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The pregnant woman's legs were very swollen. What is dangerous and whether edema threatens everyone during the gestation period. Legs swell during pregnancy - what is the danger

Maria Sokolova


Reading time: 9 minutes

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About 80% of all expectant mothers suffer from swelling of the legs while carrying their babies. For most of them, puffiness is a variant of the norm, but for some mothers, swelling is a signal for urgent medical attention.

Understanding!

Causes of swelling during pregnancy - why can pregnant women have swollen legs in the early or late stages?

Edema is considered to be excess fluid in the space between tissues in a specific part of the body.

Given that the amount of fluid circulating in the body during pregnancy increases many times over, swelling is a natural phenomenon. Moreover, the change in water-salt metabolism during pregnancy does not contribute to the rapid removal of fluid (this is due to an increase in the concentration of progesterone), and then the uterus compresses the organs and interferes with normal blood circulation.

As a rule, puffiness becomes noticeable and noticeable from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, but it can also become an earlier “surprise” - for example, during multiple pregnancy or.

Video: Edema during pregnancy

Among the causes of puffiness that require special attention are:

  1. The development of gestosis. In addition to swelling of the legs, with gestosis, arterial hypertension is observed and protein is found in the urine. Violation of water-salt metabolism and increased vascular permeability leads to the penetration of fluid into the intercellular space, and its accumulation in the placental tissues can cause oxygen starvation of the fetus. Without medical care, with severe preeclampsia, you can lose both mother and baby.
  2. development of heart failure. During pregnancy, the course of any "heart" disease worsens, and the risk of heart failure increases exponentially. Puffiness becomes one of the signs of right ventricular heart failure. If this disease is suspected, it is necessary to do an ultrasound of the heart and promptly adjust the treatment.
  3. Kidney diseases. Often, swelling of the legs is observed in diseases with nephrotic syndrome. A key symptom in kidney disease, in addition to swelling of the legs, is morning swelling of the face and eyelids. Naturally, it is categorically impossible to ignore these signs.

How to recognize a pregnant woman if there are edema - signs and symptoms of edema

With severe puffiness, a woman has no doubts about the presence of edema - they are visible to the naked eye and cause a lot of problems.

But what to do with hidden edema?

You can determine the presence of puffiness by the following signs:

  • It is almost impossible to put on your favorite shoes in the evening. Difficulties arise with the removal of the wedding ring.
  • Another sign is a strong trace from the gum of socks after wearing them. and an increase in ankle circumference of 1 cm per week - and more.
  • if it is too fast (more than 300-400 g / week) or uneven, it will also be evidence of internal edema.
  • diuresis measurement. Normally, ¾ of all the liquid drunk per day should be excreted in the urine. The concept of "liquid" includes soups, and apples (1 fruit is considered as 50 g of liquid), and water, and coffee, and so on. The study involves calculating the difference / balance between drunk and allocated. drinking diary you need to conduct during the day, and all urine is collected in a single container to determine its volume by the end of the day. Further, the resulting amount of liquid that the mother drank during the day is multiplied by 0.75 and the result is compared with the volume of urine per day. A strong difference in the results is a reason for examination.
  • Press your finger on the skin . If there is no trace of pressing after pressing, there is no edema. If there is a depression that takes too long to level out, and the skin at the site of pressure remains pale, there is swelling.

Video: Swelling of the legs in pregnant women


In what cases with edema during pregnancy is it necessary to urgently consult a doctor?

Urgently consult a doctor for swelling in the following cases:

  1. Too fast weight gain.
  2. Strong manifestation of puffiness in the morning. Especially in the area of ​​the face.
  3. The appearance of such signs as a burning sensation, tingling or even numbness in the limbs, difficulty in bending the fingers and discomfort in the feet when walking.
  4. The appearance of shortness of breath and palpitations, hypertension.
  5. Nausea, headache, increased pressure over 140/90, as well as or confusion (these are concomitant signs of preeclampsia).
  6. Enlargement of the liver with aching pain and heaviness in the right hypochondrium, belching and bitterness in the mouth, soreness of the liver when probing, shortness of breath even with light exertion and weakness, the appearance of a dry cough at night - sometimes even with streaks of red sputum. All these are signs that accompany swelling of the legs with heart failure.

After studying the history, the specialist prescribes appropriate tests and studies, including ultrasound of the heart and kidneys, urinalysis according to Nechiporenko and detailed blood tests, and so on.

Treatment is prescribed according to the detected disease.

Important:

Even if your health remains quite satisfactory, swelling is a reason to see a doctor!

In 90% of all cases of puffiness, there is a deterioration in the condition, which over time can turn into preeclampsia. This is determined by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Therefore, it is important to foresee all possible scenarios in a timely manner - and take action.

