Swollen Feet and Ankles During Pregnancy: Causes and Remedies
When you are expecting a child, you need to be very careful about their habits and their way of life. His body will undergo several physical changes, one of which is swelling in his feet. Swollen feet (oedema) are common during pregnancy. The ankles, hands, and feet are often affected by oedema. Do not worry; there are methods to reduce oedema. In this article, we’ll look at the cause and some great home treatments for swollen feet during pregnancy.
Causes
Swelling of the feet and legs usually begins around the fifth month of pregnancy. Swollen legs, ankles, and feet are caused by excess fluid in the tissues in this scenario. Oedema of pregnancy is the medical term for this condition. However, when the child is born, the swelling goes away on its own.
Oedema in pregnant women can be due to several factors:
- Hormones The body secretes hormones that cause water retention during pregnancy. Relaxin is one of them and prepares the pelvic ligaments for childbirth by dilating them. This hormone can also cause swollen feet in certain women. Swollen feet are often painful in this situation.
- The expansion of the uterus. The uterus puts increasing pressure on the blood arteries during pregnancy. Both blood circulation and venous return are difficult to achieve correctly.
- Weight gain due to the development of the baby and changes in metabolism.
When Should I Be Concerned About Bloating In Pregnancy?
Although swelling is common during pregnancy and bothersome, it is usually not a cause for concern. However, it can be an indication of a serious illness in rare cases.
Call your doctor or midwife right away if you develop sudden or severe swelling in your hands, face, or feet. It could be a sign of preeclampsia, a dangerous disease that will affect both your blood pressure and your baby’s.
If only one leg is hot and swollen, see your doctor immediately. It can be caused by a blood clot. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and requires medical intervention.
Symptoms of DVT include:
- severe pain and hot skin in that area
- pain, swelling, or tenderness in one of your legs, usually the calf
- red or discoloured skin, especially on the calf
Home remedies for swollen feet during pregnancy
Simple diet and lifestyle modifications can help. Consider the following:
- Eat Potassium-Rich Foods: Including potassium-rich foods on your plate can help minimize oedema. Bananas, avocados, figs, celery, spinach, and cabbage are just a few examples.
- Add Magnesium to Your Diet: Insufficient magnesium causes water retention in the body. So, eat foods like almonds, cashews, tofu, dark chocolate, broccoli, and other magnesium-rich foods to keep your magnesium levels high.
- Use Cabbage Leaves: Did you know that cabbage leaves can soak up more fluid from your feet? Fresh cabbage leaves should be placed over the damaged areas and covered with a cotton cloth. In no time, you will notice a decrease in swelling!
- Avoid packaged and processed foods: Packaged foods contain excessive levels of table salt. The problem of swollen feet during pregnancy is made worse by salt. So stay away from them if you want to maintain electrolyte balance. (If there is bloating, more salt should be avoided … However, do not eliminate salt from your diet as your body requires it.)
- Eat coriander seeds: in a glass of water, soak the coriander seeds (2-3 tablespoons). Boil this water, strain the seeds and drink once a day. (Best taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.)
- Get plenty of rest: During the day, putting your feet up is essential. Standing for a long time puts undue stress on the feet, exacerbating oedema. While resting, keep your feet up.
- Lie on your left side: While lying down, turn to your left. This improves your body’s blood circulation and reduces oedema in your feet.
- Buy compression socks: You can choose compression socks with 12-15mm or 15-20mm mercury range. Start with lightweight socks and work your way up to a pair that gives you relief. (It is better not to wear compression socks during pregnancy.)
- Don’t stay in a stationary position for a long time: Edema can also be caused by keeping your body in a fixed position for long periods. Moving your feet and changing your sitting or standing position regularly is essential. Take a brisk walk in or out of your office every 4 to 5 hours if you work at a desk. This will improve blood circulation and, as a result, minimize oedema.
- Pay attention to your clothing and footwear: comfortable shoes, such as low-top shoes and sneakers, are recommended. Shoes that are too tight can aggravate the condition. Also, wear supportive tights and leggings. They should not be too tight. To improve support, try wearing stockings or other support in the morning when there is no oedema. Avoid those with a tight fit around the ankles.
- Soak your feet in saltwater: Epsom salt can be added to bathwater and absorbed with your feet.
- Cut down on caffeine: When you are pregnant, caffeine is not a good idea. If you notice signs of swollen feet, you should stop drinking it because it can cause dehydration.
- Exercise: Regular exercise is an excellent strategy for reducing foot swelling and improving blood circulation. However, some women have reported that exercise worsens their symptoms. Only do exercises that are safe for pregnant women. On the Internet, you can search for safe workouts for pregnant women. We also suggest consulting a certified yoga teacher and exercising only if your gynaecologist allows it.
- Go swimming: here we explain how to keep your blood circulation in good shape. Swimming is beneficial because it works against the pull of gravity on fluids. Swimming is also a safe type of exercise to participate in during pregnancy.
- Drink Water: You may think the last thing you want to do to reduce fluid retention is to drink more water, but flushing your system with 8-10 glasses of water a day will remove the wastes that cause bloating.
- Lose a few pounds if you are overweight: Obesity affects blood circulation and increases pressure on the feet. It can also cause fluid build-up on the feet. See your gynaecologist to see if you can safely lose weight.
- Massage your feet: Your feet will be extremely fatigued and exhausted during your pregnancy. This is understandable; after all, you carry a human person in your womb! A massage can help you relax and at the same time improve your blood circulation. (Instead of writing while holding a human being, you are holding a baby in your womb.)
When you are pregnant, there are many things to keep in mind. Swollen feet can make you feel uncomfortable. However, there are methods to reduce it. Eat nutritious food and maintain an active lifestyle. When your feet swell during pregnancy, start with home remedies because they have no negative effects.
If the swelling begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it could be related to pre-eclampsia, a type of high blood pressure. It is advisable to consult a gynaecologist to review it and take care of any problems.
