What to do about swelling during pregnancy
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 during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
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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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Related pages
- Common discomforts during pregnancy
- Varicose veins
- Leg cramps during pregnancy
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Edema during pregnancy
Edema during pregnancy- Phlebology Center >
- Pregnancy and varicose veins >
- Edema during pregnancy
Article content:
- Pregnancy and edema
- Why does swelling appear during pregnancy?
- When does edema occur during pregnancy?
- What factors can affect the appearance of edema during pregnancy
- What can be done to get rid of edema during pregnancy?
- 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.
When does swelling occur during pregnancy?
Swelling can appear at any stage of pregnancy, but it usually starts around the fifth month and may worsen while you are in the third trimester.
What factors can affect the appearance of edema during pregnancy
The following factors can also affect edema during pregnancy:
- Varicose disease
- Summer heat
- Standing for a long time
- 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 the 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo: pixabay.comSwelling 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 reconsider the diet: limit or completely eliminate salty and spicy - seasonings retain fluid in the body.
