During your pregnancy, you will notice thickening in your abdomen and entire body, as well as slight swelling, especially in your feet and ankles. Swelling in the hands and feet, which we call edema, is seen in approximately three quarters of pregnant women. Edema begins between the 22nd and 27th weeks of pregnancy and continues until birth. The degree of swelling may vary during the day (more in the evenings) and according to the seasons (hot weather increases swelling).
What Causes Swelling of Feet and Ankles During Pregnancy?
There is fluid in the body to nourish you and your baby during pregnancy. amount is increasing. Due to the increase in blood flow and the pressure of the growing uterus on the veins in the groin area and the main vein called the vena cava (the vein on the right side of your body that carries blood from the lower area to the heart), it accumulates in your tissues, which we call edema. Your hands, as well as your feet and ankles, may swell, and your rings will start to squeeze your fingers. If your weight gain is rapid and relatively high, the fatty tissue in your feet also increases.
Is Swelling of the Feet and Ankles During Pregnancy a Risky Situation?
Slight edema in your feet and ankles, especially in the evening hours when the swelling is highest. Although it may cause your shoes to get tight, this is completely normal. However, if your hands and face also swell and the swelling does not improve overnight and persists for more than a day, you should see your doctor. Excessive swelling may also be a sign of a risky condition called preeclampsia, which is accompanied by high blood pressure, rapid weight gain and protein in the urine, and is popularly known as pregnancy poisoning. If your blood pressure and urine are normal, there is nothing to worry about.
Can We Prevent Swelling of Feet and Ankles During Pregnancy?
- Avoid standing and sitting for long periods of time. If you have to stand, rest from time to time by sitting down. If you are sitting all the time, walk around for at least five minutes every hour.
- Keep your legs as high as possible while sitting. T
- lye on your side, preferably on the left side. If you lie on your left side, your kidneys will work better and your swelling will decrease.
- Increase your movement. Walking and swimming as long as your doctor allows Do exercises that can be done during pregnancy, such as e.g. Walking facilitates blood flow instead of blood pooling, and swimming facilitates the passage of the fluid between your tissues through the pressure of the water into the veins and from there to the kidneys.
- Do not wear tight socks on your legs. Your goal should be to help blood and fluids flow as freely as possible.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The orthopedic product will not only relax you, but also reduce leg and waist pain. When you come home, put on your comfortable slippers.
- Wear supportive socks. Choose tights or knee- or hip-length socks that are not tight at the top. In order for these socks to be beneficial, they must be worn early in the morning before swelling begins.
- Drink plenty of water. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day minimizes swelling by removing excess salt and other waste materials.
- Reduce salt, but too much salt restriction will increase swelling. As with everything, adjust the amount and add enough salt to provide taste.
- Make sure to get plenty of protein in your diet. Protein prevents the fluid inside the veins from escaping out of the veins, so edema is more common in people who eat protein-deficient foods.
In addition to edema, another reason for tight shoes is the enlargement of the feet. The relaxin hormone, which loosens all the ligaments in the body, also loosens the ligaments in the foot and opens the spaces between the bones. After a few months, swelling decreases and excess weight generally disappears.
Although edema and swelling during pregnancy cause physiological changes, if they are reduced with some precautions, pregnancy will be more comfortable. However, one should be careful and conscious about preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning), which is extremely important for the health of mother and baby.
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