Left foot swollen during pregnancy
Swelling during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Swelling during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content3-minute read
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Most women get swollen ankles and feet while pregnant. It’s natural to have concerns about swelling since it can be uncomfortable, make your shoes tighter and possibly make you feel embarrassed. Knowing what to look for and how best to manage it can help you stay as comfortable as possible.
Why do women experience swelling during pregnancy?
There are 3 main reasons women experience swelling while pregnant.
- Throughout pregnancy, you produce more blood than usual to help your baby grow.
- As the baby grows, your uterus presses on and slightly blocks the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart.
- Your hormones make the walls of your veins softer, which makes it harder for them to work properly.
For these reasons, your blood tends to pool in your legs. There, a small amount of blood leaks through tiny blood vessels into the tissues and produces the swelling you can see and feel.
Where and when will I get swelling?
The swelling should be only in your feet and ankles. Your fingers might get a little larger — enough to make any rings feel tight — but they shouldn't be obviously swollen.
Your feet and ankles are likely to swell later in the day. This is mainly due to gravity — any extra fluid in your body will sink to your feet and ankles, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet.
Swelling is also more likely to happen later in your pregnancy.
Gradual swelling isn't harmful to you or your baby, but it can feel uncomfortable.
How can I reduce swelling?
Some simple things can help you feel more comfortable and can also aid in preventing swelling.
Try to:
- avoid standing for long periods without moving
- wear comfortable shoes (avoid tight straps or anything that might pinch if your feet swell)
- put your feet up as much as you can
- limit salty foods and excessive salt in your diet
- sleep on your left side, which will help blood return to the heart
- exercise regularly by walking or swimming — this helps keep your circulation going
If you need to stand for long periods, try to move around and change position regularly.
Compression stockings can help the blood flow back to the heart and limit how much swelling you get. Massage and reflexology might also help reduce swelling and associated symptoms.
Even if your swelling is bothering you, remember to still drink plenty of water. Keeping your fluids up is important to avoid dehydration and stay healthy.
Normal or abnormal swelling?
Most pregnant women have swollen feet and ankles at some point, and this is perfectly normal.
However, there are times when swelling could indicate something more serious.
Contact your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately if:
- swelling is there at the start of the day or doesn't go down when you rest
- your face or hands are swollen
- the swelling is more than you have had before
These are warning signs for pre-eclampsia, which is high blood pressure caused by pregnancy. This is a very serious condition both for you and your baby, so call your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. Don't wait for your next regular appointment.
If one leg is more swollen than the other, this could suggest a more serious problem with one of your veins, such as deep vein thrombosis. Again, contact your doctor or midwife as soon as possible.
Most swelling is a normal part of pregnancy and will usually go away after you've given birth. However, if you're concerned about anything, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, talk to your doctor or midwife.
You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to talk to a maternal child health nurse.
Sources:
NSW Health (Having a baby), The Royal Women's Hospital (Active pregnancy), The Royal Women's Hospital (Common concerns in early pregnancy), Cochrane (Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy), King Edward Memorial Hospital (Pregnancy, birth and your baby), Department of Health (Clinical practice guidelines: Pregnancy care), King Edward Memorial Hospital (Minor Symptoms or Disorders in Pregnancy King Edward Memorial Hospital Clinical Guidelines: Obstetrics & Midwifery), The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: February 2020
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- Varicose veins
- Common discomforts during pregnancy
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5 ways to manage swollen legs and feet during pregnancy | Your Pregnancy Matters
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Of all the body parts you expect to get bigger during pregnancy, feet might not be at the top of your list. But most pregnant women experience swelling in their lower legs and feet.
If your ankles appear puffy and your shoes don’t feel quite right, you’re not imagining things. The additional fluid and blood your body creates to support healthy fetal growth also slows down blood circulation. That can cause blood to accumulate in your lower extremities, causing swelling.
During pregnancy, you also produce more relaxin, a hormone that helps your tendons, ligaments, joints, and muscles – you guessed it – relax.
While relaxin helps your pelvis open to give birth, it also loosens the tendons and ligaments in your feet.
The combination of extra weight and hormones during pregnancy can cause your feet not only to widen but also flatten and lengthen. Leg or ankle swelling likely will decrease a week or two after your baby is born, but your feet may never be the same again.
