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Why legs swell during pregnancy. Causes of edema of the lower extremities during pregnancy. What to do with edema in a pregnant woman, not caused by diseases - we get rid of edema during pregnancy

In a woman, after conception, significant changes begin to occur. Swelling of the legs during pregnancy is one of the most common symptoms. Such a symptom cannot be ignored, because often it can speak of a developing disease.

In most cases, swelling during pregnancy is temporary.

It happens when the symptoms are a manifestation of severe complications.

Highly qualified gynecologists who guide patients during the prenatal period understand well how dangerous edema is and that there may be either concomitant diseases or a hereditary factor for varicose veins. In the middle and severe stage, they are referred to a specialist who can find out if there is any concomitant pathology of the veins of the lower extremities or lymphatic vessels.

From the middle of the second trimester, the uterus increases in size and a certain compression of the iliac veins in the small pelvis is obtained. The expansion leads to venous congestion. Intercellular lymphatic edema is formed, which leads to the so-called chronic lymphovenous insufficiency. This is what makes pregnant women feel heaviness, rapid fatigue when moving. Edema syndrome may not even allow you to fall asleep at night. In severe cases, a vascular surgeon should be consulted.

To find out why the legs swell during pregnancy, it is necessary to correctly determine the nature of the disease.

  • - The kidneys do not fully fulfill their excretory function.
  • - The enlarging uterus compresses the adjacent organs and veins in the pelvic region, causing disturbances in blood circulation due to which fluid stagnation occurs.

The mildest degree of swelling, when it manifests itself in an increase in the volume of only the lower leg. The next stage is when the legs swell in the ankles during pregnancy and in the feet. Sometimes passing into the thigh and lower abdomen. In the third, symptoms appear on the fingers and face. On the fourth, almost all parts of the body are swollen.

Edema reduction methods

  • - physiotherapy.

One of the effective solutions to the patient's problem, when a question arises, the question of how to get rid of edema, are special exercises.

The most prescribed posture by doctors is the knee. Its prevalence is due to the fact that when it is performed, the entire weight of the body and abdomen falls down and, since the kidneys are in this position from above, they rest. This position is 15 minutes.

It should be remembered that the uterus compresses large vessels from below and if the whole day is spent standing, blood rushes to the lower extremities as to a working organ and edema occurs. After the women have walked, they can lie down on a hard surface at home and raise their legs against the wall. The peculiarity of this exercise is that a small roller or pillow must be placed under the pelvis in order to raise it. If this is not done, there will be a sharp bend and outflow will not occur. In this position, venous congestion becomes less.

  • - Medical method.

To know how to relieve swelling, you need to correctly diagnose its cause. Therefore, the drugs are prescribed by the doctor. Most often, medications are prescribed that are prescribed for renal failure, for example, Canephron. Blood thinning therapy may be prescribed. For this, heparin and aspirin preparations are used. In other cases, medications are prescribed to improve blood circulation between the mother and the fetus. This is Actovegin, petoxifylline.

  • - The use of diuretics in the form of herbal infusions, fruit drinks from berries and dried fruits.
  • - Relaxing baths.

Prevention

Many people know about the possible occurrence of a problem and women are faced with the question of preventing leg edema during pregnancy, what to do to prevent this process:

  • - you need to reduce salt intake and limit the amount of sugar,
  • - do fasting days with rapid weight gain,
  • - wear shoes without heels,
  • - avoid direct sunlight in hot weather,
  • - putting a pillow under your feet while sleeping,
  • - refuse carbonated drinks.
  • - try to reduce the time spent on your feet. If you are forced to sit often, you can try to hold them a little in an extended position, placing them on a chair.

Given that the kidneys and bladder start to work more actively after lunch, then you can take more fluids before lunch. After lunch, due to the activation of the kidneys and bladder, the fluid that has accumulated in the body will begin to be excreted.

You need to drink enough, 4 glasses a day. If you decrease the amount, you will have the opposite effect. This will negatively affect the work of the brain, and the body will begin to "store" water in all organs, and as a result, edema will occur.

Sometimes edematous syndrome is a symptom of a disease of histosis. How to determine edema with this diagnosis will help a gynecologist. In this case, it is better to be treated in a hospital, where they will do special therapy. This is drug therapy. At the initial stage, doctors prescribe diuretic herbs in order to find out whether it will be possible to remove the symptoms of puffiness in the easiest way or not.

Late terms of bearing a child

Usually, swelling on the legs appears in the last period before childbirth. This phenomenon cannot be considered natural.

Legs during late pregnancy begin to swell towards the end of the third trimester. This problem occurs because at this time the outflow of urine is disturbed due to the compression of the ureter by the uterus.

The appearance of the problem at 33 weeks of gestation is often associated with a significantly increased fetal size.

Week 34 is the time when it is best to remove the rings from the fingers, in order to avoid stagnation of blood due to the compression of the ring of swollen fingers. It's also worth starting to pay attention to weight control.

When bloating appears at 35 weeks of gestation, the first step is to normalize the diet, and start monitoring the ratio of water taken and removed from the body. During this period, the symptoms may already begin to affect the further process of labor.

