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Edema during pregnancy: the causes of the appearance in the later stages. How to deal with swelling during pregnancy? Edema during late pregnancy: causes, treatment

Edema during pregnancy occurs to varying degrees in almost every woman. But not in all cases, they indicate a pathology and require medical treatment. Before you start treating edema, you should identify the cause of their occurrence, whether it is necessary to eliminate edema, and whether the fight against them threatens something worse.

Water as a necessary element of pregnancy

As you know, the human body up to 80% consists of water. During gestation, the amount of water increases by 6-8 liters, most of which (up to 6 liters) is in the extra-tissue state, and about 3 liters accumulate in the tissues. By the end of gestation, the volume of water increases by another 6 liters, 3 of which fall on the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid, and the rest to increase the volume of the woman's circulating blood, the growing uterus and mammary glands. This “flooding” is the normal state of a physiological pregnancy.

The increase in the volume of the liquid part of the blood begins at 8 weeks, while the increase in the number of erythrocytes from 18 weeks. This is due to the need to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the fetus - the thinner and more fluid the blood, the faster it delivers.

The mechanism of edema formation

In order for water to reach the fetus, it must be in the vascular bed, and not in tissues or body cavities. The fluid in the blood vessels is held by 2 components:

  1. sodium chloride
  2. protein (albumin).

The albumin protein maintains oncotic pressure in the blood vessels, while sodium retains water in them. If there is a shortage of these substances, the fluid “leaves” into the tissues, that is, there is an increased permeability of the vessels. Albumin is produced by a woman's liver from those amino acids that come with food, that is, it matters how the expectant mother eats.

Sodium chloride comes from food and is also stored by the kidneys. In addition, salt metabolism is regulated by hormones. Thus, there is a second point in the mechanism of the occurrence of edema - a violation of water-salt metabolism, when sodium accumulates in tissues and attracts water from the vessels. Since the liquid part of the blood becomes small, it thickens, that is, against the background of visible or hidden edema, the mother's body experiences dehydration ().

Edema classification

Edema can be both physiological, that is, those that disappear on their own when the provoking factors are eliminated, and pathological, caused by a medical problem. The line dividing edema into “normal” and pathology is rather shaky, and it is very difficult to draw it, and one should take into account not only the gestational age and concomitant pathology, but also the woman’s age, the number of fetuses, her height and constitutional features.

Edema is also classified according to its prevalence:

  • I degree - swelling of the legs (most often the feet and legs) and hands;
  • II degree - edema "rises" to the front wall of the abdomen and the lumbosacral region;
  • III degree - not only the lower limbs and abdomen swell, but also the face;
  • IV degree - generalized edema or anasarca.

Depending on the origin, edema is divided into:

  • hydremic - caused by diseases of the urinary system;
  • cardiac - arise as a result of cardiovascular pathology;
  • cachectic or dystrophic due to exhaustion;
  • inflammatory arise as a result of the formation of a focus of inflammation (traumatic, allergic, neurotic and toxic);
  • congestive edema appears in diseases of the veins (varicose veins, thrombosis and thrombophlebitis).

Causes of edema

Physiological edema may appear for the following reasons:

  • hot and stuffy weather;
  • excessive physical exertion on the legs (prolonged standing, walking) or on the hands (computer work, writing);
  • flat feet;
  • wearing tight shoes or high heels;
  • prolonged sitting on soft and low seats;
  • the habit of crossing your legs when sitting;
  • errors in the diet (excessive consumption of salty and spicy foods);
  • overweight;
  • a large volume of the uterus (in late gestation or with multiple pregnancy) - the uterus compresses the inferior vena cava and disrupts blood flow in the lower body and legs;
  • low growth;
  • physical inactivity.

Pathological edema appears in the presence of a number of diseases and / or as a complication of pregnancy:

Varicose veins of the lower extremities

In this case, edema appears due to a violation of the outflow of blood through the veins, its stagnation in the veins, which provokes an increase in hydrostatic pressure in them. First, the pressure increases in large venous vessels, and then in small ones, and fluid is “squeezed out” from the vessels into the interstitial space with the formation of edema. This group also includes other diseases of the veins, which can be both a complication of varicose veins and an independent disease (thrombosis, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis). In this case, in addition to the described mechanism for the development of edema, there is also an inflammatory moment.

Cardiovascular pathology

Heart diseases (congenital heart defects, etc.) lead to the development of cardiovascular insufficiency, one of the manifestations of which is edema. Fluid retention in the body is due to an increase in central venous pressure, since the internal organs receive less blood enriched with oxygen, as well as sodium retention by the kidneys. With an increase in central venous pressure, hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries increases, which “squeezes out” water into the tissues. Pregnancy increases the load on the heart, which further causes the occurrence of edema.

Kidney pathology

Nephrotic syndrome, which is characterized by edema, is usually observed with glomerulonephritis. The mechanism of edema formation has several points. First, the protein is lost in the urine against the background of normal or frequent urination, which leads to a decrease in oncotic pressure in the blood vessels and an increase in their permeability, and, consequently, to the occurrence of edema. Secondly, with reduced urination, sodium is retained in the tissues, which draws fluid from the blood vessels onto itself. Thirdly, the filtration function of the kidneys is disturbed (sodium retention) and the water-salt metabolism is disturbed (the production of aldosterone increases, which also retains fluid in the body).

allergic reactions

Quincke's edema - one of the severe manifestations of allergy is associated with generalized swelling of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and skin and develops on the penetration of the allergen (antigen) into the body. The allergen promotes the production of inflammatory mediators: serotonin, histamine and others. In turn, inflammatory mediators increase the permeability of the vascular wall, and fluid from the blood rushes into the tissues, forming edema. More about .

