Swelling in first trimester

Swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy

It's normal to get some swelling in pregnancy, particularly in your legs, ankles, feet and fingers.

It's often worse at the end of the day and further into your pregnancy.

Swelling that comes on gradually is not usually harmful to you or your baby, but it can be uncomfortable.

A sudden increase in swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a condition that needs to be monitored as soon as possible.

Non-urgent advice: Call your midwife, GP or labour ward immediately if you have:

• a sudden increase in swelling in your face, hands or feet
• a very bad headache
• problems with your vision, such as blurring or flashing lights in your eyes
• severe pain just below your ribs
• vomiting with any of these symptoms

These could be symptoms of pre-eclampsia, which can lead to serious complications if it's not monitored and treated.

Normal pregnancy swelling

Swelling is caused by your body holding more water than usual when you're pregnant.

Throughout the day the extra water tends to gather in the lowest parts of the body, especially if the weather is hot or you have been standing a lot.

The pressure of your growing womb can also affect the blood flow in your legs. This can cause fluid to build up in your legs, ankles and feet.

What can help to reduce swelling

Try to:

• avoid standing for long periods
• wear comfortable shoes and socks – avoid tight straps or anything that might pinch if your feet swell
• try to rest with your feet up as much as you can
• drink plenty of water – this helps your body get rid of excess water
• exercise – try to take regular walks during the day or doing foot exercises

Foot exercises

You can do foot exercises sitting or standing. They improve blood circulation, reduce swelling in the ankles, and prevent cramp in the calf muscles:

• bend and stretch your foot up and down 30 times
• rotate each foot in a circle 8 times one way and 8 times the other way

Get more tips on exercising in pregnancy.

Page last reviewed: 10 March 2021
Next review due: 10 March 2024

Swelling in Pregnancy | When it's Normal and When to Worry

Swelling in pregnancy, or edema, is normal, but when should you start to worry? First-time pregnant individuals find it hard to distinguish normal swelling from medically serious swelling, but that doesn’t mean those who have been pregnant before have mastered it. Either way, swelling is uncomfortable and the inconveniences of swelling can affect a pregnant individual’s well-being, whether at work or at home.

The swelling occurs in the feet, legs and fingers. Usually, it becomes significant towards the end of the day, but goes away by the next morning. Although normal, it can be uncomfortable, and for pregnant individuals who experience it, this may cause alarm.

This article will help you understand swelling in pregnancy, when it’s normal, when to worry, causes, treatments and risks.

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What Causes Swelling in Pregnancy?

The body goes through gradual changes the moment you get pregnant. Around the second trimester onwards, swelling may occur. It is a normal thing that happens while your body supports your baby’s nutritional needs. As this is taking place, the blood flow decreases and fluid accumulates in the tissues.

According to Dr. Folch-Hayek, OBGYN at Family Health Centers of San Diego: “The gravid uterus is putting pressure on the inferior vena cava, which decreases the blood flow back to the heart. Swelling develops usually later in the second and third trimester because the uterus is bigger as you progress in the pregnancy. ”

Aside from these changes and processes, there are other factors that result in swelling, including:

• Sitting or standing for long periods
• Diet
• Lack of water intake

The lack of activity during pregnancy may or may not be a factor for swelling. However, even active pregnant people still experience swelling because the vein congestion still happens in the uterine area. Dr. Folch-Hayek noted, “It’s more to do probably with activity level or lack of activity such as prolonged standing or sitting without changing your position.”

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How to Reduce Swelling During Pregnancy

Swelling during pregnancy is normal and it cannot be avoided. Many pregnant individuals experience this issue any time during pregnancy until after delivery. Dr. Folch-Hayek OBGYN recommends a few ways on how to reduce swelling during pregnancy. Here are a few:

Elevate your feet

Leg swelling in pregnancy can be uncomfortable, especially if your job requires you to sit or stand for long periods. To reduce the swelling, elevate your feet higher than your waist while sitting. At night, you can put a pillow under your thighs and legs while lying on the bed.

For those who spend a lot of time standing, short walks can help.

Wear compression stockings

If prolonged standing can’t be avoided, Dr. Folch-Hayek suggests wearing compression stockings. She noted, “They can buy compression stockings in pharmacies. Sometimes, I direct them to stores that specialize in nursing uniforms where they can find a few pairs in multiple colors, in case they want to have fun with it, as well.”

