at a time.

Swelling is a discomfort that can be reduced by including in your diet foods high in potassium, including bananas, avoiding by all means caffeine. You can manage swelling during your pregnancy, by avoiding standing for long periods of time and minimizing your outdoor activities when the weather is hot.

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to help flush the body, reduce water retention and minimize the intake of sodium, the main source of sodium is salt, which retains fluids, so avoid adding it to meals. Rest with your feet elevated, have your legs massaged, and avoiding clothing that are so tight around your ankles or wrists.

Remember to remove your rings before your fingers swell, and wear supportive tights or stockings with comfortable shoes, avoiding high heels.

Swelling may occur at any time during your pregnancy, but it more noticed around the 5th month, increasing when your third trimester approaches.