Preeclampsia

Thyroid diseases

How to determine swelling

Edema, by definition, is the accumulation of an excess amount of fluid outside the vascular bed, but in the tissues and cavities of internal organs (heart bag, pleural, and others). Edema is divided into hidden and visible. Hidden edema can only be suspected by a doctor based on the following signs:

weight gain

A pregnant woman has a pathological weight gain, which after 30 weeks is more than 300 grams in 7 days. Or the total weight gain for the entire gestation period is more than 20 kg. However, one should take into account the type of constitution and height of the woman and distinguish between pathological weight gain due to latent edema or due to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat.

Daily diuresis

To determine it, the amount of liquid drunk (along with soups and watery fruits) and the excreted liquid is taken into account. Normally, their ratio is 4/3 (with about 300 ml of fluid excreted with sweat and breath). If the daily diuresis is negative, that is, the amount of fluid drunk significantly exceeds the amount allocated, this indicates latent edema.

nocturia

The woman notes that the volume of urine excreted at night is much larger than during the day. Moreover, the urge to urinate at night becomes more frequent. But it should be remembered that after 37 weeks this symptom may also indicate an approaching birth (the head is pressed against the entrance to the small pelvis and squeezes the bladder).

McClure-Aldrich test

Intradermally, 0.2 ml of saline sodium chloride solution is injected into the forearm area and the time of resorption of the formed blister is noted. Normally, it should disappear after 35 minutes or more. If the time of its resorption is shortened, we can safely talk about hidden edema.

Visible edema can be determined by the pregnant woman herself based on the following symptoms:

  • A symptom of the ring - a characteristic sign indicates swelling of the fingers: the wedding ring is not removed from the finger or is removed with difficulty.
  • Shoes - habitual and worn shoes suddenly become tight and tight, which indicates swelling of the feet.
  • Socks - after the expectant mother took off her socks, she notices that traces, even pronounced impressions from their elastic bands on her legs, do not disappear for a long time.
  • Symptom of the "fossa" - when pressing a finger on the lower leg (in a place where only the skin covers the tibia), a characteristic depression remains, which does not go away for some time.
  • Ankle volume- when measuring the circumference in the ankle area and increasing it by 1 cm or more per week, it speaks in favor of edema.
  • Signs of generalized edema- with anasarca, not only the legs swell, they are joined by swelling of the hands, labia, anterior abdominal wall and face (lips, eyelids and nose swell). A dangerous symptom is the inability to clench your hand into a fist or bend over and fasten your shoes. Such severe edema during pregnancy may indicate a developed preeclampsia.

Symptoms of edema of various types

Edema of different origins also differ in symptoms:

Cardiac edema

Edema in the early stages begins with the shins, spreading to the thighs and above, symmetrical. In the vertical position of the body, only the legs swell. In a horizontal position, the edema is redistributed to the sacrum and lower back, after sleep (in the early stages) it disappears. Edema is quite dense, "pits" do not disappear for a long time. The skin in the area of ​​edema is cyanotic and cold. Later, the accumulation of fluid in the cavities (pleural, cardiac, abdominal) joins the edema of the subcutaneous tissue. In addition, there is shortness of breath, fatigue and general pallor.

Renal edema

Edema of renal origin is characterized by their appearance from above, and they spread down. Such edema, on the contrary, appears in the morning, and disappears in the evening. They are loose and do not retain a trace of pressure for long. Appear on the face, where the subcutaneous tissue is looser - the eyelids swell. Edema is characterized by a tendency to migrate - it is easy to move when changing the position of the body. The skin in places of edema is pale, warm and dry. There are other symptoms: headaches, high blood pressure, urine becomes the color of "meat slops" (gross hematuria).

Edema in diseases of the veins of the lower extremities

With varicose veins of the lower extremities, edema develops gradually and is associated with a long stay in an upright position. Puffiness appears in the evening, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, redness of the feet, swollen veins, pain may appear. The skin over the edema is warm, sometimes with a cyanotic tint. As a rule, such edema is not symmetrical (appears only on one leg). In the case of thrombophlebitis, edema is accompanied by inflammatory signs: hyperemia, fever, pain along the vein, as well as when moving or touching.

Physiological edema

Usually their severity is insignificant, they appear more often on the legs or fingers of the hands (after prolonged work). They pass on their own, after sleep and the exclusion of provoking factors.

Preeclampsia

Edema with preeclampsia always begins with the feet and ankles (in some cases, the fingers "swell" at the same time). When the condition worsens, the edema rises and spreads to the thighs, labia, and the anterior wall of the abdomen. A doughy pillow appears above the pubis, which makes it difficult or impossible to lean forward (tie shoelaces). Then the swelling of the face joins, its features coarsen, the eyes look like slits due to swollen eyelids. After sleep, visible swelling "disappears" - redistributed throughout the body. Even significant edema is accompanied by a satisfactory condition of the pregnant woman, but nevertheless, they require treatment. Prognostically unfavorable signs are an increase in blood pressure (especially diastolic) and the appearance.