Video: Swelling of the legs during pregnancy. Prevention of leg edema


What to do with edema in a pregnant woman not caused by diseases - get rid of edema during pregnancy

If, according to studies, analyzes and the doctor’s verdict, puffiness has exclusively physiological causes, and experts have not found anything wrong with it, then you can get rid of edema (or at least reduce their intensity) in the following ways:

  • Eliminate salt from the diet! The more sodium in the food, the more water is retained in the tissues. Can't salt your food completely? Of course, fresh food will not fit into your mouth. Therefore, at least reduce the amount of salt per day and give up the most salty foods - herring, cabbage, sausages, and so on. Canned food, snacks and chips are out of the question.
  • Get used to a healthy diet, save your blood vessels from the load . We refuse frying in favor of steamed and boiled food; refuses harmfulness in the diet, we regularly eat vegetables with fruits and cereals, we do not abuse coffee and even green tea, in which, note, there is even more caffeine than in classic black tea. Drink water, juices, mineral water, compotes.
  • Don't take diuretics . Even homeopathic remedies can seriously harm mom and baby. Therefore, recipes from the category “take lingonberries, bearberries and parsley ...” discuss first with your gynecologist. And do not forget that along with the liquid, you will also lose the potassium you need.
  • We rest more often! About 40% of all expectant mothers with edema suffer from them due to varicose veins. The disease is harmless, at first glance, but requires attention. Use a small footstool to relieve fatigue. Buy an ottoman to put your swollen legs on during moments of rest. In the “lying” position, place a roller or pillow under your feet so that your legs are raised to a height of up to 30 cm. Use creams for varicose veins as recommended by your doctor.
  • Lie on your left side most of the time. In this position, the load on the kidneys will be less, their work will be better, and the “run” of urine through the excretory system will be faster.
  • Walk 40-180 minutes a day. Activity reduces the risk of developing physiological edema by half. Do not forget about water aerobics and yoga, swimming and gymnastics for expectant mothers.
  • Decided to work until the birth? Commendable! But every hour - obligatory pauses with gymnastics for the body and legs. Remember that sitting cross-legged is absolutely impossible!
  • We buy compression stockings with pantyhose and a bandage , which will unload the back and reduce the load on the lower limbs. Important: the bandage should support, and not squeeze in any way, and the phlebologist will indicate the degree of compression of the stockings / tights. And pay attention to the special underwear for pregnant women, which protects the vessels from fluid stagnation. And remember that the expectant mother should wear underwear, tights and a bandage lying down in order to properly distribute the load.

But why do the legs still swell? The colossal restructuring of the body during this period does not always go according to the ideal scenario - this is true. How exactly the swelling of the legs fit into the ongoing changes, and whether it is worth worrying about their occurrence, depends on many reasons.

Swelling of the legs during pregnancy - causes and treatment

Many doctors attribute the appearance of edema to the intensive production of progesterone, a pregnancy hormone that affects the elasticity of blood vessels. This is especially noticeable in the third trimester. In the same period, pregnant women have a decrease in the level of albumin (a protein responsible for the level of pressure in the blood plasma), which may be the cause of edema.

The accumulation of sodium in the body is also called one of the causes of edema, as it has the ability to retain water in the tissues.

There is another popular explanation for the occurrence of swelling of the legs in pregnant women. Due to the fact that the uterus is constantly increasing in size, it puts pressure on the veins located in the pelvic area. This impedes the circulation of blood and lymph, which provokes the formation of edema in the lower extremities.

Sometimes the expectant mother herself can become the culprit of the occurrence of edema. Taste sensations during this period change, and often pregnant women want salty or spicy. Indulging their whims, many break the diet by eating too much salt. Whereas its use during this period should be tried to limit.

The unenviable position of those who are forced to spend their working day on their feet. In this case, swelling is inevitable, since the load on the body does not even double, but increases many times over. If it is not possible to periodically sit down and let your legs rest, you should at least shift from foot to foot, make rotational movements with your feet, shake them to stimulate blood circulation.

If edema is associated with painful sensations, and when pressed for a long time, a trace remains - a hole, then the observing obstetrician-gynecologist should seriously think about solving the problem.

The exacerbation of varicose veins or its inception is all very unpleasant and requires the intervention of a phlebologist in the process. He will select a treatment option and recommend the necessary compression stockings - tights, stockings, stockings with the desired compression class. This is very important, because excessive pressure of therapeutic knitwear can only harm, not help, and insufficient pressure can turn out to be useless.

When swelling of the legs is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure in a pregnant woman, this is already a serious cause for alarm. And the gynecologist who suspected preeclampsia and took all preventive measures would be right.

About how much fluid to drink during pregnancy, medical experts argue to this day. Some believe that especially in the third trimester, you need to limit the total volume of fluids consumed to 750 milliliters. Others feel that this is not enough.

It is important what exactly to drink during this crucial period of life:

  • Tea and coffee should be limited.
  • Carbonated drinks should be avoided.
  • Useful dairy products, cocoa, yogurt, compotes of dried apricots or apples.

It is advisable to divide the day of a pregnant woman into two equal halves. One should be devoted to wakefulness, and the other to rest and sleep. It is very good if you manage to lie down for an hour and a half and in the daytime. It is recommended to lift the legs during rest in order to avoid the occurrence of edema. All kinds of pillows and rollers are perfect for this purpose.

Walking in nature, clean air - will benefit both the expectant mother and the baby. At least an hour a day must be devoted to hiking.

A hot foot bath can be a useful gift for a pregnant woman. Water massage perfectly relieves fatigue, relaxes. It's a good idea to simply soak your feet in warm water with a few drops of rosemary, chamomile, or cypress oil.

