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.

Phlebologists

Head of the phlebology center "MIFTS". Endovascular surgeon, cardiovascular surgeon, aesthetic phlebologist, expert in ultrasound diagnostics of lower extremity veins, candidate of medical sciences.

Head of the surgical department of the phlebology center "MIFTS", leading phlebologist of the center, cardiovascular surgeon, endovascular surgeon, aesthetic phlebologist, expert in ultrasound diagnostics of lower extremity veins, candidate of medical sciences.

Leading employee of the Center for Phlebology "MIFTS", cardiac surgeon, cardiovascular surgeon, phlebologist, doctor of ultrasound diagnostics, candidate of medical sciences. Member of the "Association of Phlebologists of Russia"

Reviews

Phlebology Center in Moscow - a review of our patient

In every profession there are people about whom they say "professional from God." Such a person is a phlebologist, a professional "from God" SEMENOV ARTEM YURIEVICH. Specialist of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences, SMART and just an open kind person. My story started in 2009year...

Rodnova Svetlana, 01/05/2018, Serpukhov, Moscow region.

,

January 04, 2018

Read more

Thanks to God and the doctor, glorious surgeon - phlebologist Artem Yurievich Semenov.

I am a Muscovite. I have suffered from varicose veins for over 15 years. In March 2017, God vouchsafed me to apply to MIFTs with advanced varicose veins in both legs. The head of the "MIFTS" endovascular surgeon - phlebologist Semenov Artem Yuryevich, candidate of medical sciences, received me, ...

Egorova Lidia Aleksandrovna, Moscow

,

February 26, 2018

More details

Gratitude to phlebologist Fedorov Dmitry Anatolyevich

Many thanks to Dmitry Anatolyevich for his professionalism. The whole treatment went exactly as he described at the very first meeting and the result is excellent: the problem of varicose veins is solved and, at the same time, there are no side effects or surprises that would require an unplanned...

Alexey Ivanov

,

December 17, 2019

More details

Feedback to the surgeon phlebologist Raskin V.V.

I want to express my gratitude to the surgeon-phlebologist Raskin Vladimir Vyacheslavovich for the skillfully performed operation, his high professionalism in his work, for his "golden hands" and polite attitude towards the patient. In March 2017, I underwent surgery, endovenous laser...

Olenin A.V., Ramenskoye

,

July 04, 2017

Read more

Edema (dropsy) during pregnancy

Edema during pregnancy

It is normal for swelling to occur during pregnancy, especially in the legs, ankles, feet and fingers. It often gets worse at the end of the day. Swelling that comes on gradually is usually not dangerous for you or your baby, but it can be uncomfortable.

If you notice swelling in your hands, ankles and feet, try not to worry. Swelling of the hands, ankles, and feet is very common during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. Swelling is caused by your body holding on to more fluid than usual. You can get rid of swollen hands, feet and swollen ankles by staying active and drinking plenty of water. Sometimes swollen hands and feet can be a sign of something more serious.

For example, if swelling bothers you in the last trimester of pregnancy and persists. During this period of pregnancy, many expectant mothers experience impaired lymph and blood flow. This contributes to fluid retention in the tissues and the formation of edema. As a result, dropsy of pregnancy develops .

Dropsy during pregnancy

This is a form of toxicosis, in which edema does not disappear from the body of a woman, but only increases in size (weight is growing rapidly), in the absence of protein in the urine and normal blood pressure. Violation of water-salt metabolism in the body can pose a serious danger to the health of the expectant mother and baby. In the absence of proper treatment, dropsy can develop into preeclampsia (a severe form of toxicosis). Therefore, at the first signs of this disease, you should immediately go to the hospital.

Dropsy is considered an early manifestation of gestosis, characterized by fluid retention in the body and the appearance of edema.

The following stages are distinguished in dropsy:

• 1 Stage of dropsy - swelling of the legs (feet and lower legs)

• 2 Stages of dropsy - swelling of the legs and anterior abdominal wall of the abdomen

  9000 9000

  3 stages , abdomen, hands and face

• Stage 4 dropsy - generalized edema

Below we will give you additional tips to reduce pregnancy swelling and explain when you should still be concerned about swelling during pregnancy.

Causes of swelling (dropsy) during pregnancy

As your baby grows, the expanding uterus presses on the blood vessels in the pelvic area.

Large veins on the right side (inferior vena cava), which receive blood from the lower extremities, are especially affected. The pressure from your baby and uterus slows down blood flow in this area and causes water to pool from your blood vessels into the tissues of your legs and feet. This can cause swelling of the ankles and legs.