Measures to combat edema

What to do if swelling occurs during pregnancy. First of all, stop panicking and calm down. You can cope with small, physiological edema on your own, but in case of significant or permanent edema, you should consult a doctor who will tell you how to get rid of edema:

Dieting

In nutrition, it is recommended to limit the intake of table salt (but not completely eliminate it). Fluid intake of at least 2 - 2.5 liters per day in small sips and constantly. From drinks, give preference to herbal teas with a sedative effect (mint, lemon balm), fruit drinks and non-carbonated mineral water.

walks

It is recommended to take regular walks for 1.5 - 2 hours at a leisurely pace in the forest park area, which will help disperse "stagnant" blood, raise the overall tone and prevent not only the appearance of excessive body fat, but also swelling.

Herbs with a diuretic effect

Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs with a weak diuretic effect are prescribed only by a doctor. Especially their reception is indicated for diseases of the urinary system. Such medicinal plants include: bearberry, lingonberry leaf, parsley. They have weak diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. Take with caution in edema caused by preeclampsia (in this case, diuretics are contraindicated).

Drugs that increase vascular tone

Remove edema (especially in diseases of the veins of the lower extremities) will help local anticoagulant and strengthening the vascular wall (). Such drugs are prescribed by a doctor. It is allowed to rub Lioton-gel, Venitan, heparin ointment, Essaven gel into the skin of the legs. Oral administration of ascorutin, aescusan, venoruton is also recommended, which strengthen the vascular wall and reduce its permeability.

Wearing compression underwear

Wearing special compression underwear (stockings or tights), which is especially recommended for pregnant women with varicose veins of the legs, will also help relieve swelling during pregnancy. It is necessary to put on stockings / tights in the prone position in order to evenly distribute pressure on the lower limbs.

  • Avoid being in hot places
  • Avoid prolonged standing or sitting.

In a serious condition in case of development of preeclampsia or worsening of chronic extragenital diseases (pathology of the kidneys, liver, heart), the pregnant woman is hospitalized.

Question answer

I swell (during pregnancy). What exactly can and cannot be eaten?

It is recommended to exclude from drinking strong tea (including green tea) and teas that are stimulating and provoke edema, as well as sweet carbonated drinks and juices (cause thirst). You should not refuse to consume salt, but you should exclude, or at least limit the use of highly salted, spicy and pickled foods (pickles, sauerkraut, nuts and chips, and more). Adhere to the rules of a healthy diet, refuse to take smoked meats, sweets and pastries. It is advisable to cook food for a couple, stew, bake or boil, but in no case do not fry. The daily diet should contain a sufficient amount of protein, both animal and vegetable origin (lean meat, offal, cottage cheese, cereals). Also, daily use fresh vegetables and fruits as sources of vitamins, and lactic acid products - a source of calcium. Useful fish and seafood, vegetable oils, which contain a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

What are the dangers of swelling during pregnancy?

Any edema, unless, of course, they are physiological, pose a threat not only to the woman, but also to her unborn baby. A woman, as a rule, is aware of extragenital pathology even before pregnancy, on the eve of which and during gestation, she is prescribed appropriate treatment. A serious complication of pregnancy are edema, provoked by preeclampsia. In the absence of treatment, the development of a preconvulsive state (preeclampsia) and a convulsive seizure (eclampsia) is possible. Signs of preeclampsia are confusion or agitation, swelling of the nose during pregnancy, which is manifested by congestion or a sudden runny nose, flies before the eyes, tinnitus, and so on. Failure to provide timely assistance leads to convulsions, which can result in the death of a pregnant woman.

How can swelling be stopped at home?

Minor edema of physiological origin will help eliminate the following measures:

  • lying position on the left side (reduces the pressure of the uterus on large blood vessels, improves blood circulation in the kidneys);
  • sleep or rest with raised legs (put a small pillow under them);
  • cool foot baths, rubbing the feet with ice cubes;
  • gymnastics and foot massage;
  • refuse heels, giving preference to shoes with a small heel and free;
  • with a long forced position (sitting at a desk), give rest to the legs (raise them on a chair, walk a few steps);
  • avoid wearing tight and constricting clothing (elastic bands, belts, tight collars and socks).

How do I know if I am at risk for the development of edema and preeclampsia?

This group includes pregnant women with existing factors:

  • young (under 17) and late (over 30) age of a woman;
  • gestosis transferred during past pregnancies (especially eclampsia and preeclampsia);
  • pregnancy with more than one fetus;
  • the presence of arterial hypertension before pregnancy;
  • bad habits (both before and during pregnancy);
  • and other endocrine pathology;
  • pronounced early toxicosis;
  • the presence of industrial hazards;
  • revealed hidden edema.

As for nutrition, it is required to exclude foods that provoke fluid retention in the body: smoked meats, salty, spicy, fried foods. You should also avoid eating sweets.