It is believed that from the 36th week of pregnancy, the problem arises from an excess of fluid. The amount of liquid should not exceed one and a half liters. At 37 weeks of gestation, swelling in the legs may also indicate a swollen state of the placenta, which will limit the supply of oxygen to the baby, which is very dangerous for his life.

At 38 weeks, this problem is considered the most common complaint made to an obstetrician - gynecologist. From this time on, pain begins to accompany swelling in the legs.

Flowing into the body at 38 weeks of gestation, when a woman has already gained a full weight gain, often occurs due to excess pounds. Normally, the increase should be 12 kilograms. If it is more than 1 kilogram, it is worth changing the diet of the food you eat. With an accelerated weight gain, a gynecologist can diagnose dropsy, characterized by edema due to a violation of water - salt metabolism in the body.

If your legs are swollen at 39 weeks, you should pay attention to which organs are still susceptible to edema. When symptoms also appear in the nasal cavity, this can lead to the fact that the fetus will experience a lack of oxygen. In this case, vasoconstrictor nasal drops can be used. When the legs swell in the last days before childbirth, it is important to lie in the correct position so that the uterus does not squeeze the blood vessels too much. This is best done on your side, with a pillow or roller under one leg.

How to remove swelling yourself

A woman in a position, regularly observing swelling of the lower extremities, can try to reduce the pathology on her own before contacting a gynecologist. How to remove edema without harm to your own health and the condition of the fetus, you can find out by visiting any Internet resource dedicated to pregnancy and childbirth. Emergency care in this case includes:

A diet that limits the intake of salt, as well as smoked meats, spices and fried foods. Gastronomic restrictions of this kind contribute to the formation of the body's salt balance, accelerate metabolism, reduce weight, which can significantly reduce blood pressure. It will not be too late to adjust nutrition at 36-37 weeks of pregnancy.

Drinking enough fluids. Oddly enough, but the body of a woman suffering from edema of the lower extremities is often dehydrated. Even in the later stages of gestation, the expectant mother needs to consume 1-1.5 liters of water daily;

Light exercise. Physical education helps to get rid of congestion in the lower extremities, and also stimulates the motor activity of the fetus, as a result of which, changing the position of the baby can reduce the pressure on the vessels of the small pelvis. A woman should attend gymnastics classes for pregnant women, as this will help to obtain information on how to reduce swelling in the tissues of the body.

-effective rest. It consists in the need to take a horizontal position of the body as soon as possible. A woman needs to rest with her legs raised above the bed using a roller or pillow. It is impossible to put leg by leg, especially at a gestational age of more than 36 weeks, because blood circulation is impaired more rapidly, which contributes to the occurrence of varicose veins and thrombosis. The fetus is already large enough and during this period the load on the vessels increases many times over.
-special massage. You can knead swollen legs with a cool stream of water from the shower and with your palms, rubbing special compounds into the skin. In both cases, the massage therapist needs to move from the feet to the thighs to restore restricted blood flow. All these measures in combination are good even in the early stages of pregnancy as a prevention of puffiness.

Diuretics

Diuretics for edema are the basis of therapy for this complication. Herbal medicine is best used when leg swelling is mild. The reason for this is isolated cases or the intake of an excess of food and water into the body. The decision to use such a method should be made only after consulting a gynecologist.

Leaves of lingonberry, white birch, bearberry, corn silk have effective diuretic properties. Dried fruit compotes also effectively remove liquid. Lingonberry and cranberry fruit drinks are also very effective. Meadowsweet grass, kidney tea, grass and roots of the field erythematosus, fruits of garden parsley. The infusion is brewed in a steam bath.

Ointments

During treatment, an ointment for edema is often prescribed. Although this is one of the most common methods of dealing with the problem, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the need for this therapy and dosages.

Ointments containing heparin and rutin work to strengthen the capillary system. These include the following drugs:

help to normalize blood circulation will be able to "Essaven gel", heparin ointment. This drug also helps to eliminate microthrombi. Venitan will help to strengthen the walls of veins and capillaries. Lyoton and Troxevasin also have analgesic and cooling effects.

Creams

To date, a cream for edema of the legs during pregnancy is actively prescribed by doctors. There are many Chinese varicose veins creams on the pharmacy market, which have a positive effect on blood vessels. The cream for edema of the legs, produced on the basis of horse chestnut, is very helpful. It helps to eliminate the likelihood of blood clots.

Foot baths

For swelling of the legs during pregnancy, foot baths are one of the most effective methods. Cool water is great for relaxing and relieving symptoms. The average temperature should be 22-23 degrees. To enhance the effect, a previously prepared herbal infusion can be added to the water. After taking the bath, it is best to lie down on your side and rest.

If only situational edema occurs after a long walk, you can do salt baths. Pour water into a basin or bath until the level of edema, pour sea salt into it. To determine if there is enough salt, you can taste the water, it should resemble sea water in salinity. The water temperature can go up to 37-38 degrees. Hold your feet in such water for a while. At this time, due to asthmatic pressure, fluid in the body will swell to where it comes into contact with salt water.