Your hands may also swell towards the end of your pregnancy. If you wear rings, they can put pressure on your fingers and you may have to give them up for a while. Hot weather and standing for long periods of time can also increase swelling.

Up to 80 percent of healthy pregnant women experience edema in late pregnancy.

Diagnosis of dropsy in pregnancy

When should I be concerned about swelling during pregnancy?

Swelling during pregnancy is normal and although annoying, it is usually not a big deal. However, very rarely it can still be a sign of a serious illness.

Edema can develop into a form of toxicosis such as dropsy. This can be determined by a sharp increase in weight. Of course, all pregnant women gain weight throughout pregnancy and swelling can also appear periodically and this is absolutely normal, but it is necessary to ensure that the indicators on the scales do not exceed 200-300 grams per week. Also common signs that dropsy is developing can be called:

• infrequent urination;

• constant feeling of thirst;

• leather gloss;

• puffiness;

• fatigue.

If you experience sudden or severe swelling of your hands, face, or feet, call your doctor or midwife right away. This may be a sign of preeclampsia, which is a serious condition that can harm you and your baby and also affect your blood pressure.

Call your healthcare provider if you notice excessive and/or sudden swelling in your feet or ankles, especially if it is accompanied by any of the following signs of preeclampsia:

• Headache that does not go away

• Sudden weight gain Changes in vision, blurred or bright spots

• Pain in the upper abdomen

• Shortness of breath

• Swelling of hands or face more than moderate

• Nausea or vomiting after 20 weeks of pregnancy

Danger of edema in pregnancy

If only one leg is swollen and hot, see a doctor immediately. There is a small chance it could be due to a blood clot. This is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and you will need medical attention.

Symptoms of DVT include:

• pain, swelling, or tenderness in one of the legs, usually the lower leg

• severe pain and warm skin in the area

• red or discolored skin, especially on the calves

Both preeclampsia and DVT can be dangerous for you and your baby, but they can be managed. The sooner you get tested, the better.

Risk of dropsy in pregnancy

What can be done to reduce swelling?

Staying active can help reduce swelling because it stimulates circulation. Try incorporating a couple of walks into your daily routine, or making a few changes to your regular habits, such as getting off the bus a stop early and walking the rest of the way, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

You may have heard that diuretics help your kidneys pass water and sodium so you can get rid of excess fluid in your body. However, they are not recommended for normal pregnancy edema, as by washing out important elements, diuretic tablets can harm the fetus.

How to reduce swelling during pregnancy

Your doctor may only suggest that you take them if you have other complications, such as heart disease or kidney problems.

Instead of using diuretics, try the following methods for edema:

• Drink plenty of water as this will help your body eliminate excess water.

• Try wearing compression garments, stockings or knee socks. This will especially help relieve your swollen feet and swollen ankles.

• Get a professional foot massage or ask your partner for a relaxing hand or foot massage.

Tips for swelling during pregnancy

• Raise your legs whenever possible as this will improve circulation . At work, keep a footstool or box under your desk. At home and in bed, try to lie on your side, as this reduces pressure on the inferior vena cava and is safer for your baby. Place a pillow under your ankles to elevate your legs at night.

• Try not to stand on your feet for too long. Take regular breaks from work. Your employer is required to conduct a risk assessment of your position and do everything possible to reduce the health risks to you and your child.

• Leg exercises can help reduce ankle swelling. Bend the leg up and down 30 times, then twist it eight times in one direction and eight times in the other. Repeat with the other leg. You can apply this technique to your swollen hands as well.

• Swimming in pool for at least 20 minutes may also help.

• Wear comfortable shoes and socks . You can buy socks with specially designed ankle cuffs that won't compress if your feet get a little swollen. Wearing larger, wider, or slip-on shoes can help you feel more comfortable.

Dropsy and preeclampsia during pregnancy

When will swelling disappear?

Try to remember that swelling will not last forever. Like many other discomforts during pregnancy, normal swelling should go away a few weeks after delivery.

If, like some women, you find that you have more swelling after having a baby than during pregnancy, following the same tips and exercises can help reduce them. It should be gone by the time your baby is six to eight weeks old. Do not forget to be examined in time and visit a gynecologist-endocrinologist during and after pregnancy.

Learn more

• 
  Vomits during pregnancy
• 
  Stages of first trimester
• 
  Constant itching on body
• 
  Can morning sickness be just nausea
• 
  What do contractions feel like in second trimester
• 
  How long is hospital stay after birth
• 
  Urinary infections pregnancy
• 
  How many months premature can a baby survive
• 
  How to deal with child anxiety at bedtime
• 
  Flu vaccinations and pregnancy
• 
  7 month old sick with a cold