Will benefit and manual massage - from the feet to the knees. You can do the massage yourself, using a hard terry towel. It is important not to forget that massage movements must be directed from the bottom up - along the lymph flow, this will help to disperse the swelling. Foot cream with horse chestnut or hazel will also help relieve swelling and overcome tired leg syndrome.

It is very convenient to massage the feet with prickly massage balls, especially from the su-jok set. Sitting in a chair, working at a computer, while rolling the ball with your feet, you can achieve a double effect: reduce leg swelling and stimulate the internal organs.

Herbs during pregnancy should be handled very carefully, but after consulting with a medical specialist, it is quite possible to choose a suitable herbal collection with a diuretic effect. Do not forget about vitamins that strengthen the walls of blood vessels (P, E, C) and improve blood circulation.

An infusion of dried apricots has a slight diuretic effect (it is poured with boiling water for several hours, drunk a few minutes before meals). Dried apricots are rich in potassium, an important element for water-salt metabolism in the body.

The following recipes, which are not contraindicated for pregnant women, have shown themselves well in the fight against edema:

  • 2 tablespoons of flax seeds are poured with a liter of boiling water and infused in a thermos. The infusion is drunk in small doses throughout the day.
  • Cut 2 onions in the evening into rings and sprinkle with sugar. Squeeze the juice in the morning and drink 30 minutes before meals.

Dandelion root tea is effective, but it is contraindicated in cholecystitis.

Gorgeous in its simplicity and effectiveness, the treatment of edema of the legs with cabbage leaves. Dark greens are especially good for this purpose. Leaves need to wrap the legs, fix them for a while until they become wet, then remove. Cabbage draws excess fluid from the tissues and relieves the feeling of heaviness in the legs.

Food can also serve as a medicine and rid the body of edema. Pumpkin and watermelon, strawberries and currants, parsley and asparagus will perfectly cope with the role of "green" healers.

Important! Always remember that pregnancy is a very responsible stage of life, absolutely not suitable for experimentation and unjustified risks. Before you start using any remedy, be sure to consult a specialist.

About 80 percent of pregnant women experience edema sooner or later. Why does this happen, how to minimize the risk of edema, and is it worth panicking if they do occur?

Edema is an excessive accumulation of fluid in body tissues. They can be explicit and internal (hidden), have a physiological or pathological nature.

Causes of edema in pregnant women

  • Pregnancy. Changes in hormonal levels and a growing uterus are factors contributing to the appearance of edema. With multiple pregnancies, the risk of having edema increases significantly.
  • Emerging or aggravated health problems.
  • Bad habits.
  • Overweight.
  • Wrong nutrition.
  • Prolonged standing or sitting position.
  • Age 35 and over.

Edema during pregnancy, stages

  1. At the first stage, the legs swell during pregnancy: shins, feet.
  2. At the second stage, swelling of the hips and abdomen joins the above.
  3. In the third stage, swelling extends to the hands, wrists. The face becomes puffy.
  4. The fourth stage is general edema.

The nature of the occurrence of edema during pregnancy

The physiological nature of edema

Man is 80 percent water. During pregnancy, a woman normally gains 10-12 kg, half of which is water. In the tissues and blood of the expectant mother, the content of sodium, which retains fluid, increases. With the growth of the fetus, the pressure of the uterus on the small vena cava and ureters increases, which contributes to the deterioration of fluid discharge. Therefore, swelling during pregnancy in the later stages is such a common occurrence.

Slight swelling of the legs, feet, which manifests itself closer to the second half of the day and passes after a night's sleep, is not a reason for panic. Toward the end of pregnancy, women may swell the labia. This is also a variant of the norm.

Physiological edema also includes swelling of the tissues of the nose, followed by difficulty in breathing.

Pathological nature of edema

  • Renal edema during pregnancy

The kidneys of pregnant women have a colossal burden. Renal edema may develop due to the onset or exacerbation of kidney disease during pregnancy. Such edema is localized, mainly on the face: it becomes puffy, the eyelids swell. The wrists and hands may also swell.
A protein that appears in the urine of a pregnant woman also indicates a violation of the kidneys.

  • Heart edema during pregnancy

In a pregnant woman, the volume of blood increases by 40-50 percent. Consequently, the load on the "pump" that makes it circulate - the heart - increases significantly.
Cardiac edema is characterized by a downward trend. If a woman is in a standing position, then her legs will swell during pregnancy. In the supine position, swelling will be prone to the stomach or back.
With edema of this kind, shortness of breath, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, persistent palpitations are also observed.

  • Internal swelling during pregnancy

Internal edema is not visible to the naked eye, but is a danger to the development of the baby. The fact is that with a latent form of edema, the uterus, placenta and abdominal wall most often swell. Edematous placenta can compress the vessels of the umbilical cord, which will lead to placental insufficiency.

  • Puffiness as a manifestation of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy, which is the main cause of maternal mortality and increases the risk of fetal / child death in the first week after birth by 5-7 times.
Severe swelling during pregnancy, both external and internal, along with proteinuria and high blood pressure, are classic symptoms of late toxicosis.

Edema during pregnancy, diagnosis

Daily diuresis

When carrying out diuresis, the volume of absorbed, taking into account liquid dishes and fruits, and the volume of excreted liquids, minus the first morning urine, which refers to the previous day, are calculated. About 75 percent of the absorbed fluid must be excreted from the body with urine. A significantly lower rate indicates that the fluid has been retained in the tissues.
For greater information content, it is recommended to conduct a study 3 days in a row.

