The following factors can also affect edema during pregnancy:

• Varicose disease
• Summer heat
• Standing for a long time
nine0003 Prolonged physical activity
• Low potassium diet
• High caffeine intake
• High sodium intake

Moderate swelling occurs during normal pregnancy, however, if you feel a sudden swelling of your hands and face, this may be a sign of preeclampsia.

Pregnancy and thrombosis

Severe swelling of the distal lower extremities may be due to thrombosis. In these cases of sudden swelling, it is important to see a doctor immediately. nine0014

What can I do to get rid of swelling during pregnancy?

Swelling during pregnancy can be reduced by eating high potassium foods such as bananas, dried apricots, prunes and by limiting caffeine.
Here are some more helpful tips for managing swelling during pregnancy:

• Avoid prolonged standing.
• Minimize your time outside in hot weather.
nine0003 Rest with your legs elevated.
• Wear comfortable shoes, avoiding high heels if possible.
• Wear special compression stockings or stockings.

Pregnancy Compression Stockings

• Avoid clothing that is tight around your wrists or ankles.
• Relax or take a dip in the pool.
• Use cold compresses on swollen areas.
• Drink water that stimulates the kidneys and helps reduce water retention. nine0004
• Minimize sodium (salt) intake and avoid adding salt to food.

Pregnancy Swelling Prevention

These simple guidelines will help reduce swelling during pregnancy and make this period more comfortable and safe.

Questions from patients about edema and pregnancy

What to do with swelling of the legs during pregnancy?

Edema during pregnancy is most often a physiological phenomenon, but often a sign of serious clinical situations. It is important to tell your doctor, a gynecologist, about the edema that bothers you. It makes sense to consult a phlebologist in order to exclude the pathology of the veins of the lower extremities. nine0014

How to deal with swelling during pregnancy?

Combating edema during pregnancy will help adhere to a certain regimen, indicated above. It is also necessary to follow the recommendations of your obstetrician-gynecologist and phlebologist.

Can swelling be avoided during pregnancy?

It is almost impossible to completely avoid swelling during pregnancy. You should pay attention to the regimen and follow the recommendations of your doctor. Also, it is useful to pay attention to the dynamics of edema, its symmetry. If in doubt, voice them to the doctor. nine0014

Which doctor should I go to if swelling occurs during pregnancy?

If edema occurs during pregnancy, you need to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist, as well as a phlebologist.

Are swelling during pregnancy dangerous?

Physiological swelling is inevitable during pregnancy. However, swelling should be kept under control and if in doubt seek medical attention.

what to do and how to get rid of edema in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters

Edema occurs during pregnancy in a relatively high percentage of women: moderate edema occurs in 50–80% of pregnant women with normal pregnancies (1). Often they indicate an excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the body or a violation of the outflow of blood from the pelvic organs - this should not be feared. But there are cases when swelling is the result of health problems. In this case, both the condition of the mother and the condition of the baby are at risk. It is important to consult a specialist in a timely manner and not self-medicate. nine0014

What are the types of edema

Edema during pregnancy is divided into physiological and pathological. The former are considered natural and do not pose a health hazard. But pathological edema speaks of problems with various organs: for example, the kidneys or the thyroid gland. We will talk about the physiological edema of various parts of the body.

Swelling of the legs

The legs most often begin to swell after the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. Severe swelling is noticeable on the calves, ankles and feet: the upper part of the legs almost never swells. Pregnant women may also experience an increase in leg size due to swelling. This happens under the action of the hormone relaxin, which is responsible for the relaxation of the ligaments. Due to its release, the distance between the ligaments becomes larger and the feet swell a little. (2)

Edema of the face

They are caused by an increase in the level of estrogen in the blood. This hormone is responsible for sexual development, reproductive function and the skeletal system. Facial swelling becomes more noticeable when the level of estrogen becomes higher than normal: the nose, lips, and upper part of the face may swell. But if a pregnant woman has severe swelling under her eyes, this is a reason to seek the advice of a specialist. The so-called bags under the eyes can indicate problems in the functioning of the kidneys. nine0014

Edema of the hands

Quite often, swelling of the hands appears in the third trimester of pregnancy. A woman cannot wear rings, there is a strong tension when clenching her fists, and after sitting work, her hands become very numb. The duration of the manifestation of edema is individual, but if there is, for example, swelling of the hands and face that cause discomfort, you should consult a doctor.