It should be understood that the occurrence of edema is always an alarming factor. In any case, it is worth monitoring the indicators of urine tests and constant consultation with a gynecologist, which will protect you from unnecessary problems associated with this pathological factor.

Unconventional ways to combat leg swelling

The doctor can also advise folk remedies, for example, the use of decoctions of herbs, applying cold cabbage leaves to the affected areas. Good results are obtained with acupuncture and manual therapy. It is important for a woman to understand that both conservative treatment and non-traditional methods of treating puffiness should be monitored by the attending physician. Self-medication or hope for feedback from patients with similar symptoms of the disease during pregnancy is unacceptable.

Swelling in pregnant women is very common. About half of all pregnant women suffer from swelling around the ankles, especially during the last few months of pregnancy. Also, this problem often manifests itself in the toes and shins.

The worst usually happens towards the end of the day, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet.

Causes of edema during pregnancy

Swelling of the legs during pregnancy occurs because your body contains more fluid than normal. The increased pressure in the veins of the legs and the pressure from your growing baby on the large veins in the groin also add to the problems. The whole thing, surprisingly enough, is in the force of attraction, which, as it were, concentrates the liquid at the lowest points of your body.

Some doctors associate swelling with the production of a special hormone that impairs the elasticity of blood vessels. An excess of sodium in the body can also be the cause, since it delays the removal of fluid from the tissues.

The following factors increase the severity of edema:

  • smoking;
  • hot weather;
  • physical exercises;
  • an abundance of spicy and salty foods;
  • fatigue.

The main signs of leg edema during pregnancy

Swelling of the legs is of varying severity, and sometimes you may not even notice them. But this does not mean that they should be ignored, otherwise they can develop into more serious diseases. Moreover, their external expression can also mean internal changes, which is much more serious. If you began to crush shoes, rings on your toes, if you began to gain weight quickly or unevenly (more than 300 g per week), this is a sign of edema.

« Normal "edema in a healthy woman:

  • appear in the third trimester of pregnancy;
  • usually localized in the area of ​​the legs and feet after an active day, in the late afternoon;
  • after rest and some procedures, which we will discuss below, they decrease or disappear altogether;
  • are not accompanied by pain and swelling in other places, a general deterioration in health.

Such swelling of the legs during pregnancy does not need to be treated.

Dangers of edema

We do not want to scare you, but it is better to immediately consult a doctor if you notice such symptoms in yourself:

It is better to play it safe and go to your doctor once again, especially since the life and health of two people are at stake.

When will the swelling subside?

Within about 24 hours after giving birth, most women will already notice that the swelling has diminished. Don't worry if it takes a few days to clear up the swelling, this is normal: your body takes time to recover and get back in shape after prolonged stress. Keep following the tips for reducing puffiness and things will work out soon.

How to reduce the severity of leg swelling?

You cannot stop the swelling process, but you can limit, reduce its manifestation. So, what do experts advise to prevent leg edema and reduce their severity?

If you want to reduce swelling, follow these simple rules:

In general, every expectant mother quickly determines which method is right for her. Someone is helped by active pastime, someone - maximum rest, someone - group yoga or gymnastics.

Alternative methods of treating leg edema in pregnant women

By "treatment" we mean a decrease in the severity of manifestations, since edema in a healthy woman is a normal and harmless physiological phenomenon that does not need full, serious treatment.

What does traditional medicine offer us?

You can place green or white kale leaves on swollen areas to draw out excess fluid and reduce discomfort (heaviness). You do not need to wash the leaves, you can cool them in the refrigerator (but not in the freezer), it will even be more pleasant for you. Wrap the chilled leaves around the swollen parts of your legs and feet, making a compress. Wait until they are damp and then repeat with fresh leaves. Repeat this several times until you feel more comfortable.

Herbal medicines are usually diuretics that remove fluid from the body. However, this method should not be overused, as it can overdo it and remove too much liquid. This can be dangerous. Therefore, we strongly recommend using herbal teas and tinctures only after consulting a doctor!

Here are some common recipes:

Myths about edema during pregnancy

Myth number 1. If you limit your intake of liquids and salty foods to a minimum, the swelling will quickly subside.

This is not true. We have already written that salty food can only serve as a provoking or additional factor in the appearance of edema. A lack of fluid in the body can lead to dehydration and health risks for the baby. Complete restriction in salt and water is dangerous, so listen to your needs and just don't overuse such foods.

Myth number 2. Diuretics will quickly remove swelling.

This myth can be dangerous, as the uncontrolled use of such drugs can lead to dehydration. Therefore, as we wrote above, do not overdo it with diuretic teas - this is, one might say, an extreme case. And often running to the toilet is a rather tedious task for women in the last months of pregnancy.

Myth number 3. With swelling of the legs, do not play sports.

In fact, any sports that you can do, strengthen the muscles of the body, maintain tone, so that it is easier for you to give birth. Here, as in other matters, one should not be too zealous. The following sports are recommended: cycling, swimming, gymnastics, yoga.

Myth number 4. Swelling on the legs is a sign of preeclampsia.