Compression stockings can reduce the swelling as they gently squeeze the area. As they ease the swelling, they also lessen the discomfort or pain, if any.

Ditch the extra salt

“Anything that is salty will cause water retention, and as a result will make pregnant individuals more prone to swelling,” reminds Dr. Folch-Hayek. As a rule of thumb, avoid the extra salt in your diet when you’re pregnant.

Stay hydrated

It does seem counter intuitive to drink more water to prevent fluid retention, but you do need to stay hydrated to minimize the swelling during pregnancy. That is because the fluid helps you flush out the retained water, therefore reducing the swelling.

Gentle massages

Massages feel great at the end of a long day, but when you suffer from swelling during pregnancy, massages any time of the day would be beneficial. You can ask your partner to apply gentle pressure on the swollen areas. This will help with circulation.

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Swelling in Pregnancy—When to Worry?

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Edema during pregnancy | Nutriclub

What you need to know about edema: why they appear, how to deal with them, how to distinguish ordinary physiological edema from a symptom of a serious illness

It is believed that edema inevitably accompanies the pregnancy of most women - you just need to endure their unaesthetic appearance. However, swelling can be a signal of health problems and pose a danger to both the expectant mother and the development of the fetus. Nutriclub understands when to worry if you have swelling.

• Edema - excessive accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space - occurs quite often in pregnant women. Swelling can occur at any time and in different parts of the body.
• Edema on the face (especially bags under the eyes and severe swelling of the eyelids) are especially noticeable and cause maximum dissatisfaction, because they directly affect the appearance.
• Very often, pregnant women have swollen legs, especially after a long walk. That is why it is so important to get comfortable shoes for the entire period of pregnancy.
• Hands tend to swell in women who work at a computer or do needlework. Rings begin to press, fingers look like “sausages”. In such cases, you need to temporarily abandon jewelry.
• Pregnant women often mistake swelling of the nasal mucosa for a runny nose or allergies. The latter is more likely because allergic reactions tend to get worse during pregnancy. Also in pregnant women, due to changes in hormonal levels, a condition called rhinitis of pregnancy can develop, which is accompanied by severe nasal congestion. It is better to take tests and be sure to discuss the situation with a doctor who will prescribe a drug that is allowed during pregnancy. Ignoring nasal congestion is not recommended - breathing problems in the mother can make it difficult for oxygen to reach the child.

All these edemas can be both physiological and pathological.

Physiological edema of pregnant women

Physiological usually do not cause complications. They are explained by natural changes in the body of the expectant mother: the uterus puts pressure on neighboring organs, slowing down blood circulation, and sodium accumulates in the blood - it slows down the excretion of fluid from the body. At the same time, during pregnancy, the total amount of fluid circulating throughout the body almost doubles (part of it is contained in the amniotic fluid and placenta).

At the same time, a woman's hormonal background changes, which may be the cause of the legendary “salty” craving, which, in turn, provokes thirst and excessive fluid intake.

Summer heat or stuffiness in transport and premises, physical overload also affects health and appearance.

Physiological edema is considered natural at any stage of pregnancy - and does not pose a threat to the woman's health.

But at the first sign of swelling, you should definitely contact your obstetrician-gynecologist. The doctor will prescribe the necessary examinations and tests to exclude pathological edema, indicating health problems and complications of pregnancy.

Pathological edema during pregnancy

Pathological edema in the early stages may signal hypothyroidism - a condition in which there is a lack of thyroid hormones in the body. Doctors try to identify the disease before the appearance of swelling - pregnant women with a deficiency or excess body weight, with severe toxicosis, a blood test for thyroid hormones is prescribed. If the results are not normal, treatment is prescribed.

Also, starting from the first trimester, edema may appear due to problems with the kidneys. It is very important to take a urine test every two weeks, as recommended in the antenatal clinic. Erythrocytes, high leukocytes, a protein that should not be in the urine - a reason for referral to a urologist and ultrasound of the kidneys. It is important to exclude an infection in the kidneys, and if it is diagnosed, it should be treated qualitatively. Otherwise, premature obstructed labor or the birth of a child with a low weight are possible.