McClure-Aldrich test

In everyday life it is called a blister test. For the study, a woman is injected intradermally into the inner side of the forearm with 0.2 ml of a sterile solution of sodium chloride at a concentration of 0.8%. As a result, a tubercle forms on the skin, the texture resembling a lemon peel. Normally, this tubercle resolves in an hour. With latent edema, the resorption time decreases in direct proportion to the degree of edema.

The test is carried out on an empty stomach, the patient should be in a sitting or lying position.
Currently, blister testing is rarely performed due to the duration of the study.

Examination of limbs

  • The swelling may cause numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes.
  • With swelling, the circumference of the ankle increases by a centimeter or more.
  • When pressing on the swollen limb, the resulting “dent” does not immediately straighten out.
  • Swollen feet give out deep rubber marks after wearing socks or golf.
  • Swollen hands are indicated by difficulty putting on or taking off rings. Women who have swollen fingers during pregnancy are not recommended to wear rings.

Tracking weight gain

According to WHO standards, weekly weight gain in the second half of pregnancy for women with a normal body mass index should be about 230 grams. Sudden changes in body weight or a set of more than 350 grams may indicate the presence of edema.

Physiological swelling during pregnancy prevention and treatment

Physiological edema does not require medical treatment. In order to minimize the risk of such edema, it is enough to follow simple recommendations.

healthy eating

  • Nutrition plays a very important role in the fight against edema. During pregnancy, it is necessary to exclude all kinds of pickles, smoked meats, spicy foods, carbonated drinks and limit the use of sweets.
  • The volume of liquid, contrary to popular belief, should not be greatly reduced. For the normal functioning of the body of a pregnant woman, you need to consume about one and a half liters of fluid per day, taking into account first courses and watery fruits. A strong reduction in the volume of fluid entering inside can have the exact opposite effect - the body will begin to “store” water, and swelling will only increase. For the same reason, salt should not be completely excluded from the diet.
  • It is useful to arrange unloading vegetable and milk days.

Mobile lifestyle, gymnastics

The only reason why you should exclude physical activity during pregnancy is the threat of interruption. In other cases, light physical activity will only benefit.

  • To prevent or combat edema, special fitness or water aerobics for expectant mothers, swimming, and not too long walks are well suited. Even a banal daily exercise will bear fruit.
  • Pregnant women who have a sedentary, sedentary job are advised, as far as possible, to raise and place their legs on a chair during the working day for a better outflow of fluid.
  • Due to the repeated repetition of the same actions, hands swell during pregnancy. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the time spent at the computer, modeling, knitting, etc. Or, in extreme cases, do not forget to take breaks and do hand exercises.
  • A popular exercise to combat edema, in which a woman lies on the floor and, raising her legs high, rests them against the wall. In the second half of pregnancy, it must be modernized by placing a solid roller under the woman's buttocks. Otherwise, due to the pressure of the grown uterus on the small vena cava, the outflow of venous blood will be difficult.
  • To prevent or combat swelling and relieve the back, you can do the exercise "cat".

  • Not bad reduces the load on the kidneys and a static stay in the knee-elbow position. To achieve a tangible effect, you need to perform several approaches every day for 10-15 minutes.
  • Resting during long periods of pregnancy is most useful on the left side.

Wearing a bandage, compression stockings

  • A properly selected bandage supports the growing pregnant belly in the correct position, which reduces the risk of edema.
  • Wearing compression stockings, stockings or tights will be useful if you are prone to varicose veins, which are often accompanied by swelling. A phlebologist will help determine the required degree of compression.
  • The bandage and compression underwear should be put on correctly in the prone position.

Proper footwear

The risk of swelling is greater when wearing inappropriate shoes. Correct footwear: in size, has a stable heel with a height of 3 to 5 centimeters, stable. There are no tight straps on the leg.

Getting rid of bad habits

Bad habits during pregnancy can not only harm the health of the baby, but also provoke the appearance of edema.
Nicotine harms all organs and systems of the human body. The closest relationship between smoking and varicose veins, which, in turn, contributes to the development of swelling.

One of the causes of edema, oddly enough, is dehydration. The latter is a frequent companion of alcohol abuse.

Body care

  • In the care of swollen or suffering from varicose legs, it will not be superfluous to use specialized cosmetics.
  • Swelling of the legs during pregnancy is well relieved by foot baths with sea salt. To conduct them, so much salt water is poured into the container, with a temperature not higher than 37-38 degrees, as needed to completely immerse the swollen area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe legs. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. With skin diseases or diabetes, salt baths are prohibited.

  • Swelling of the legs during pregnancy, what to do? Massage! This is a pleasant and effective way to improve blood circulation. It is necessary to massage the legs in the direction from the feet to the hips. For the procedure, you can use both special massagers, a washcloth, or just hands.

Pathological edema during pregnancy, what to do

Do not panic and get a medical examination. Based on the results of the tests, the doctor will determine the need and tactics of drug treatment of edema.

