Edema (Article from PregnancyWeekly.com)
Well past the halfway point of pregnancy most expectant mothers look down at their feet and ankles and gasp at the sight of no anklebones! If a pregnancy has had to endure the summer months this revelation may appear sooner than the halfway mark. Adding insult to injury, it is usually with this discovery that you come to the realization that you need to move up a shoe size to relieve the discomfort of the swelling known as edema.
Edema results as a by product of the extra blood your body has acquired during your pregnancy. The growing uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins and the vena cava (a large vein on the right side of the body that receives blood from the lower limbs). Circulation slows down and causes the blood to pool. Pressure is caused from trapped blood forcing water down into the tissues of the feet and ankles. The water is fluid that would normally be in the body, it has simply become displaced. In addition to this fluid displacement, at times pregnant women also retain excess water, which will add to the swelling.
The description of how edema occurs sounds scary but it is quite common and normal during pregnancy so don't be alarmed. However, if you experience severe and/or sudden swelling in your hands and face call your doctor. Swelling in these areas are not usually associated with edema and could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition for both mother and baby.
Here are some tried and true strategies to control edema:
* Elevate your feet whenever possible. Swelling in the legs is often called "gravity edema," it will decrease when the legs and feet are elevated. At work, elevate your feet under your desk on a stool or stack of books, and at home, try to lie on your left side whenever possible.
* Wear support pantyhose. The best way to prevent edema on a daily basis is to put the support pantyhose on before getting out of bed in the morning so that the blood doesn't have the chance to cause the fluid to pool around the ankles. Yes, it sounds impossible getting a pregnant body into support pantyhose while still in the bed but it can be done and it will worth the effort. What a great way to start the day with a good laugh at yourself!
* Drink plenty of water, not just fluids W-A-T-E-R. It sounds like an oxymoron but the more water you drink, the less fluid your body will retain. Go figure!
Exercise regularly. Walking, swimming or riding an exercise bike will give the most benefit. Don't over do it, just enough to get relief.
* Eat a well balanced, nutritious diet and avoid extra sodium and very salty foods like olives and salted nuts.
So if it's the middle of hot weather, and you feel like one of those big balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, take it in stride, sit down and kick off those tight shoes, put your feet up and relax with a BIG glass of water!
Edema results as a by product of the extra blood your body has acquired during your pregnancy. The growing uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins and the vena cava (a large vein on the right side of the body that receives blood from the lower limbs). Circulation slows down and causes the blood to pool. Pressure is caused from trapped blood forcing water down into the tissues of the feet and ankles. The water is fluid that would normally be in the body, it has simply become displaced. In addition to this fluid displacement, at times pregnant women also retain excess water, which will add to the swelling.
The description of how edema occurs sounds scary but it is quite common and normal during pregnancy so don't be alarmed. However, if you experience severe and/or sudden swelling in your hands and face call your doctor. Swelling in these areas are not usually associated with edema and could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition for both mother and baby.
Here are some tried and true strategies to control edema:
* Elevate your feet whenever possible. Swelling in the legs is often called "gravity edema," it will decrease when the legs and feet are elevated. At work, elevate your feet under your desk on a stool or stack of books, and at home, try to lie on your left side whenever possible.
* Wear support pantyhose. The best way to prevent edema on a daily basis is to put the support pantyhose on before getting out of bed in the morning so that the blood doesn't have the chance to cause the fluid to pool around the ankles. Yes, it sounds impossible getting a pregnant body into support pantyhose while still in the bed but it can be done and it will worth the effort. What a great way to start the day with a good laugh at yourself!
* Drink plenty of water, not just fluids W-A-T-E-R. It sounds like an oxymoron but the more water you drink, the less fluid your body will retain. Go figure!
Exercise regularly. Walking, swimming or riding an exercise bike will give the most benefit. Don't over do it, just enough to get relief.
* Eat a well balanced, nutritious diet and avoid extra sodium and very salty foods like olives and salted nuts.
So if it's the middle of hot weather, and you feel like one of those big balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, take it in stride, sit down and kick off those tight shoes, put your feet up and relax with a BIG glass of water!