This is not so, edema itself does not indicate preeclampsia ("late toxicosis", preeclampsia - complications at the end of pregnancy). Only in combination with high blood pressure, impaired renal function, loss of consciousness, convulsions, edema can be a symptom of this disease. It seems that you and your doctor will not miss such signs and will take action in time.

Many women are interested in the question: "What to do with swelling of the legs during pregnancy?" and what measures need to be taken? The main thing is not to allow yourself to worry, because nervous disorders will not be beneficial, but will only aggravate the situation. Swelling of the legs during pregnancy, as well as other leg problems (varicose veins, spider veins, etc.) are faithful companions of expectant mothers throughout the nine months. If you are lucky enough to become pregnant, then be prepared for such temporary "inconvenience". According to statistics, only about 18% of all pregnant women in the world do not experience these symptoms.

External and internal signs

In modern medicine, leg edema is considered as an excessive accumulation of fluid in the cellular structure of soft tissues. In practice, this happens as follows: cells, blood vessels and the intercellular area are filled with a large volume of fluid, which eventually leads to swelling of the limbs (edema). In combination with varicose veins, this puts a fairly high load on the legs and the body as a whole, as a result of which a woman is more often susceptible to the so-called fatigue syndrome. In addition to external signs, especially during late pregnancy, other symptoms are also observed:

  • Unpleasant heaviness in the legs.
  • Severe pain.
  • Convulsive seizures.

Swelling of the legs during pregnancy develops against the background of natural processes in the body, but you need to visit a doctor.

The accumulation of fluid is often a sign of various kidney diseases and metabolic disorders, so it will not be superfluous to go through a couple of tests to confirm or deny suspicions about possible risks. It is important to find out what caused the swelling during pregnancy and eliminate this factor. Severe edema of the lower extremities, which does not belong to vascular or renal pathologies, most often develops in late pregnancy.

Both and one leg (right or left foot) can swell, and pregnant women often have slight or severe swelling of the arm and characteristic swelling in the face area. Severe swelling of the legs during pregnancy occurs against the background of hydrostatic effects on the walls of blood vessels. When the legs swell during pregnancy, what to do in this situation, only the doctor should say. Self-medication of leg edema during pregnancy, especially with strong diuretics, can lead to rather serious complications and even emergency hospitalization.

Swelling of the legs during pregnancy is a natural process, but it is worth consulting a doctor.

Influencing factors

If your legs swell during pregnancy, you should reconsider your lifestyle and diet. In the overwhelming majority of cases, this is a sign of a violation of the water-salt balance in the body. Usually a similar situation occurs in the first half of pregnancy. Whereas in the last trimester, the legs of a pregnant woman often swell for completely different reasons - an increase in the fetus leads to pressure of the uterus on the vessels and veins of the small pelvis, which provokes venous stagnation of blood and even attacks of varicose veins. Varicose veins of the legs are especially common at 38 weeks of gestation.

The main reason why legs swell during pregnancy are mainly internal processes in the body, however, this problem can be aggravated against the background of external factors. If a pregnant woman moves little and eats improperly (consumes a large amount of pickles, canned foods and smoked meats), then minor or severe edema on the legs may occur and varicose veins are often observed. In this case, swelling of the hands can also develop. Many women in a position have to deal with similar phenomena at 39 weeks of gestation.

Among the common reasons for the development of swelling of the legs or hands during pregnancy, the following risk factors are distinguished:

  • Changes in hormonal levels.
  • Diseases of the internal organs.
  • Exacerbation of toxicosis in pregnant women;
  • Reaction to some viruses;
  • Salty food abuse;
  • Wearing uncomfortable shoes;
  • Pathology of the osteoarticular system;
  • Lymph congestion in the lower extremities.

Swelling of the legs may appear due to the abuse of salty foods.

If the legs swell during pregnancy, sometimes this is due to certain problems in the work of the heart (you need to be wary of frequent shortness of breath), various disorders in the work of the kidneys and systemic pathologies of the venous system. It should be noted that varicose veins may not be the primary cause of edema, but the presence of this pathology significantly aggravates the situation. If the right leg swells severely, this may be the cause of the development of adrenal hyperfunction.

Variations of eliminating "blows"

To answer the question “Why do pregnant women have swollen legs?”, Just a few words are enough, since the reasons lie on the surface. But when it comes to effective treatment regimens, doctors' opinions differ. You can find a lot of useful information on the Internet about how to remove swelling of the legs in pregnant women. Some methods are really effective, others only relieve symptoms. There are both traditional (medical) and folk methods of treatment. Both options are good, but only a qualified doctor knows how to get rid of edema quickly and safely, because pregnancy is a rather difficult period for the body, so you need to take into account any "little things".

If the legs swell excessively in the early stages of pregnancy, this does not always indicate the development of pathological processes. To understand what exactly is causing the problem, it is necessary to undergo a series of tests as prescribed by the attending physician. When the left leg swells during pregnancy, there is no cause for serious concern. Sometimes it is enough to rest a little, exclude salty "goodies" from the diet and walk more often in the fresh air so that the leg becomes attractive again. If such "changes" in life have not brought the desired result, then it is necessary to urgently take radical measures. No self-medication, especially if you are 38 weeks pregnant. First of all, you must definitely seek advice from a phlebologist or make an appointment with a family doctor, who will send you to the right "address".

