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feet swelling during pregnancy
Are you unable to fit your feet in your shoes? Do your feet feel as swollen as a pumpkin? Feet swelling during pregnancy, or edema as it is called in medical terms, is common for almost all pregnant women. This happens when there is excess fluid accumulation in your body due to the growing size of the uterus. As your baby grows, the uterus expands in an attempt to accommodate the growing baby. As a result the baby adds an extra pressure on the veins that leads to the feet. This leads to slow blood circulation and fluid retention in your body thereby leading to your feet swelling during pregnancy.
The good news is that this feet swelling during pregnancy is a temporary condition and will soon vanish after your delivery. This will subside slowly and you will notice that your visits to the bathroom increase after delivery. This is the way your body will get rid of the extra fluid that has accumulated.
Here are some tips that you could follow to deal with the feet swelling during pregnancy:
- Make sure you sleep on your left side as by doing so, the pressure on the uterus decreases a little and the feet swelling will also subside.
- Keep your feet in an elevated position whenever you can as this will regulate the blood circulation to some extent.
- Avoid sitting or standing continuously for long durations. Instead get up and move around a little.
- Whenever you are seated, rotate your ankles, wiggle your toes, and flex your feet a little in order to regulate the blood circulation.
- Opt for footwear that is comfortable.
- Avoid wearing tight stockings as they will restrict the blood circulation. However, you can wear support stockings that are comfortable to provide extra support to your feet.
- Drink lot of water and follow a light exercise regime.
- Limit your intake of salt as it will lead to more fluid retention. This means that you should stay away from junk food, processed food, and fast food as they all have high sodium levels.
- Giving a light massage to your feet will improve blood circulation and relieve feet swelling during pregnancy.
However, if you notice severe swelling under your eyes, face, ankles and other parts of your body then make sure you bring it to the notice of your doctor as it could signify a serious condition called preeclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy.
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