Starting from the 20th week, swelling may indicate varicose veins. Circulatory disturbance due to uterine pressure leads to the formation of "knots" and pain in the legs. If you suspect varicose veins, you will be referred to a phlebologist who will give the necessary recommendations.

Edema also accompanies heart failure, which is considered a serious complication of pregnancy. In this case, the appearance of edema is preceded by shortness of breath and cyanosis of the mucous membranes.

However, most often, pathological swelling indicates late toxicosis - gestosis. This is a problem in the third trimester of pregnancy, but the first signs can begin to appear between the 18th and 20th weeks. Preeclampsia almost always requires the help of a doctor and the presence of a pregnant woman in a hospital.

What is gestosis and why is it dangerous?

However, gestosis, in addition to edema, has other symptoms: high blood pressure, protein in the sea (normally absent), nausea, vomiting, headaches, convulsions, fever, drowsiness, or, conversely, severe arousal.

There are four degrees of preeclampsia. The first degree is known as dropsy of pregnant women, it is mainly expressed in edema. The second degree is edema, protein in the urine, a violation of pressure. The third degree of preeclampsia is called preeclampsia. It is characterized by a decrease in cerebral circulation and even hemorrhage. In the most severe, fourth stage of the disease, convulsions (eclampsia) are observed. A pregnant woman may have a stroke or placental abruption.

Thus, even if everyone around them says that edema is completely natural, and they do not cause discomfort to the pregnant woman herself, it is very important to inform the doctor about the first appearance of swelling - precisely in order to make sure that the edema is physiological, and not pathological, and no complications for the development of the fetus and the process of childbirth will not entail.

When should a pregnant woman see a doctor immediately?

The following problems can be considered the reason for an urgent visit to a doctor:

• swelling visible already in the morning, immediately after getting up;
• edema accompanied by high blood pressure;
• edema becomes very severe: it is impossible to clench the hand into a fist, shoes are painful and uncomfortable to wear, it is difficult to open the eyes due to swelling;
• regular shortness of breath, palpitations;
• headaches do not go away for several days;
• regularly experience nausea and vomiting after the 12th week;
• Urges for small needs are rare and are accompanied by the release of urine of a dark color;
• there are pains in the upper part of the abdomen;
• painful convulsions appear;

What helps with swelling during pregnancy?

If, according to the results of examination and analysis, it is established that the edema is physiological, it is possible to get rid of them (or at least reduce them) using the following methods.

• Avoid fried, smoked, spicy, pickled and sweet foods. Steam or bake, eat fruits and vegetables regularly.
• The use of salt should be limited - it contains sodium, it is he who retains fluid in the body.
• Many advise to limit the use of water, even in the form of broth. In fact, it threatens with dehydration. It is better to drink plain water in small sips - and consume most of the daily allowance of one and a half to two liters in the morning. Soda should be excluded.
• It is contraindicated to stay in heat or stuffy rooms for a long time.
• On the recommendation of a doctor, you can wear special compression underwear, while giving up tight tights, uncomfortable shoes and heels.
• Sleep at least 8-10 hours. It is also recommended to lie down every day for 15-20 minutes with legs raised up, do foot massage and foot baths with sea salt.

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4. Edema during pregnancy | Nutriclub

Edema during pregnancy

• Phlebology Center >
• Pregnancy and varicose veins >
• Edema during pregnancy

Article content:

1. Pregnancy and edema
2. Why does swelling appear during pregnancy?
3. When does edema occur during pregnancy?
4. What factors can affect the appearance of edema during pregnancy
5. What can be done to get rid of swelling during pregnancy?
6. Questions from patients about edema and pregnancy

Pregnancy and Edema

Swelling during pregnancy is normal because the body produces approximately 50% more blood and body fluids to meet the needs of a developing baby.

Edema during pregnancy

Edema during pregnancy occurs on the hands, face, legs, ankles and feet.

Why does swelling occur during pregnancy?

This extra fluid retention is needed to soften the body, allowing it to expand as the baby develops. The extra fluid also helps prepare the pelvic joints and tissues for reopening for childbirth. Additional fluids make up approximately 25% of a woman's weight gain during pregnancy.