Medical treatment of edema

The attitude towards puffiness among doctors in the CIS countries differs from the point of view adopted in Europe and America. Foreign doctors prefer to observe, intervening only in situations that really threaten the health of a woman and her unborn child. Domestic doctors often prefer to play it safe and, depending on the results of the examination, prescribe diuretics, vasoconstrictors, antispasmodics and sedatives.

  • To normalize the work of the kidneys, complex herbal remedies are usually prescribed, such as Canephron or Cyston in tablet form, Fitolizin paste. They should be used with caution: the annotations contain rather long lists of side effects. But these drugs relieve renal edema during pregnancy well, reviews of future and successful mothers confirm this.

  • To strengthen blood vessels, doctors prescribe magnesium preparations, vitamin E, lipoic acid, and against vasospasm - No-Shpu.
  • Treatment of edema with preeclampsia is carried out in a hospital. The standard measure is a drop of magnesia, which relieves swelling, normalizes blood pressure, relaxes blood vessels and muscle muscles. Improve blood microcirculation with droppers of drugs based on pentoxifylline.
    It is strictly forbidden to use diuretics if gestosis is suspected!
  • Swelling of the nose during pregnancy cannot be treated with the usual vasoconstrictor drops and sprays. But it is also impossible to remain inactive: due to the deterioration of nasal breathing, the fetus may receive less oxygen. Doctors recommend dealing with the “runny nose of pregnant women” by washing the nasal cavity with saline or a solution of sea salt.

How to get rid of edema during pregnancy, folk remedies

Traditional medicine is replete with remedies against edema. But you can use them only as directed by a doctor, and even then not all. The fact is that some components of popular kidney fees can cause uterine tone and even provoke an abortion.

  • Of the safest folk remedies, a decoction of lingonberry leaf can be distinguished, which has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunostimulating, choleretic, astringent and mild diuretic effects.


Conclusion

Most swelling in pregnant women is harmless and does not require treatment. But, at times, puffiness can signal the development or exacerbation of diseases and conditions dangerous to the mother and fetus.

Self-treatment of pathological edema can be extremely dangerous; only a doctor should decide how to relieve swelling during pregnancy, based on the results of the examination.

Expectant mothers often face the unpleasant problem of swollen legs. Pregnant women are worried about whether it is normal for the body to swell or is it a symptom of a pathology. Doctors seriously monitor the condition of patients and, if necessary, prescribe additional examinations. What are the dangers of edema and whether it is possible to prevent their occurrence, let's figure it out.

Reasons for swollen legs in pregnant women

Over 40% of women during childbearing notice swelling of the lower extremities. There are several reasons for this:

  • excess fluid in the body. Thirst in pregnant women occurs due to changes in the hormonal background, and a frequent desire to drink is considered absolutely normal for expectant mothers;
  • Varicose veins. As the fetus grows in size, the pressure of the uterus on the vessels of the legs also increases. The outflow of venous blood is difficult, and it bursts the veins from the inside. This is how varicose veins develop, usually accompanied by edema;
  • dysfunction of the kidneys. The increased load on the kidneys during pregnancy leads to an inadequate removal of fluid from the body. Outwardly, bruises under the eyes testify to this problem. Rare urination provokes swelling of the legs, and sometimes the upper limbs or the whole body;
  • wrong choice of clothes and shoes. Circulation in pregnant women is disturbed by tight clothing or shoes that compress the blood vessels. High heels are contraindicated for expectant mothers, even if there is no tendency to edema, and especially with it;
  • failures in the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Problems with the thyroid gland and the heart cause swelling of the lower extremities, shoulder girdle, and sometimes the tongue. These diseases are often accompanied by fatigue, constipation and a constant desire to sleep;
  • intestinal disorders. Frequent diarrhea causes malfunctions in the intestines, in turn, leading to the formation of edema;
  • A woman has recently had a viral illness. Some infections give complications to the kidneys, negatively affecting the ability to cope with their functions;
  • acute form of thrombophlebitis. If swelling is accompanied by pain, redness of the legs and fever, the doctor may suspect acute thrombophlebitis;
  • gestosis. With this disease, the external and internal parts of the body swell, including the placenta. Therefore, preeclampsia is deadly for the child and poses a threat to the health of the mother.

 On the example of Kim Kardashian, you can see. that the wrong selection of shoes by a pregnant woman, in addition to the risk of injury, is fraught with swelling of the legs, which have been in an uncomfortable position for a long time

Symptoms of edema in the body of a pregnant woman

Initially, the ankles of the legs swell, then the edema moves down to the feet or rises along the lower leg in the direction of the hips. In rare cases, the calves and knees are affected, but this is more of a pathology than the norm. Against the background of a general increase in body weight during pregnancy, swelling is not immediately determined by women. Signs that allow you to confirm suspicions of edema:

  • there is a feeling of constriction of the legs in the usual shoes. There is usually no accumulation of fat in the feet, even if a person gains extra pounds. So, if on the eve of comfortable shoes or boots suddenly became small, it means that liquid has accumulated at the bottom of the lower extremities;
  • there is a significant difference in volume between the liquid drunk and the one that is excreted. If a pregnant woman receives per day the amount of fluid prescribed to her according to the norm (30–40 ml per 1 kilogram of a woman’s weight), and the daily urine collection shows a much smaller volume, then the remaining fluid remains in the soft tissues of the body. The liquid consumed refers to all drinks, vegetable or meat broths and gravies in dishes;
  • when pressed on the skin, the dents do not dissolve for a long time. By pressing on the lower leg in the normal state, you can see the hole from the finger, which disappears in a second. With edema, it takes longer to disappear. The trace from the gum of socks on a swollen leg also does not last long;
  • the skin tightens and becomes pale. The accumulated liquid stretches the skin, as a result of which it becomes thinner and seems to shine;
  • there is a rapid weight gain expectant mother. With an established diet of a pregnant woman, the next weighing shows a greater weight gain than is normal (maximum 300 g per week in the last months of gestation).