Use less salt or avoid it altogether. It is forbidden to reduce the amount of fluid consumed, since the body, with its lack, will begin to accumulate it in reserve, and this will lead to the appearance of edema. However, it is recommended to drink only plain water (it is possible to add lemon to it). Water should be drunk more than two liters per day. To avoid the occurrence of edema, you should drink less in the evening and at night. The use of sugary, carbonated drinks and coffee is not recommended.

On the recommendation of a doctor, it is possible to use cranberry or lingonberry juice or tea with a diuretic effect to improve fluid excretion. With edema, it is also useful to use an infusion of dried apricots. To do this, pour several berries with boiling water and let it brew. This infusion should be drunk half an hour before meals.

However, in the case of preeclampsia of the second or third degree, drugs are used. Since gestosis threatens the life of the mother and child, it should be fought.

In this case, a pregnant woman is often prescribed diuretic drugs that are allowed during pregnancy, for example, Kanefron. To improve utero-placental metabolism, agents containing vitamin E and magnesium may be prescribed. With the help of droppers, the lack of protein and fluid in the body of a pregnant woman is replenished. At high pressure, antihypertensive drugs are used.

On the Internet, there are many different folk methods for getting rid of edema during pregnancy. However, you should treat them with caution and consult your doctor before using them.

You are interested to know why the legs swell during the period of bearing a baby. How dangerous are swelling of the legs during pregnancy, why they occur, what is the reason and how to deal with them.

What is edema and what causes it

One of the complications of gestation is edema. It affects the legs, arms, face. It happens to almost all expectant mothers after 22 weeks, but it manifests itself strongly by 35.

Why are my legs swollen at 38 weeks pregnant? The appearance of edema contributes to an increase in fluid in the body. This is how preeclampsia symptoms appear, which can be dangerous in the last trimester of pregnancy. The main causes of violations during the period of bearing a child:

  1. excess fluid in the body;
  2. there are varicose veins on the legs;
  3. impaired kidney function;
  4. uncomfortable shoes and clothes;
  5. disruption of the thyroid gland and heart;
  6. frequent diarrhea;
  7. acute thrombophlebitis;
  8. preeclampsia (read the article Preeclampsia during pregnancy >>>).

Swelling in the legs and arms occurs with diseases of the joints, with venous insufficiency, if the expectant mother does not move much, she is overweight. In any case, you need to visit a doctor.

The cause of swelling is not always clear. The gynecologist will appoint you to undergo an additional examination.

  • You will need to do an ultrasound of the kidneys and take blood tests;
  • The main task of a woman is to count diuresis (see also an article on a related topic: Frequent urination during pregnancy >>>);
  • It is necessary to record the amount of fluid consumed and the mass of urine excreted. In the event that there is not enough urine, you will be prescribed special therapy.

Puffiness may depend on the weather, on the time of day.

  1. If swelling appears abruptly on the face and hands, it is very dangerous. At the same time, blood supply is disturbed and pressure rises;
  2. In addition, the growing uterus presses on the veins of the small pelvis, which leads to stagnation of blood in the lower extremities;
  3. Swelling of the ankles and feet during pregnancy can be from a lack of potassium when a woman consumes salty foods, canned and smoked foods, and caffeine.

This pathology has 4 stages of manifestation:

  • legs swell first;
  • then thighs, abdomen and lower back;
  • face and hands;
  • whole body.

In the later stages, when the uterus strongly presses on the urea, the pathology arises from a poor outflow of urine.

What is dangerous and whether edema threatens everyone during the gestation period

Edema, in this period, is not always dangerous.

  1. At this time, sodium salts accumulate in the body of the expectant mother, attracting water;
  2. When certain factors affect the body, physiological edema develops, which is considered quite normal in this period and should not cause concern;
  3. If it has arisen - you just need to remove the cause.
  • The legs swell during pregnancy, when there are disorders in the woman's body that affect her health;
  • In this situation, the edema is accompanied by weakness, high blood pressure, high fever, and it becomes difficult for a woman to move around;
  • In this case, the pathology occurs already in another part of the body, and not just on the legs.

Attention! Severe swelling is a symptom of preeclampsia, which leads to a sharp jump in pressure and rapid weight gain. In severe forms of preeclampsia, vision drops, irritability and pain in the abdomen appear, and the head hurts badly.

It is also a sign:

  1. blood clot in the legs;
  2. poor circulation;
  3. the presence of sugar in the blood;
  4. heart and kidney failure.

Sometimes accompanied by numbness of the limbs, discomfort and pain.

Pathological edema is associated with a violation of the water-salt metabolism in the body, when the outflow of blood and lymph through the veins of the legs does not occur correctly and, at the same time, the blood thickens.

Important! Ignoring the problem threatens to disrupt the connection between the expectant mother and the baby through the placenta, hypoxia, and abortion.

Edema in different trimesters of pregnancy

In the first trimester, swelling is not visible. In the second trimester, if edema appeared before 36 weeks, then doctors consider this a pathology of early gestation. At this time, this problem is associated with chronic diseases that worsened during the period of gestation. In this case, the gynecologist sends the woman for a heart and kidney examination.

Legs, in the early stages, may swell from the following reasons:

  • the initial stage of varicose veins;
  • there is a predisposition to kidney problems;
  • a woman consumes a lot of liquid;
  • abuse of salty foods.