To find out the exact cause of leg edema, you need to undergo a series of tests prescribed by your doctor.

Health care

Pregnancy imposes some restrictions on the use of specific groups of drugs. Minor swelling of the legs must be removed using affordable, gentle methods. You can use a special ointment for edema and varicose veins based on natural ingredients:

  • Almond oil.
  • Horse chestnut extract.
  • Medicinal leech extract.
  • Hazel extract.

Cooling gel for edema based on menthol helps well. The choice of a specific remedy must be entrusted to the attending physician. It is important to remember that not every cream for leg edema is suitable for a pregnant woman - when choosing the most optimal treatment option, you need to take into account the individual characteristics of the body in order to prevent the development of allergic reactions.

It is also necessary to understand that anti-edema cream or gel alone will not help to cope with the problem. Modern medicine uses an integrated approach that demonstrates good results. If only the foot is severely swollen or the entire limb is completely swollen, and at the same time the skin on the leg turns red, this indicates vein thrombosis. It is necessary not only to relieve external symptoms, but also to fight the cause of the edema. In this case, a special drug therapy is indicated, aimed at improving blood circulation and preventing the development of varicose veins.

If the clinical picture includes different cardiac and renal risk factors, then the doctor should prescribe thiazide or loop diuretics. In some cases, when edema during pregnancy is especially pronounced, injections of diuretics are indicated. The duration of therapy directly depends on the state of the cardiovascular system. Potassium preparations are used as auxiliary agents. However, prescribing them to a pregnant woman in the presence of renal failure is not recommended. For varicose veins, apply:

  • Phlebotonics.
  • Blood thinners.
  • Ointments against varicose veins.

Taking some drugs for edema is contraindicated in pregnant women.

Medical elastic bandages or special jerseys - compression garments are often used to compress the ankle area.

Folk methods

You can also fight leg swelling at home, but it is more advisable to do this after prior consultation with your doctor. Traditional medicine knows well how to relieve leg swelling. To "draw out" excess liquid, apply slightly cooled fresh cabbage leaves to the place of edema. It is recommended to drink herbal teas, dried apricot decoctions or cranberry fruit drinks more often. However, they must be used extremely carefully with gestosis.

Massage of the feet and legs helps to relieve fatigue and swelling of the legs - it should be done from the bottom up, trying not to press excessively on the problem area. Doctors recommend diversifying drug therapy with special foot exercises and sea salt baths.

  1. Refusal of pickles and smoked meats. Be sure to exclude any form of salt from your diet. Sodium, which is a part of salt, as well as other food products (herring, sauerkraut, sausage, canned food) retains fluid in the body, which can cause edema.
  2. Follow your drinking regime. You need to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of liquid per day. It can be still water, soups, compotes and juicy fruits (if there is no allergy). Limiting fluid intake is not beneficial, since it worsens the condition of the venous walls, and also creates the prerequisites for the development of thrombosis and varicose veins.
  3. It is imperative to move more. It is advisable to allocate about 2-3 hours daily for walking. Being outdoors in combination with vigorous physical activity (dancing, yoga, aerobics and swimming in the pool) will help prevent many diseases, as well as help to increase the tone and strengthen the immune system.

Pregnancy should proceed in a calm atmosphere for the body, because the health of the unborn baby depends on it. In order to timely prevent various troubles, you need to learn to listen to what your body says. Swelling of the legs is not a sentence, and this ailment can be effectively dealt with. Health to you and your baby!

Almost every pregnant woman knows what edema is and how to deal with it. But not everyone thinks about the nature of this phenomenon. Meanwhile, the formation of edema can be both a completely harmless physiological process and a symptom of a serious pathology.

Why are edema dangerous during pregnancy?

In most cases, edema in pregnant women is physiological and does not harm either the expectant mother or her baby. To reduce them, it is enough to follow a simple diet and lie down at the end of the day, giving your legs an elevated position. More dangerous is the puffiness accompanying preeclampsia - late toxicosis. Here, the consequences of an inattentive attitude to one's health can be extremely serious:

  • preeclampsia. A serious complication, manifested by abdominal pain, fever, confused speech, blurred vision. Sometimes a woman behaves inappropriately, complains of poor health;
  • eclampsia. An even more formidable complication may be accompanied by convulsions, cardiac arrest. In extremely rare situations, death occurs. Only a doctor can explain how to relieve an acute condition or prevent it altogether.

In severe forms of preeclampsia, both mother and child suffer. Sometimes doctors decide to stimulate preterm labor.

Swelling can signal other illnesses as well.:

  • disturbances in the work of the heart. With such pathologies, edema is located in the lower part of the body. The woman's liver enlarges, palpitations, shortness of breath, blue lips appear. If you do not take into account the combination of symptoms, you can go to the hospital with serious heart problems;
  • impaired renal function. Swelling can be one of the signs of nephropathy, pyelonephritis, or glomerulonephritis. At the first stage, arms and legs appear, then swell. This condition is accompanied by the presence of protein in the urine and high blood pressure. The disease must be treated.