Studies have shown that pregnancy can cause a permanent decrease in your arch and increase in foot length – typically only after a woman’s first pregnancy.
While more research is needed to determine whether these structural changes can be prevented, there are a few things you can do throughout your pregnancy to reduce swelling and feel more comfortable.
Coping with swollen legs and feet during pregnancy
1. Wear compression socks
Wearing 15-20mmHG compression socks that end at your knee can help alleviate achiness. The socks gradually increase pressure in your legs and move some of the excess fluid back into your blood vessels and the rest of your body.
Avoid socks with a tight band at the top. The tightness might worsen swelling by blocking blood return. That can increase your risk of developing a blood clot – which is already five times higher during pregnancy. You don’t need to purchase medical-grade socks, but you can find a good pair of compression socks for $10-$20.
Compression socks also can prevent the formation of new varicose veins, which occur in 15% of pregnant women for the same reason that causes swelling. The risk doubles after your first pregnancy and is four times higher in women over 35. These veins start out as little bumps under your skin; the socks squeeze them just enough to prevent backward blood flow and bulging. Existing varicose veins aren’t likely to shrink, but compression socks can reduce the pain and discomfort they cause.
2. Rest efficiently
You can easily improve blood circulation during downtime and sleep:
- Elevate your legs above heart level while reading, watching TV, or doing other seated activities.
The simple change in body position decreases pressure on your veins, which no longer have to work against gravity to send blood to your heart. Use cushions for comfort and elevate in 15- to 20-minute intervals a few times a day. - Sleep on your left side. While you can safely sleep on either side during pregnancy, the left side is often recommended to avoid putting pressure on the inferior vena cava, a large vein that carries blood from your lower extremities to your heart.
3. Get your feet wet
Immersing your feet and ankles in cool water for 20 minutes a few times a week can minimize swelling, whether you use a pool, bathtub, or even a large bowl. Bonus: It’s also a great way to deal with the Texas heat if you’re pregnant during the summer.
Be sure the water temperature is moderate and not ice cold. Cooler temperatures cause the smaller blood vessels close to your skin to constrict, which reduces blood flow to and swelling within the affected area.
Water that is too cold can have the opposite effect. Whether you stand and sway or sit and dangle your feet, water therapy is a great way to relieve stress and pain.
Related reading: Water immersion during labor
4. Invest in supportive shoes that fit.
Unsupportive and uncomfortable shoes can cause even more leg and foot pain, plus backaches. Even if your feet return to their pre-pregnancy size, you’ll feel more comfortable in shoes that fit your feet and support your additional body weight. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends wearing shoes that:
- Have a low heel but are not flat
- Provide good arch support, such as athletic shoes
Many patients prefer shoes that have mesh, which allow their feet to breathe, and can easily slip on and off to limit bending over while pregnant. More shoe brands are merging comfort and style, so even the most fashionable patients will have no problem finding footwear they feel good about wearing.
5. Visit a podiatrist or pedicurist.
Another reason to wear shoes that fit: Stress from tight shoes can cause ingrown toenails, and so can infrequent nail trimming. In the first two trimesters you probably won’t have any difficulty trimming your toenails. But once you reach the third trimester, it might get more challenging.
Try propping up your feet on a stool or ask your partner to help trim your toenails. Nail salon gift cards are a great item to add to your baby shower (or sprinkle!) registry, too.
Seeing a podiatrist is another option to prevent or treat painful foot conditions, such as ingrown toenail, bunions, or plantar warts.
When swelling becomes serious
While gradual swelling in your lower and upper extremities is normal, sudden or severe swelling in your face, hands, or feet might be a symptom of preeclampsia. This pregnancy complication involves very high blood pressure.
If you have preeclampsia, you may need to stay in the hospital until you give birth.
Delivery is the only way to “treat” preeclampsia. Left untreated, the condition can cause seizures, kidney or liver damage, and in rare cases, death.
Related reading: Postpartum hypertension: When a new mom's blood pressure is too high
Talk with your doctor about foot and leg swelling, as well as any other pregnancy symptoms. The more we know about your current condition, the more we can help reduce your risk of future complications.
While we can’t fully prevent foot and leg swelling, we can recommend ways to reduce your risk, such as:
- Regular exercise
- Good-quality sleep
- A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Discomfort during pregnancy is to be expected, but our goal is to partner with you to minimize it – as well as the risk of more serious conditions.