Swelling of the legs during late pregnancy is considered absolutely normal. At this time, swelling occurs on the arms and legs, face, abdomen and neck. In the last months, with a severe form, they can spread throughout the body. The provoking factor for the appearance of edema in the later stages are:

  1. Multiple pregnancy;
  2. preeclampsia;
  3. chronic diseases;
  4. Eating a lot of sweet and fatty foods.

Of course, this problem in the later stages signals the presence of a serious illness.

To diagnose this disease, the doctor will take blood tests, urine tests, and do an ultrasound. As additional diagnostic methods, it is possible to do dopplerography and coagulogram. Hospitalization is required for treatment. This is important for saving the life and health of both the baby and the woman herself.

It is quite natural when the legs swell at the 36th week of pregnancy. After all, under the pressure of the fetus, the vessels of the legs narrow and as a result, blood does not flow well to the legs. But, if the expectant mother is gaining weight sharply, then she should be under the supervision of a doctor.

If this problem is not treated, it will lead to circulatory disorders in the placenta, which is fraught with hypoxia in the child and premature birth.

Know! In the presence of eclampsia and preeclampsia, a pregnant woman experiences leg cramps, which are not always possible to remove, the woman loses consciousness, and in an advanced situation, she falls into an eclamptic coma.

How to get rid of swelling

How to get rid of leg swelling during pregnancy? First, you need to determine the cause. It will not be possible to completely remove them, but you can alleviate the condition. You can apply the following tips:

  • consume less salt;
  • drink no more than 1 liter of water per day;
  • do not abuse fatty and sweet foods (read the article

Edema appears in most pregnant women, but is this the norm? In the article - more about the problem and how to solve it.

  • Almost every woman faces edema of varying severity during pregnancy. Some accumulation of water in her body is considered physiological and is not a cause for concern.
  • But there are cases when expectant mothers' feet and shins swell so much that it is impossible to wear shoes, and soon the swelling spreads to the stomach, hands and face.
  • This is already a sign of pathology. In order not to worry about herself and the baby, to identify and solve the problem in time, a woman needs to know why swelling appears, how to prevent them and quickly remove them.

Swelling of the legs and feet during pregnancy, what to do?

Swelling of the legs indicates that an excessive amount of fluid accumulates and is retained in the body. According to medical data, 80% of expectant mothers face a similar problem.

There are 4 stages of excessive accumulation of fluid in the body

  1. - swollen legs
  2. - swollen hands
  3. - swelling of the stomach and face
  4. - general dropsy

IMPORTANT: It is very easy to determine that the limbs are swollen. It is enough to lightly press your finger on the enlarged place. If a depression remains on the skin, which will “tighten” slowly, then there is swelling.

Swelling of the legs in a pregnant woman, no matter how strange it may sound, can be a variant of the norm. In order for a new life to form, to provide it with all the necessary substances, the mother's body needs more fluids - water, as a structural element of cells, as well as blood and lymph.

By the end of pregnancy, the volume of fluid in a woman increases by 5-8 liters. The human body is smart, it needs all this in order to:

  • the woman's blood has become less viscous and more "fluid" in order to better provide the child with oxygen and nutrients
  • to recover faster after blood loss during childbirth


A dent after pressing with a finger is a sign of edema.

Puffiness of the legs, as a rule, appears after the 20th week of pregnancy, if it does not indicate a pathology, it does not have a pronounced expression and does not increase intensively, closer to the second half of the day.

The feet and shins “swim”, the shoes begin to press. To relieve the discomfort caused by it, it is enough for a woman:

  • revise your menu for the ratio of water and salt
  • walk less
  • periodically rest with elevated legs
  • drink a mild diuretic herbal drink

IMPORTANT: According to the observations of doctors, edema not associated with pathology is most often observed in women of short stature with overweight

There are also cases when the legs of pregnant women begin to swell rapidly. First, the feet increase in volume, then the ankles and lower legs, then the edema spreads to the stomach, arms and face.

The same goes for pathology. It can be associated with both the pregnancy itself and with any unrelated disease.

  1. Edema in the 2nd-3rd trimesters may occur due to impaired blood circulation due to compression of the blood vessels located in the small pelvis by the growing uterus and fetus
  2. The legs swell due to the fact that the growing uterus and fetus compress the ureters, the process of urine excretion is disturbed
  3. A woman may have kidney problems, related or not related to the "interesting position". Before she became pregnant, there might not have been a symptom in the form of edema, but due to hormonal changes in the body, an increase in the volume of fluid and an increased load on the kidneys, it manifested itself. Such a pathology is easily identified by the results of blood and urine tests.
  4. The cause of swelling of the legs in a woman in anticipation of a baby can also be diseases of the cardiovascular system. In this case, in addition to an increase in the volume of her legs, she may be disturbed by pain in the heart and shortness of breath.
  5. A very dangerous reason for the accumulation of pregnant fluid in the body is preeclampsia, in which the vessels spasm, blood clotting and fluidity are disturbed, its circulation throughout the body is disrupted, as a result of which all organs suffer. Preeclampsia has a so-called symptomatic triad - swelling, proteinuria, hypertension

IMPORTANT: Excessive accumulation of fluid in the body of a pregnant woman is indicated by excessive weight gain, more than 300 g per week.