How to identify swelling during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the tissues of the female body intensively accumulate water, which is necessary for the normal development of the fetus and the stable course of important physiological processes. allows you to notice in time the period when there is too much liquid.

The process of edema formation occurs gradually. Regardless of the reason, doctors define 4 stages in it:

  1. 1. There are slight swelling of the feet and legs. Elastic bands of socks leave a deep, long-lasting mark on the lower leg.
  2. 2. Swelling of the feet begins, swelling of the abdomen in the lower part of it, swelling of the labia, swelling of the fingers, swelling of the hands. Expectant mother begins to press the usual shoes. The ankle becomes noticeably wider and the foot unusually thick. When pressing on the upper part of the foot or lower leg, a fossa is formed, which is not immediately smoothed out. The rings became difficult to remove or put on your fingers.
  3. 3. There is a visible swelling of the face, swelling of the nose, hands.
  4. 4. Dropsy of pregnant women develops - generalized edema.

Edema can be hidden, when it is impossible to recognize them visually. In this case, the following methods are used for diagnosis:

  • 1. McClure-Aldrich test. The procedure is performed by a nurse. A small amount of saline is injected subcutaneously into a pregnant woman and the time is noted until it is completely absorbed. If the drug remains in place after 35 minutes, then there is too much water in the body;
  • 2. regular weighing. Weight gain should not exceed 400 grams per week. If the mass increases faster, and this is combined with high blood pressure and poor urine tests, the woman may have hidden edema;
  • 3. study of diuresis. The woman is asked to measure the amount of liquids she drinks, including soups, and the amount of urine excreted throughout the day. Normally, the volume ratio is approximately 4: 3.

Both external and internal edema should not be ignored, especially in early pregnancy. A doctor's consultation is required.

Treatment of edema in pregnant women

Identifying the cause and treating edema during pregnancy is a doctor's business. Most of our and foreign experts believe that a slight physiological edema of the legs and feet does not need special treatment. It is enough to follow a certain diet and rest, keeping your legs in an elevated state. But some gynecologists believe that even the initial manifestations cannot be ignored. A pregnant woman should listen to the doctor who is being observed.

  1. 1. Wearing compression hosiery. This is especially important if the woman has blood vessel problems. Special stockings or tights can help relieve pressure and help. The doctor will also tell you which gel or ointment can be used to eliminate varicose veins.
  2. 2. Taking vitamins of group B (Magne B6), E, ​​lipoic acid. The medicine will strengthen the walls of blood vessels and will not allow water to penetrate from the blood into the surrounding tissues.
  3. 3. Medicines Kanefron, Cyston, Phytolysin. The tablets improve kidney function, have a weak diuretic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect. Drugs can be prescribed in the form of a dropper, but always the prescription is made only by a doctor. You cannot take medications on your own, as there is a risk of negatively affecting the development of the child.
  4. 4. Antispasmodics: no-spa, aminophylline intramuscularly or in tablets.
  5. 5. Essentiale or Riboxin, previously diluted with the patient's blood, is administered intravenously to stimulate myocardial metabolism. For the same purpose, folic acid is prescribed.
  6. 6. Drugs that increase the production of atrial hormone: methionine, potassium orotate, nicotinic acid.
  7. 7. Diuretics for a short time with severe edema in a hospital setting: hypothiazide, furosemide with the simultaneous administration of potassium preparations.

When a situation requires medical intervention, it is not enough to know how to treat and how to relieve swelling during pregnancy. It is important to additionally select medications that improve blood flow in the placenta in order to prevent fetal hypoxia. What means and in what dosages it is necessary to take the doctor decides on the results of the examination of the pregnant patient.

Diet for edema during pregnancy

When asked what to do if swelling appears, the doctor will definitely say: follow a diet. The diet should be balanced so that salt intake is reduced. This substance contributes to the retention of water in the tissues, therefore, it should be excluded if possible. Drinking is limited to 1000 ml per day for the entire treatment period. Here are some more guidelines:

  1. 1. Eliminate sugary and carbonated drinks that increase thirst. In hot weather, it is better to drink plain water in small sips or take a shower. Although, today many experts say that it is impossible to limit oneself in drinking and call the figure of the consumed liquid about 1.5-2 liters per day, excluding soups.
  2. 2. Eliminate smoked and fried foods, try not to use spices in cooking. It is better to steam the food.
  3. 3. Be sure to eat protein-rich foods every day: fish, cottage cheese, meat.
  4. 4. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that the woman used to eat before pregnancy. It is better to refuse exotic fruits and berries. It is not known how the body will react to new foods while in this state.
  5. 5. Eat celery, parsley, watercress, apples. In small amounts, they have a diuretic effect.


It is worth asking your doctor for help in drawing up a diet. Such a lightweight diet will benefit both mom and baby.

Folk remedies for edema during pregnancy

There are many popular recipes, but none of them can be called universal. For one woman, the herb helps to get rid of edema, while for another it even worsens the condition. Each pregnancy proceeds in a different way, so it is better to coordinate the selected recipe with a specialist.