To discuss your pregnancy concerns or symptoms with an expert, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.
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More Articles
How to remove edema during pregnancy and why they are dangerous
Edema during pregnancy appears in most women "in position". Most often, they notice swelling in the third trimester, after 30 weeks, however, with late toxicosis, symptoms of fluid retention appear as early as the 18th week.
General information
During the period of bearing a child in a woman's body, the volume of fluid increases significantly, at least twice.
As a result, the internal organs experience increased stress, which leads to swelling.
Most often in pregnant women, the legs swell in the area of \u200b\u200bthe feet and ankles, because under the influence of gravity, the water descends. But over time, swelling can spread to the hands, face, and sometimes the whole body.
Species
Given the prevalence, swelling during pregnancy is of 2 types:
1. Localized (local)
When only one part of the body swells - legs, arms or face.
2. Generalized (generalized)
In which edema spreads to the whole body.
Generalized edema is called dropsy of pregnancy and is a consequence of the release of plasma into the intercellular space. Puffiness is generally characteristic of late toxicosis, or gestosis, but it manifests itself with varying degrees of severity.
In some cases, gestosis is quite difficult and is accompanied by such conditions as:
- nephropathy
It develops against the background of dropsy in about a quarter of women.
With nephropathy, blood pressure rises, dizziness, lower back pain, and digestive problems;
- pre-eclampsia
The next stage after nephropathy with the preservation of edema and the appearance of severe headache, weakness, nausea, turning into vomiting. Typical signs of preeclampsia are drowsiness, blurred vision, lethargy and trembling in the hands;
- eclampsia
Replaces preeclampsia and lasts no more than 3-4 days. The clinical picture includes severe edema and other symptoms of preeclampsia, against which a convulsive attack appears, turning into a coma. The coma can either get worse or end with the restoration of consciousness.
General edema in pregnant women causes a change in the composition of the blood, which, in turn, leads to fetal hypoxia. Edema can be both obvious and hidden: the first is visible to the naked eye, and the second is determined by too sharp weight gain.
Attention! If during pregnancy weight gain was more than 18 kg, then doctors ascertain internal edema.
The volume of fluid consumed significantly exceeds the amount of urine excreted.
Causes of edema in pregnancy
Edema during gestation can be physiological and pathological. Fluid retention in both cases is due to hormonal fluctuations. Already from the first weeks of pregnancy, the level of progesterone begins to rise, which is necessary to reduce the contractile activity of the uterus and prevent miscarriage.
In the first trimester, the concentration of progesterone already increases 10 times! And the same hormone prevents the excretion of sodium and water from the body, as the need for fluid also increases.
Why pregnant women need more fluids:
- The volume of circulating blood should be sufficient for the blood supply to the fetus.
- The formation of the placenta and amniotic fluid is impossible with the same amount of fluid.
The growing uterus puts pressure on the vessels, thereby provoking stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs and lower extremities.
Therefore, even a healthy woman may experience swelling of the legs.
The amount of fluid during pregnancy increases by 6-8 liters. From 4 to 6 of them fall on the placenta, the remaining 2-4 liters are distributed throughout the body.
The mechanism of development of physiological and pathological edema is associated with three factors, including:
- hormonal changes;
- sodium retention;
- poor outflow of blood from the pelvic organs and legs.
Symptoms
Edema is not always visible visually and is sometimes determined only by weighing. For some women, even 5 liters of excess fluid can be completely invisible, while for others, temporary water retention causes visible swelling in different parts of the body.
Typical symptoms of edema:
- traces on the skin from socks and seams of clothing that do not “straighten out” for a long time;
- heaviness in the legs, especially in the evening;
- if you press on the shin or foot, a notch remains;
- habitual shoes become tight;
- unable to clench the hand into a fist;
- it is difficult to put on or take off the ring from the finger;
- tingling and slight numbness in the fingers due to compression of the nerves by swollen tissues;
- puffiness of the face;
- increase in chin, lips, nose in volume.
Book an online consultation if you experience swelling during pregnancy. Our doctors remotely, by phone or video call, will help interpret the symptoms and talk about methods of dealing with edema. Experts on call around the clock, contact for advice at any time.