A pregnant woman should be examined for edema at each appointment in the LCD.

A pregnant woman should not ignore the problem of leg swelling. At each appointment in the antenatal clinic, the doctor must not only weigh the expectant mother to determine how much she has gained, but also examine her limbs.

If this was not done, but the woman herself noticed swelling, for example, in the evening, she must definitely tell the doctor about it. To decide what to do with swelling of the legs, you need to find out the reason why they formed.

VIDEO: Swelling of the legs in pregnant women

Swelling of the face and nose during pregnancy, causes

They say that while waiting for a baby, a woman becomes the most beautiful. Those future mothers who during this period faced swelling of the face and nose will only laugh at this statement.



The face of a pregnant woman may become swollen, rounded, puffy due to:

  • violations of the water-salt balance
  • hormonal changes
  • violations of the outflow of lymph and blood
  • preeclampsia

IMPORTANT: The subcutaneous fat layer on the face is quite loose, so swelling on it is usually pronounced

During pregnancy, the nasal mucosa also swells, which gives the woman considerable discomfort. She may develop "pregnancy runny nose". The cause of this phenomenon is considered to be hormonal changes. This condition is treated symptomatically.

Hands swell during pregnancy, what to do?

  • Hand swelling is the second stage of general swelling. Fluid accumulations are noted on the fingers and wrists
  • A woman can notice them only at the moment when the rings begin to press, it becomes difficult or even impossible to remove them.
  • Swollen hands become less sensitive and obedient, because of which the expectant mother may suffer


IMPORTANT: It has been noticed that puffiness of the hands appears more often in women to whom they serve as a “working tool” - those who sew, knit, work at a computer, write a lot, etc.

To get rid of swelling in the hands, in addition to general medicines and folk remedies, a woman is recommended to do special gymnastics for her fingers and wrists.

VIDEO: Pain in the hands during pregnancy

Edema during late pregnancy

Edema during pregnancy, as a rule, manifests itself precisely in the later stages, when:

  • the size and weight of the fetus and uterus are already significant
  • a large amount of fluid has accumulated in the body of a woman
  • chronic diseases of the cardiovascular and urinary systems made themselves felt


IMPORTANT: It is from the 6th month of pregnancy that gestosis can appear, which is a dangerous condition for both the expectant mother and her baby

Treatment for edema during pregnancy with drugs and drugs

Whenever swelling appears, from the very beginning of pregnancy or in the later stages, it is necessary to find out its cause and, if necessary, to be treated.

In addition to an external examination, the following diagnostic techniques help the doctor to confirm edema:

  1. Urinary control. If the expectant mother is healthy, her urine output should be 75% of the fluid she drinks. If the diuresis is less, fluid retention in the body can be assumed
  2. Ankle measurements. Edema becomes more pronounced in the evening. If the volume of the ankle in the evening is 1 cm or more greater than in the morning, this indicates swelling of the legs.
  3. Blister plug. A saline solution is injected under the skin on the woman's shoulder. If there is no excess fluid in the tissues, the solution should dissolve within 60-90 minutes


Kanefron is a drug that removes excess fluid from the body of a pregnant woman.

Symptomatically, edema is treated with pharmaceutical preparations from various groups:

  1. Diuretics. They are used extremely rarely, since along with urine they wash out useful substances from the body, contribute to a significant decrease in pressure, increase cholesterol and blood sugar, negatively affect the heart and kidneys, in a word, they can lead to a condition dangerous for the expectant mother and her baby. If such drugs are prescribed, then it is Furosemide, Lazex or Hypothiazid. With gestosis, diuretics are completely contraindicated
  2. Light drugs with a diuretic effect, including herbal ones. They are designed to remove excess fluid from the body of a woman. This is Kanefron and Phytolysin
  3. Antispasmodics. They are prescribed to optimize blood circulation. This is No-shpa, Magne B 6
  4. Vascular strengthening drugs. They make the walls of blood vessels strong and elastic. These are Hofitol and Curantil


Hofitol is a drug for strengthening blood vessels in edema.

How to get rid of edema folk remedies? Lingonberries and cranberries from edema during pregnancy: recipes and use

If a woman does not have allergies, with the permission of a doctor, she can start taking folk remedies for edema - herbal teas, decoctions or infusions. They have a decongestant property and are not prohibited during pregnancy:

  • green tea
  • dried apricots
  • cowberry
  • cranberry
  • pumpkin
  • centaury
  • bear ears
  • horsetail
  • bearberry

RECIPE: A decoction of dried apricots from edema in pregnant women



You need: 8-10 dried apricots, 0.5 liters of boiling water.
Dried apricots are poured with boiling water and left overnight. In the morning, the resulting broth is divided into three doses and drunk half an hour before meals.

RECIPE: Cowberry leaf decongestant



Phytopreparation can be bought ready-made at a pharmacy. It is brewed and drunk according to the instructions or recommendation of a doctor. Usually, this is 1 filter bag or 1 teaspoon of herbs per 200 ml of boiling water. Take half a glass of lingonberry leaf tea before meals.

RECIPE: Cranberries for pregnant women from edema



Needed: cranberries - 1 cup, water - 1 liter, sugar and honey to taste
Berries are poured with water, brought to a boil and boiled for 1 minute. Infuse the drink for 1 hour. Already cooled, it is sweetened or flavored with honey.