You can reduce swelling outside the hospital in the following ways:

  1. 1. Take daily walks or do gymnastics if the woman spends most of the day sitting.
  2. 2. Brew herbal teas. Rosehip, dill, lingonberry leaf are used as tea leaves. They have a weak diuretic effect. The same effect is given by fruit drink from cranberries, dried apricots, lingonberries, viburnum.
  3. 3. Drink birch sap three times a day for a tablespoon.
  4. 4. Brew dried apple peels and drink as tea throughout the day.
  5. 5. Make foot baths with sea salt.
  6. 6. Take an infusion of a bear's ear (bearberry).
  7. 7. Use renal tea, which is sold in pharmacies, instead of regular tea.


In the case of severe pathologies of the heart or kidneys, a pregnant woman may experience a sharp deterioration. In order not to put it at risk, each action must be coordinated with the attending physician.

Prevention of edema during pregnancy

Swelling is also an aesthetic problem, numerous photos of swollen ankles confirm this. In order to prevent such a condition or reduce the risk of its occurrence, it is necessary to take preventive measures:

  1. 1. Follow a diet so as not to gain weight too quickly.
  2. 2. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid a day to stimulate kidney function.
  3. 3. Rest with your legs upside down. Keep your ankles above your hips.
  4. 4. Avoid prolonged sitting or standing during the day.
  5. 5. Give up high heels. You will have to temporarily sacrifice your favorite shoes for the sake of health.

Following these simple recommendations will help a woman to endure pregnancy without the formation of severe edema. If, despite all the measures taken, the liquid still accumulates in excess, you need to inform your gynecologist about this.

By the morning, as a rule, they pass and if this problem is regulated by diet, then there is no particular reason for excitement. But these symptoms are the beginning of very serious complications. If they are associated with varicose veins, renal and heart failure, preeclampsia. If you have these diseases, then even before the onset of pregnancy, you need to consult a doctor, since pregnancy can complicate the disease.

Causes of occurrence

Puffiness is the concentration of excess fluid in the tissues or the restructuring of the whole body to retain fluid. Separate edema is caused by inflammation, bites, trauma. General edema changes the state of the entire body.

First of all, the face and legs swell, later the stomach and arms are sometimes added... Most women are familiar with edema and consider it normal during pregnancy. Then why are doctors so attentive to edema? Prescribe diets, monitor analyzes.

Why are they so dangerous? It depends on the reasons for the appearance of edema.

  • normal swelling (changes in the body of a pregnant woman cause an additional need for water)
  • varicose veins (changes in the uterus disrupt normal blood flow in the extremities, which leads to the formation of nodes, edema, pain in the legs)
  • renal failure (causes swelling in any trimester, the load on the kidneys increases and they do not always withstand it)
  • gestosis (late toxicosis, diagnosed by a combination of three signs: edema, high blood pressure and protein in the urine)

How do you know if you have edema? Symptoms, signs of edema

Explicit edema

Swelling on the face
Manifestation of edema: the face is rounded, the eyelids swell, the nose swells. Loose fiber, like a sponge, retains fluid.

Hormonal changes also cause a runny nose. The nasal mucosa swells, breathing becomes difficult. Rhinitis manifests itself at the same time of day and at a separate stage of pregnancy, but it can accompany the entire period. With the termination of pregnancy, he disappears without a trace. Its danger is that a child with breathing problems may experience a lack of oxygen.

Swelling of the nose can be a symptom of allergies, analyze all possible sources: houseplants, detergents, pets

Swelling of the hands
Hands suffer from this ailment much more often. Tingling, burning, numbness occurs in the limbs. The most famous symptom is the ring: if before it was free, now it is difficult to remove.

Women who work a lot on the computer, do handicrafts, sculpting - any monotonous repetitive work are prone to such edema. Do gymnastics for the arms, periodic rest will not hurt. If these symptoms are combined with swelling in other parts of the body, you need medical advice.

Swelling of the feet
Swelling of the feet is most common due to the force of gravity. The legs are noticeably enlarged, on the ankle there is a trace of socks, it is impossible to wear the old shoes. As a rule, such edema appears in the third trimester.

If by the morning such swelling does not go away, and other parts of the body swell with the legs, then it is necessary to be examined, perhaps this is a manifestation of late toxicosis - a dangerous phenomenon for the mother and child.

How to identify obvious edema?
If you press on the part of the lower leg where there are no muscles, then a dent will remain on the skin, which will not disappear after 10 seconds. If the swelling has spread throughout the body, the dent will remain on the sacrum. There is a rubber band mark on the ankle, the shoes are small.
Swelling of the hands: the ring, which was free before pregnancy, now does not rotate, you can also try the first method on your hands.

Hidden edema

Such edema may be evidenced by an abnormal increase in body weight (more than 300 g per week), provided that for all 9 months the pregnant woman should gain no more than 12 kg, the rest is always superfluous. The doctor may prescribe monitoring of the fluid and urine excreted.

If the difference is more than ¼ plus weight gain, a McClure-Aldrich test is prescribed to check for tissue pastiness. Sodium chloride is injected under the skin. A blister forms at the injection site, which usually lasts for an hour. With hidden edema, the blister does not appear at all or will disappear earlier.