Edema of mucous membranes and skin

A pregnant woman may experience difficulty in breathing without other accompanying symptoms. Mucosal edema is not so common, but it still happens: with a physiological manifestation, you should not be afraid of it. The mucous membranes also swell due to the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular space. A similar thing happens with the skin: traces of clothing remain on it, and the skin itself looks loose and devoid of moisture. If the swelling of the skin covers a large area, and when pressed, a distinct hole remains, it is necessary to visit a specialist. nine0014 Photo: pixabay.com

In these cases, swelling is a natural condition that accompanies pregnancy. But swelling can be the cause of the development of serious diseases. Therefore, it is important to start treatment on time in order to prevent the threat to the life of the mother and child.

When edema occurs

In the first three months of pregnancy, a woman in most cases does not experience edema: they begin to appear in the second and third trimester.

Second trimester

Puffiness appears on the arms, legs and face, most often the hands suffer from edema from 13 to 28 weeks. Fluid retention is often reflected in the face. Swelling appears on the cheeks, nose and upper eyelids. It is necessary to monitor how much fluid is consumed and how much is excreted: if there is very little urine, you should consult a doctor. Such a condition may indicate not only puffiness, but also toxicosis of the second trimester. nine0014

- Edema can appear both in early and later pregnancy due to venous-lymphatic insufficiency. During pregnancy, a restructuring of the hormonal background occurs, progesterone disrupts vascular permeability, and as a result, water is retained in the tissues. Most often, the arms and legs swell, from where it is harder for fluids to return, - adds Nina Antipova, obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist .

Third trimester

From the beginning of the seventh month of pregnancy until the ninth month, a woman may experience swelling of the extremities: but most often it is, of course, the legs. The shins, ankles, calves swell much more strongly in the afternoon, with strong pressure, a slightly noticeable fingerprint is formed. Such edema is aggravated by hot weather, eating salty foods, and prolonged standing. nine0014

What to do if edema occurs

Physiological edema affects no more than two areas of the body. For example, hands and feet, or swelling of the eyelids and feet. Usually such edema is not very pronounced and subsides by the next day. In this case, you do not need to worry and consult a doctor: the puffiness will subside on its own. (3)

If a woman feels that breathing is difficult, or edema appears in the early morning and does not disappear the next day, the amount of urine begins to decrease sharply, and weight, on the contrary, increases, it is worth going to a specialist for a consultation. nine0014 Photo: @shvets-production, pexels.com

How to get rid of edema

With natural manifestations of edema, it is important to monitor nutrition, do not include a lot of fried and fatty foods in the diet, limit salty intake. In case of swelling of the legs, it is worth spending less time in a standing position, giving them a rest.

If it is possible to perform light exercises, do exercises, then it is worth paying attention to physical activity. Despite the fact that during edema water accumulates in the body, it is important for a pregnant woman to drink enough liquid - 1.5-2 liters of purified water. Compression underwear will also help get rid of edema, which alleviates symptoms and helps not only with swelling, but also with varicose veins. nine0014

Medicines may only be used during pregnancy with the permission of a doctor. Therefore, in the event of an increase in symptoms or their prolonged manifestation, you should not drink pills on your own: they should be prescribed by a specialist.

Popular questions and answers

Popular questions were answered by Nina Antipova, obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist, hemostasiologist at REMEDI Reproduction Clinic.

Why are edema dangerous?

— Edema can be a concomitant symptom of other diseases, such swelling is also called pathological. To distinguish it from physiological edema will help the doctor during the examination. That is why it is important to visit a specialist systematically, and not only if necessary. nine0014

After examining the veins of the lower extremities and lymph nodes, the doctor may additionally prescribe medications that improve vascular permeability, as well as wearing compression underwear. If venous-lymphatic insufficiency can lead to deep vein thrombosis of the lower leg, then injections are prescribed. Risk factors include age, obesity, smoking, predisposition to thrombosis, individual characteristics with the onset of pregnancy.

Edema may occur due to preeclampsia. The complication occurs after the 20th week, in the second half of pregnancy: swelling of the extremities and face appears, blood pressure rises, and an increased amount of protein is present in the urine. Preeclampsia occurs due to disruption of the placenta, as a result of which biologically active substances begin to enter the body, which lead to disruption of the cardiovascular system and blood supply to the organs. Complications in preeclampsia can be very serious: liver dysfunction, stroke, coma, placental abruption, bleeding, acute hypoxia, intrauterine death. You can prevent the development of preeclampsia at the first screening at the 12-13th week of pregnancy. It is important to see a doctor regularly. nine0014

Swelling may be due to chronic disease. Women with such a diagnosis are registered with specialized specialists who are already familiar with the medical history.

What is the prevention of edema?

To reduce and prevent swelling, it is necessary to review the diet: limit or completely eliminate salty and spicy - seasonings retain fluid in the body.

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