 The control of the weight of the expectant mother makes it possible to suspect internal edema at the initial stage, if the difference between weekly readings exceeds 450 g

When to see a doctor about swelling during pregnancy

If signs of fluid accumulation are noted in the evening, most often after a long stay in an upright position, and by morning the swelling subsides, then there is no reason to worry. You just need to limit yourself to walking and standing for a long time, then the likelihood of leg swelling is significantly reduced.

The ankles can swell when a woman abuses salty and smoked foods, as a result of a lack of potassium.

Video: my experience of dealing with edema with preeclampsia

And if edema bothers you in the morning and does not disappear after rest, this is an occasion to immediately visit a doctor. It is also necessary to seek medical help in the following cases:

  • weighing shows a sharp weight gain. If a pregnant woman monitors her diet, but still gains more than 300 g per week, then there are edema, possibly internal organs, which is very dangerous for the fetus;
  • fingers and toes become numb, it becomes impossible to bend them with the usual ease. In addition, there is a burning sensation and tingling due to compression of the nerves by the accumulated fluid. It hurts to get on the feet, the shoes are tight and it is difficult or completely impossible to remove the rings from the fingers;
  • the face is noticeably rounded, swelling of the lips and nose appears;
  • heart rate increases, blood pressure rises and shortness of breath appears.

My childhood friend spent the last months in anticipation of a child in conservation. Preeclampsia was manifested by swelling of the legs, arms and face. Masha was simply inflated like a balloon. After the birth of her daughter, 13 out of 22 kilograms gained during pregnancy left in the maternity hospital, of which only 3,200 fell on the baby, named Inna in honor of the doctor who fought for many months for her birth. Mashunya strictly followed all the recommendations of the gynecologist and the daughter was born without deviations.
Edema and high blood pressure are signs of a life-threatening disease for mother and child called preeclampsia, or late toxicosis

What is dangerous edema during pregnancy

According to statistics, up to 90% of pregnant women in the last trimester suffer from edema. They are not always dangerous, although they cause discomfort. Anxiety causes swelling, as a symptom of certain diseases.

Preeclampsia develops due to the fact that the increased load on the blood vessels deprives them of strength and elasticity. Fluid and protein from the blood freely enter the soft tissues, causing internal edema, which is not immediately detectable. The loss of water in the circulatory system leads to an increase in blood clotting, its thickening and increased pressure. All this causes the appearance of blood clots, which are dangerous for the life of the mother and child.

Kidney diseases in the mother pose a danger to the fetus by disrupting the normal functions of the urinary system. Waste products and toxins accumulate in the tissues, not being removed in a timely manner. This pathology is characterized by puffiness of the face and swelling of the eyelids during the hours of morning awakening from sleep.

In case of malfunctions in the work of the cardiovascular system, edema occurs mainly in the evening. All accompanying symptoms should be carefully considered so that a serious disease does not have time to develop.

Video: what to do with swelling of the legs during pregnancy

Treatment of swelling of the legs in pregnant women

If edema is caused by diseases, first of all, you need to treat the cause, and not get rid of the symptoms. Pregnant women are trying to prescribe non-drug treatment, since it is difficult to predict the reaction of the female body or the fetus to the components of the drugs. Correction of the diet and drinking regimen helps to cope with edema that appears from time to time.

The correct diet of a pregnant woman with a tendency to edema

You need to drink up to 1.5 liters of water per day, excluding compotes and broths. You should not drink water at once in large volumes, it is better little by little, but often. It is advisable to consume the main part before lunch. You can drink freshly squeezed unsweetened juices or fruit drinks, tea with milk. It is better to exclude caffeinated drinks from the diet, as black tea and coffee affect blood vessels and pressure in them. Contrary to popular belief about the benefits of green tea, it also contains caffeine in large quantities. The main thing is not to get carried away, drinking up to two cups a day. Soda, especially sweet, should be forgotten at least during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it retains fluid in the body and causes heartburn. If you want to try herbal preparations for diuretic tea, be sure to consult your doctor about the advisability of such treatment and prevention.
Compression bandages are sold in specialized stores to prevent swelling in the foot and lower leg.

First of all, you need to exclude all products that cause thirst:

  • food from fast food restaurants. It is no secret that it contains spices that stimulate the appetite and desire to drink;
  • crackers and chips. As a snack for beer, they contain salt and additives that provoke consumers to wash them down with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks;
  • soda and kvass. Sugary drinks increase thirst, and the person drinks more liquid. And gas bubbles cause intestinal disorders;
  • homemade pickles, dried or salted fish. You don’t even need to explain, everyone understands that salt is almost the main ingredient in these dishes.