Which doctor to contact
First you need to go to the gynecologist who leads the pregnancy. He will prescribe an examination and tell you which doctor to book a consultation with. With high pressure and the presence of protein in the urine, preeclampsia can be assumed, which often requires hospitalization. Gynecologists deal with this problem.
If there is a predisposition to varicose veins, heaviness or pain is felt in the legs, then you need to visit a phlebologist.
Alarm symptoms:
- swelling appears in the morning;
- excess weight gain was recorded in the early stages, already in the 1st trimester;
- constant thirst and decrease in urination with the use of the usual volume of liquid;
- shortness of breath, a feeling of fullness and heaviness in the chest;
- persistent bags under the eyes;
- swelling rises above the knees.
Diagnostics
Sometimes it is not easy to distinguish physiological from pathological edema, so a woman is prescribed an examination. It may include different diagnostic methods:
| Study | What the result shows |
| Analysis of urine | In kidney disease, protein is found in the urine |
| Assessment of daily diuresis | Normally, the amount of fluid drunk per day is less than urine excreted by no more than 25%, if this parameter deviates, we can talk about latent edema |
| Biochemistry of blood | By the concentration of electrolytes, protein, urea, creatinine, you can evaluate the work of the kidneys and other organs in early and late pregnancy |
| Weighing | Weekly weight gain is normally up to 300 g |
| Blood pressure measurements | A large difference in the results of measurements on different hands indicates the development of preeclampsia |
| Fundus examination | According to the condition of the veins of the fundus, one can judge the functioning of the cerebral vessels and the entire vascular system. |
| Blister test | 0.2 ml of saline is injected into the forearm area. Normally, the formed blister resolves in 40-60 minutes. Otherwise, there are hidden edema |
| Ankle diameter measurement | Measurements are taken every week, with increased hydrophilicity of tissues, the circumference of the lower leg increases by more than 1 cm |
| Physical examination | The doctor pays attention to the condition and tone of the skin:
|
If the veins are dilated, then the blood stagnates, which leads to circulatory disorders According to indications, a woman may be prescribed an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, thyroid gland, kidneys, vessels of the lower extremities.
In cardiac pathologies, a cardiogram is made, daily Holter monitoring, and phonocardiography are carried out.
How to get rid of edema
You can fight on your own only with physiological edema, and a woman can remove them completely or at least reduce them. But pathological edema requires mandatory medical care, as they are dangerous for the development of complications.
Diet
The restrictions apply mainly to salt and "harmful" products, in which there is a lot of it - smoked meats, marinades, semi-finished products and canned food. The recommended dose of table salt per day is 1.5 g. If you reduce the amount of sodium entering the body, excess fluid will be more quickly excreted by the kidneys.
It is recommended to lean on products that have a mild diuretic effect. These include most fruits and vegetables - carrots, beets, cucumbers.
Drinking mode
It is very important to drink at least a liter of water per day, and preferably one and a half, in the absence of contraindications.
It will not be possible to avoid edema with a decrease in this volume, because water is needed to replenish the amount of amniotic fluid, remove metabolic products and prepare the body for the upcoming birth.
Case study:
A pregnant woman went to the doctor with complaints of periodic swelling and hot flashes. She has a history of nephrolithiasis, the results of the latest tests are normal. Canephron was prescribed, a low-salt diet, half-bed rest was recommended. When edema appears, lie with your legs elevated, placing a pillow under them, or on your left side.
Physical activity
Dosed physical activity allows you to remove swelling by at least half. Simple exercise and walking help improve blood circulation, as contracting muscles push blood out of the veins, preventing them from overflowing and thereby making the heart work easier.
To remove swelling from the legs, it is enough to perform exercises every 2 hours for 5-10 minutes.
Pregnant women especially benefit from swimming, yoga, and exercise balls.
Sign up for an online consultation to learn more about how to get rid of swelling during pregnancy. Our doctors will remotely tell you about the most effective methods in relation to your case and tell you what to do. Specialists work for you 24 hours a day.
Treatment
To relieve swelling and prevent their occurrence in the future, various drugs are used.
With gestosis, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, sedatives, as well as drugs to reduce pressure are prescribed. Women with diagnosed kidney pathology are prescribed diuretics, xanthines, potassium preparations, and antithrombotic agents.
With varicose veins, phlebotonics, anticoagulants, and compression therapy are effective. High blood pressure is reduced with the help of vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, alpha-2-agonists.