IMPORTANT: Cranberry and lingonberry juices will also help against mild swelling.

How to avoid swelling during pregnancy? Edema prevention

To avoid problems with edema during pregnancy, a woman needs:

  1. Take control of your own health. It is advisable to undergo a complete medical examination even before the onset of pregnancy, in extreme cases, in its early stages. Then it will be possible to identify health problems in time, as a result of which puffiness may appear, and take appropriate measures.
  2. Healthy food. The amount of salt consumed should be reduced. Fatty and fried foods, canned food, smoked meats, pickles also contribute to fluid retention in tissues. Therefore, it is better not to eat all these harmful things.
  3. Drink water. Then its movement in the tissues will be optimal
  4. Move. Even small physical activity is the prevention of edema
  5. Strengthen the walls of blood vessels. As a preventive measure, the expectant mother may be prescribed vitamin E


  • be outdoors more
  • alternate exercise with rest
  • refuse to perform monotonous actions with hands and feet
  • sleep and rest with feet on a small hill
  • eliminate coffee

If a woman has swelling during pregnancy, it is important for her to follow all the recommendations. After all, if there are swelling outside, they are inside. And this means that the blood circulation of organs, including the uterus, suffers.
Judging by the reviews, the measures to eliminate edema recommended by the doctor are effective.

VIDEO: Edema during pregnancy. What to do with swelling during pregnancy

The last months of pregnancy are always considered the most difficult for a woman. Difficulties are caused not only by an increase in the mass of the fetus, but also by the body's reaction to a new life inside the womb. The most common problem is swelling during late pregnancy. In most cases, the cause of their appearance is physiological in nature, but exceptions are possible. When to sound the alarm and consult a doctor, you will learn from the materials in this article.

Edema in late pregnancy - normal or pathological?

Not every clinical case of edema during pregnancy indicates the presence of complications. The third trimester is characterized by an increase in the size of the uterus, which increases pressure on the ureters. A woman has problems with urination, and swelling occurs.

Also, this problem is diagnosed against the background of weight gain. For this reason, weight control of a pregnant woman is mandatory. To avoid edema or reduce their severity, doctors recommend sticking to a dairy-vegetarian diet.

Limiting the amount of liquid, on the contrary, is not worth it. Doctors advise to drink up to two liters of water per day, but at the same time maintain strict control over the amount of urine. Its volume should be at least 60% of the amount of fluid consumed.

The situations described above are a prime example of physiological edema. You can reduce their manifestation by adjusting the diet and mode. When this approach does not bring the desired results, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Edema is dangerous not only for physical or aesthetic discomfort. Often they are a symptom of serious pathologies (varicose veins, renal failure, preeclampsia).

Late preeclampsia is considered the most common and at the same time dangerous disorder. If the general condition of the woman is satisfactory, but severe edema is observed, the gynecologist should be informed about this. If this is not done in a timely manner, such neglect of one's own health and well-being of the baby can affect the mother-placenta-fetus system. Violation of this scheme often leads to oxygen starvation of the child, which affects its development.

Why do edema appear?

Edema during pregnancy in the later stages appears gradually. First of all, then this process "rises" through the body, affecting the lower back and arms. In especially serious cases - the face.

If we exclude physiological, there are a great many reasons for the development of pathological edema.

  1. Protein deficiency.
  2. Kidney disease (impaired outflow of fluid from the body).
  3. Pathology of the thyroid gland (change in water-salt balance).
  4. Cardiovascular disease (impaired blood circulation).
  5. Phlebeurysm.
  6. Overweight.

Only a doctor can determine the nature of edema. After a complete diagnostic examination and identification of the cause of the pathology, the woman is prescribed treatment.

Facial swelling in late pregnancy

During pregnancy, this is a fairly common problem. First of all, the eyelids swell, and the face takes on a rounded shape.

A special case is swelling of the nose. Among the causes of its occurrence can be noted the accumulation of fluid in the vessels, as well as problems with the respiratory tract. Swelling of the nose is usually accompanied by a runny nose, dryness or itching.

Runny nose and swelling at 38 weeks of gestation are fairly common phenomena that complement each other. In this case, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will select the medicine. After the birth of the baby, this problem is resolved by itself. Rhinitis for a pregnant woman is completely safe, but can affect the development of the fetus. With nasal congestion, the baby inside the womb experiences a lack of oxygen, which entails negative consequences.

Swelling of the legs in late pregnancy

The process of fluid retention is carried out in the direction from the bottom up. That is why, first of all, the legs of a pregnant woman suffer. The manifestation of this pathology is more noticeable in the evening. During the day, the accumulated fluid descends, concentrating in the limbs. At night, it is distributed throughout the body, so the swelling of the legs is not so noticeable. If after rest the symptoms disappear, there is no reason to worry.

In what case is it necessary to consult a doctor? It is necessary to seek qualified help when the swelling in the legs does not subside even in the morning. The causes of the pathological condition are usually hidden in late gestosis.