After consulting with your doctor, you can sometimes arrange fasting days. Absolutely refuse food in any case!

Here are a few menu options for fasting days:

  1. Cucumber-tomato salad dressed with olive oil and 1 kg of apples. During the day, salad and fruit must be alternated, and during lunch it is allowed to eat a small piece of boiled beef. Do not use salt when cooking.
  2. Kefir day. Only one liter of fermented milk product should be drunk per day instead of all meals.
  3. apple diet. If you eat 1.5–2 kg of green apples per day, you can unload your body well.

 Green apples help improve bowel function due to their fiber content, so they are very useful for pregnant women.

These diets have been tried by me personally and have done their job well. The first time I made a salad for the whole day at once, but already at the second snack I felt a taste of something else from the refrigerator and henceforth I cut a new portion for each meal. Kefir took a daily one if constipation occurred, or a three-day one (from the date of production) with a normal stool. For those who feel that they cannot withstand the recommended amount of food per day, you can cook in the morning and immediately eat a bowl of oatmeal without salt and butter. I boiled it in water.

Exercises and massage to relieve swelling in pregnant women

Light physical activity effectively helps to remove puffiness. A specially designed complex for pregnant women takes into account all the nuances of the position of a woman carrying a child.

You need to start charging with a warm-up:

  1. Lie on your back. Place a round pillow under your feet.
  2. Rotate your feet left and right 10-15 times.
  3. Stretch your heels and toes forward, alternating the order of execution.
  4. Pull the legs bent at the knees to the stomach 10 times and straighten back.

Please note that you can not strain for a long time - if you feel tired, it is better to rest. Due to the growing pressure of the fetus on the uterus, it compresses the vena cava, and women feel dizzy. Most of the exercises for pregnant women are performed in the supine position, but there are other options.

Video: yoga against swelling of the legs in expectant mothers

In the last trimester, do not take risks, but give preference to swimming in the pool. For swelling in the first half of pregnancy, try these sets of exercises:

  • Exercise 1:
    1. Get on all fours.
    2. Take a deep breath and arch your back.
    3. Lower your stomach, straightening your shoulders, and raise your head.
    4. As you exhale, arch your back up, reaching down with your chin.
    5. Repeat steps 10 times.
  • Exercise 2:
    1. Sit on a chair or stool.
    2. Keep your back straight.
    3. Spread small objects on the floor and use your toes to try to pick them up and put them in your hands.

It is advisable to take a massage course with a professional massage therapist, and if this is not possible, seek help from someone close to you. Expectant mothers are allowed only 3 techniques - kneading, stroking and rubbing. Refuse sharp, as if chopping movements.
While lying down, put your feet on an elevation relative to the level of the hips, this will relieve swelling or prevent them from forming

Drug treatment of swelling during pregnancy

The waiting time for a baby is not suitable for health experiments. Any drugs should be prescribed only by a doctor at a personal meeting, and not by friends and relatives who were helped in their case. It is categorically impossible to start drug treatment, focusing on advice on the Internet. They should be taken as an introduction and only for him!

The following herbal medicines are usually prescribed:

  • Cyston contains mumiyo, bicarp, saxifrage and other medicinal herbs. Assign in case of violation of the urinary function, due to which the legs swell;
  • Hofitol is a drug based on artichoke leaves. It is used for inflammation of the urinary organs, edema due to problems with the kidneys or blood circulation;
  • Phytolysin is a pasty medication that contains extracts of medicinal herbs - wheatgrass, horsetail, parsley and knotweed, and essential oils of mint, pine and orange. It is an anti-inflammatory and diuretic;
  • Kanefron - tablets, which include lovage, centaury and rosemary leaves. Helps improve kidney function, providing a mild diuretic effect. In the form of alcohol tincture, it is contraindicated for pregnant women. When treating with Kanefron, it is necessary to ensure sufficient fluid intake to avoid dehydration.

If with their help it is not possible, the gynecologist leading the pregnancy decides on therapy with medicines that are more suitable for a particular woman.

Video: how to treat leg swelling in the third trimester - personal experience

Traditional medicine in the treatment of edema in pregnant women

Grandma's recipes have also been used in the fight against edema. But buying herbs from the hands, taking the word of the sellers, is not worth it. The collection could be carried out in polluted places, or even the wrong plants will be offered.

Collections of herbs for brewing kidney teas are sold in a pharmacy, before use, be sure to ask your doctor for advice about the benefits for you. Among such herbal preparations for pregnant women, the most popular tea is made from the leaves of orthosiphon staminate.

An infusion of birch leaves acts as a diuretic and relieves swelling well. Two tablespoons of dry birch leaves pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for two hours, wrapped in a dense thick cloth. Use half a glass three times a day. Parsley infusion helps in the fight against edema. Grind the root of the plant and pour 1.5-2 cups of boiling water. Infuse for 9 hours, then drink a tablespoon several times a day.

In the absence of allergic reactions, expectant mothers can try bearberry infusion - pour a teaspoon of dried leaves with a glass of boiling water. The drink is ready as soon as it cools down. Strained infusion of bearberry take twice a day for half a glass. It helps well with different degrees of edema and the presence of inflammation of the urinary system.