FAQ
What are the dangers of swelling during pregnancy?
+
In the later stages, edema can be a sign of preeclampsia, a very dangerous pathology for both the mother and the child.
Can hands swell in the second trimester of pregnancy in the heat? This is fine?
+
Yes, both hands and feet can swell in the second trimester. High temperatures are one of the reasons for the formation of edema.
How does swelling appear in the third trimester?
+
In the later stages, mainly the legs swell, and especially the feet. They swell most noticeably in the afternoon and in the evening.
Expert opinion
Edema during pregnancy is an almost inevitable companion of a woman "in an interesting position." If there are no pathologies, then there is no reason for concern, you just need to slightly adjust your lifestyle. But this does not cancel planned visits to the gynecologist and regular tests. Remember that you can not drink medicines without a doctor's prescription, so as not to harm yourself and the child.
We publish only verified information
Article author
Menshikova Maria Viktorovna obstetrician-gynecologist
Experience 38 years
Consultations 1816
Articles 95
Specialist with extensive practical experience.
He has a certificate of a mammologist, a certificate of professional certification. Participates in foreign business trips and individual training programs (Los Angeles).
- 1982 - 1986 NPO MONIIAG - obstetrician-gynecologist
- 1987 - 1989 VNITs OZMIR - obstetrician-gynecologist
- 1989 - 1992 departmental polyclinic st. Moscow - Kurskaya - obstetrician-gynecologist
- 1992 - 2001 NPO MONIIAG - obstetrician-gynecologist
- 2007 - 2008 NP KMIKM - doctor administrator
- 2009 - 2013 Pereslavl Central District Hospital, women's consultation - obstetrician-gynecologist
- 2020 to present Teledoctor24 LLC - doctor - consultant (gynecologist)
Edema of the left leg during pregnancy In this article, we will explain why swelling occurs, in which cases the left leg swells more than the right during pregnancy, and we will explain what to do if one leg swells more than the other during pregnancy.
Why does swelling occur during pregnancy?
As the fetus develops, the edema becomes more severe.
This is due to the fact that in the second trimester, an increase in body weight and volume of circulating blood is added to the hormonal factor that provokes slight swelling of the legs in the first or third month of pregnancy, and in the third trimester, the mechanical pressure of the uterus, which compresses the deep veins of the legs.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, slight swelling occurs due to the action of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus, preparing it for the adoption of the fetus. Since the hormone weakens the smooth muscle walls of the venous vessels, women who suffer from vascular problems may experience aggravated varicose veins and edema.
In the second trimester of pregnancy the veins weakened by progesterone are subjected to increased physical activity due to an increase in body weight by 7-15 kg. At the same time, the volume of fluid circulating in the blood increases by 30%.
Because of this, the pressure inside the vessels increases, the veins begin to stretch and let blood flow back into the superficial veins of the legs.
Stagnation in the legs, venous blood stretches the superficial veins . The growing pressure gradually forces the liquid part of the blood out of the veins into the muscles and subcutaneous tissue. This is how edema is formed in the second trimester of pregnancy.
In the third trimester of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus compresses the veins of the legs, disrupting the normal outflow of blood. This aggravates the stagnation of blood in the legs, and increases the blood pressure inside the veins. Because of this, more and more liquid part of the blood gets into the soft tissues of the legs, forming the most severe edema for the entire period of pregnancy.
When does swelling of the left leg occur during pregnancy?
Isolated swelling of the left leg in pregnant women occurs much less frequently than swelling of the right leg.
This is due to the fact that when the placenta is located in the right part of the uterus, signs of varicose veins are observed on the right leg, and when the placenta is located in the left part of the uterus, varicose veins affect both legs.
If only the left leg swells in a pregnant woman , this may be due to the peculiarities of the work, in which the left and right legs have different loads (for example, dressmakers).
A more dangerous situation is when swelling of the left leg caused thrombophlebitis - blockage of a superficial vein by a blood clot (thrombus) that arose due to a slowdown in blood flow in the legs in the third trimester of pregnancy.
What should I do if my left leg swells during pregnancy?
In case of isolated swelling of the left leg, you should immediately see a phlebologist. The phlebologist will conduct the necessary studies, find out the cause of the edema and prescribe the correct treatment.