At the initial stage, in addition to swelling in the legs, women complain of malaise, fatigue and poor health. An alarming symptom is uneven or excessively large weight gain (more than 500 g per week). It can also increase blood pressure, appear protein in the urine, convulsions. If, after a diagnostic examination, the diagnosis of preeclampsia is confirmed, the woman is hospitalized. The future woman in labor and her baby require complex treatment and constant monitoring.

Swelling of the fingers during pregnancy

If your fingers begin to swell, it's time to sound the alarm. The first sign of a problem is the inability to remove the ring. In addition, numbness and tingling in the fingers are observed.

This problem should not be ignored. The higher the swelling rises through the body, the greater the danger to the child. Do not hesitate and postpone the visit to the doctor. The sooner you report a problem, the more likely it is to be successfully treated.

Swelling of the fingers during pregnancy is usually due to the professional activities of a woman. Similar phenomena occur with repeated manipulations of the same type of brushes. It can be computer work, knitting or embroidery. Edema is often accompanied by a characteristic pain in the wrist, which is otherwise referred to in medical practice. If you are engaged in such work, it is better to give it up for a while and do special exercises for the hands.

What is hidden edema?

Excessive women (more than 300 g per week) may indicate such a problem. For the entire duration of pregnancy, weight gain should not exceed 12 kg. Otherwise, the doctor prescribes control of the consumed fluid and excreted urine. The McClure-Aldrich test is also particularly informative. A woman is injected subcutaneously with sodium chloride. After a large blister forms at the injection site, which persists for an hour. With hidden edema, it does not appear at all or disappears very quickly. According to the results of the examination, the woman is prescribed a course of treatment.

medical examination

Each appointment of a pregnant woman at the gynecologist is accompanied by a physical examination. This is especially true of the legs and face, as it allows diagnosing pastosity in the early stages. Another mandatory step at the reception at the gynecologist is weighing. This is the best way to determine excessive weight gain. Edema during late pregnancy is a certain phenomenon that is often caused by an increase in a woman's body weight.

Before each appointment, a future woman in labor must take urine tests. With the help of such a test, the doctor can check the functioning of the kidneys and differentiate the physiological variant of the swelling.

It is very difficult to establish why swelling occurs during late pregnancy. To make a diagnosis, the gynecologist requires additional results (ultrasound of the kidneys, blood tests, etc.). After that, the specialist can judge the presence of pathologies and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Edema in late pregnancy. What to do?

For prevention purposes, as well as for physiological edema, doctors advise future women in labor to follow fairly simple recommendations.

You should lead an active lifestyle, spend as little time in a sitting position as possible. Sports and fitness activities designed specifically for women in position are considered useful.

To reduce swelling in the legs, the causes of which are often hidden in the accumulation of fluid in the lower extremities, special baths can be done. The water must not be hot. You can add some essential oil to it. Such baths give a positive effect with regular repetition of the procedure.

Try to avoid overheating, stay less in stuffy rooms and in direct sunlight. Wear only high-quality and comfortable shoes, preferably without a heel.

As for the issue of nutrition, it is necessary to exclude salty, spicy, smoked and fried foods. All of them directly affect fluid retention in the body. You should also limit the consumption of sweets and pastries.

Excessive consumption of salt leads to fluid retention in the body, resulting in swelling during pregnancy. The testimonials of many women who followed this recommendation really prove this statement. One has only to give up the use of salt, as the edema begins to pass on its own. But the amount of liquid should not be reduced. It is recommended to consume up to two liters of the most ordinary non-carbonated water per day.

Medical treatment of edema

Treatment recommendations for the fight against swelling are most often limited to those outlined above. Some women are advised to wear compression stockings and use special anti-edema products (gels, ointments). In the event of complications and preeclampsia of the second degree, drug treatment is indispensable. It is important to understand that gestosis carries a threat not only for the future woman in labor, but also for her baby in the womb.

Usually, women with such a diagnosis are prescribed diuretics (Canephron, Fitolizin). These funds normalize the work of the kidneys, have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. Also shown is the intake of multivitamin complexes to improve uteroplacental blood flow. With the help of droppers, the deficiency of protein and fluid in the body of a woman is restored. With high blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs are prescribed.

Help of traditional medicine

In specialized sources you can find many recipes of traditional medicine. Before resorting to the help of one or another remedy for edema, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Many believe in miraculous This berry is rich in vitamins and really helps with swelling. It should be understood that each organism is individual, therefore, a doctor's consultation is required before use. Lingonberry improves the tone of the body. Without that, a constantly tense uterus can receive a double dose of this tone. This kind of negligence can lead to the threat of termination of pregnancy.

Treatment with folk remedies involves the use of various herbal tinctures. Plants that have the greatest diuretic effect are usually chosen (kidney tea, bearberry leaves, horsetail). It is recommended to drink no more than one glass of any of the listed infusions per day. The treatment time is usually about a month.

As a rule, such recommendations are suitable for women with physiological edema. In the case of pathologies in the body, complex drug treatment is indispensable, and traditional medicine recipes can be used as a supplement.

Conclusion

Now you know why swelling during pregnancy should not be ignored, in which cases a doctor's consultation is required. Carrying a baby for all nine months is a rather important period in the life of every woman. While the child is developing, his life and health are in your hands. If you follow the diet and rest, follow the doctor's instructions, motherhood brings only positive emotions.