The call of pregnant women to caution in the treatment applies equally to all medicines: both folk and traditional. It should not be assumed that herbal medicine is harmless.

The berries and leaves of lingonberries effectively remove swelling in pregnant women, this is one of the most effective diuretics in folk medicine. Leafy broth is prepared simply - pour dry collection in the proportion of 1 cup of hot water per 1 teaspoon of lingonberry leaves, bring to a boil and boil for 5-6 minutes. After grinding the berries with sugar and pouring water, they get a fruit drink, which, like a decoction, is drunk three times a day before meals.

The urological herbal collection includes ingredients of exclusively plant origin: mint, dill, calendula, bearberry and eleutherococcus. The action of all components is aimed at stimulating the outflow of fluid and fighting infections in the excretory system. It is necessary to pour 2 tablespoons of the collection of 0.5 liters of water and boil for half an hour. When warm, take 20–25 minutes before meals, 70 ml three times a day.

Our family is expected to replenish in the summer - the younger sister is preparing for the birth of her first child. Since she had problems with kidney function since childhood, she honestly told the doctor about it, and she was prescribed Brusniver. While treatment with infusion of lingonberry leaves before the 28th week of pregnancy causes heated debate among doctors, there are almost no negative reviews about Brusniver. From the tenth week, Anya periodically brews 2 bags of the collection in the morning and drinks during the day, sometimes she puts one filter bag in a cup instead of the two recommended by the manufacturer. But Brusniver did not help her recently given birth friend, that edema was due to varicose veins, and Oksana wore compression stockings. As you can see, there are no universal remedies for solving the problem of edema during pregnancy.

Almost every pregnant woman is aware that the waiting period for a child is accompanied by swelling of the arms, legs, face and other parts of the body. Statistics say that only 20% of women do not face such a nuisance at this time. During the normal course of pregnancy, about 7 liters of additional fluid accumulate in the body of the future mother, which is distributed rather unevenly: about 5-6 liters are retained outside the tissues, the rest is in the tissues of the body. In the last weeks, about 3 liters of fluid accumulates in the form of amniotic fluid in the placenta and the baby's body.

The cause of puffiness can be both normal physiological processes, and the manifestation of such a complication during pregnancy as late toxicosis - preeclampsia. In order to determine the cause of the increased accumulation of fluid in the limbs, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist who "accompanies" a woman during pregnancy.

How to save yourself from swelling of the limbs?

What to do when the legs swell during pregnancy, because folk remedies should be used with great care, and it is advisable to abandon them altogether and do prevention. A diuretic for edema during pregnancy should be prescribed only by a doctor, because self-medication can be dangerous for both the expectant mother and the baby.

There are a number of tips that will help a pregnant woman cope with the appearance of edema:

  • balanced and complete nutrition, which is rich in proteins and carbohydrates;
  • a decrease in the amount of salt consumed, at best, it should be completely excluded from the diet for a while;
  • you need to try to avoid a long stay in one position: sitting or standing;
  • with edema, doctors also do not recommend walking a lot;
  • you should not severely limit fluid intake, about 1.5 liters per day will be enough, but abuse is also fraught with the appearance of additional swelling;
  • if swelling bothers in the area of ​​​​the legs, then in the daytime and evening, put them on a hill for 15-20 minutes and do an energetic massage in this area;
  • when the gynecologist determined that the cause of swelling of the legs is the uterus, which in the third trimester began to compress all the internal organs, special gymnastics can help, or rather, only a certain position: knee-elbow, in which you need to be at least 2 hours a day. This time can be divided into 10 sets of 20 minutes, or at the discretion of the pregnant woman.

Types and causes of edema

If the arms and legs swell, and no protein was found in the urine, and the pressure in the pregnant woman is within the normal range, then most likely the reasons lie in the slowing down of blood circulation in the extremities. It usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy, after about 30 weeks. When a woman does not control her diet at the same time and consumes a large amount of salt, and then liquids, the consequence is quite obvious - mild or severe swelling that disappears after a night's rest, but returns again during the day. This is not considered a dangerous condition, but it still gives the pregnant woman some discomfort, therefore, it requires certain actions to adjust the diet and other preventive actions.

There are 4 stages of swelling:

  1. fluid accumulates in the lower leg area;
  2. the feet and lower abdomen are connected to the lower leg;
  3. swelling of the hands is added to the previous parts of the body;
  4. almost the whole body swells.

There are also hidden edema that cannot be seen in the appearance of a pregnant woman. They may be suspected by a doctor when a woman has a sharp jump in weight gain, while the usual diet has not changed much.

Especially often swelling of the legs disturbs pregnant women who suffer from heart disease, kidney problems, or varicose veins. In this case, the condition of the woman must be monitored by a specialist.

When this problem occurs due to preeclampsia, the fluid first accumulates in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe feet, gradually rising up to the face. Sometimes the first manifestations of late toxicosis occur in the form of weight gain by more than 350g per week. When edema began to appear throughout the body, we can conclude that dropsy of pregnant women has come. If protein in the urine and high blood pressure are added to this, then the treatment of this condition occurs in stationary conditions. In mild cases, a woman can simply be prescribed a number of drugs and sent home, but she will need to be seen by a doctor much more often than usual.