Why is edema dangerous (and is it dangerous?) During pregnancy?

If you have physiological edema, which can be eliminated by restoring a normal regimen and diet, then prevention can be dispensed with. If you wake up swollen in the morning, and swelling all over your body, you need to urgently visit the antenatal clinic.

Edema is dangerous not only for physical and aesthetic discomfort. Often these are symptoms of serious illnesses. In any case, only after the examination, the doctor will make a final conclusion: do you have "normal" edema?

A quick weight gain of more than 20 kg (300g per week) will also be a serious reason, so you need to constantly monitor your weight. Even with normal health, ignoring the puffiness threatens to disrupt communication in the "mother-placenta-fetus" system with possible fetal hypoxia and the threat of pregnancy.

Treatment and prevention

First you need to identify the true cause of the swelling. Sometimes it is enough to reduce salt intake, reduce physical activity, limit exposure to the sun, and ensure normal rest.

First trimester

If edema is detected, tests are checked every week, blood pressure is measured. This will help the doctor track the development of nephropathy. Treatment depends on the stage of pregnancy, the location of the edema. At the first stage, outpatient treatment can be dispensed with, in the future - only hospitalization.

With a severe stage of pregnancy and the development of nephropathy, fetal hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) may occur, and this cannot be done without serious treatment. The doctor prescribes medications to improve blood flow, metabolism, lower blood pressure, herbal diuretics.

If the edema is not physiological, then at the beginning of pregnancy they are clearly associated with disturbances in the work of the heart or kidneys. Cardiac edema manifests itself if a woman has heart problems and they are localized exclusively in the lower body - legs, lower back. Shortness of breath, tachycardia appears, the liver is enlarged, lips may turn blue.

Unlike cardiac edema, renal edema can be everywhere.: starts with the face ("panda effect"), later on to the arms and legs. The reason is aggravated kidney disease. The sooner you seek help, the happier your childbirth will be.

Second and third trimesters

Often, late edema is a bright symptom of gestosis (late toxicosis). The less attention is paid to such swelling, the more problems you and your child will have. You see only the external manifestations of the problem, without thinking about what is inside.

With gestosis, all tissues swell, including the placenta, uterus, liver and brain of a woman. This is a direct threat to bearing the fetus.

For treatment, magnesium, vitamin E, lipoic acid are usually prescribed... It improves blood circulation, as well as the functioning of the kidneys and heart. Diuretics are rarely used (due to the toxic effect on the fetus). In any case, such treatment can only be entrusted to a specialist, taking into account both the potential risk and benefits.

One and a half liters of water (with lemon) excluding other liquid- the norm for the expectant mother. Drink water often: 8 glasses daily contribute to the elimination of sodium and other toxins, poisons, toxins that affect puffiness. harmful, you can, berry juice.

The main treatment is a balanced diet- up to 3500 kcal per day (120g of proteins, 350g of carbohydrates and 80g of fat). You can take prenatal vitamins.

Eat less salty foods, spices, carbonated drinks and foods containing sodium, avoid heavy gastronomic delicacies. Do not sit for a long time in one position, raise your legs while sleeping, do not neglect walking. Facilitates kidney function for 5-10 minutes.

If you spend the day on your feet, take a break, wear comfortable shoes, give up tight pantyhose - allow blood to circulate freely.

Requires 10 hours sleep, daytime rest, limit emotional overload. Food should be protein with a minimum of fats and carbohydrates. Increases the tone of capillaries, thereby complicating the disease, spicy spicy food.

Practice fasting days once a week., using only one product during the day (for 5-6 doses). Apple day(1.5 kg of apples), curd(800 g of cottage cheese and 500 ml of water), kefir(1.5 liters of kefir). Watermelon is also suitable during the fasting days, as it has an excellent diuretic effect.

Exercise is especially important for edema... Walking, running, swimming, will be useful. Be sure to discuss your choice with your doctor.

In folk medicine, there are many means of combating edema.

Lingonberry berries and flowers, hawthorn, bear ears, bearberry leaf, horsetail, cherry stalks are excellent diuretics. The norm is a glass of broth per day for a month. You can try dried apricot infusion: steam it overnight, eat everything in the morning before breakfast.

Cool foot baths help relieve swelling: the water should be comfortable (don't catch a cold!). Hold your legs for 15 minutes, rest on your left side, lifting your legs. It is good to do a foot massage.

Do not get carried away with diuretic pills, and you need to be careful with herbal medicine, a doctor's consultation will not hurt

Instead of a conclusion

There are four degrees of the disease:
1. Dropsy of pregnant women- edema, weight gain, weakness, fatigue.

2. Nephropathy of pregnancy- protein in the urine is also added, the pressure rises, if all three signs are present at the same time - a threat to pregnancy.

3. Preeclampsia- changes in the brain and fundus are added to nephropathy.

4. Eclampsia- seizures begin - an extremely dangerous condition for the mother and child.

Pregnancy is a crucial period in a woman's life. While the child grows and develops, his life and health are completely in your hands. Observe the correct diet and rest, attend antenatal clinics on time and motherhood will only delight you.