Many pregnant women will experience some swelling in their hands and feet during the course of their pregnancy, especially, during the last few weeks when your uterus and your baby is putting more pressure on your pelvis. This additional pressure is causing your body to have to work harder to return the blood from your lower extremities back to your heart. If your body is unable to get the blood back to your heart quickly enough, your blood will begin to pool in your lower extremities. This causes your body to begin collecting additional fluid in your feet and ankles. The swelling is a result of your body retaining more water in the tissue in your extremities. You may notice more swelling toward the end of the day and if you happen to be pregnant during the summer months.
Disclosure: I am not a doctor, nurse, or health care provider. This post is for informational purposes only and never should replace getting medical treatment for you and your unborn baby.
How Much Swelling is Too Much?
If you notice that you are having symptoms of swelling, make sure that you mention it to your doctor on your next prenatal visit. Your doctor should tell you that if you experience any swelling or puffiness around your eyes, excessive swelling in your hands, if your feet suddenly swell, or excessive swelling in your ankles or feet to contact their office immediately or head to labor and delivery. The symptoms listed here are signs that you are at risk for preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a series complication that affects around 5% of all pregnant women which requires additional monitoring during the remainder of your pregnancy.
Excessive Swelling Can Be A Sign of A Possible Blood Clot
When you are in the late stages of pregnancy, you more at risk for blood clots in your legs due to the amount of pressure that the uterus and your baby is putting on your pelvis. This pressure is making it harder to return the blood to your heart. During pregnancy, your blood chemistry can change making you more susceptible for pregnancy induced blood clots. If you notice that one leg is swollen significantly more than your other leg or if your leg is super tender in one spot, contact your doctor or midwife immediately or head to labor and delivery so that they can make sure that you don’t have a blood clot in your leg.
What Can I Do to Help Prevent Excessive Swelling?
During the course of your pregnancy, if you notice that your feet are swelling it is important that you do what you can to help your body rid itself of the excess fluid. The best way to reduce swelling is to lay down on your left side, which relieves some of the pressure on your pelvis and vena cava (large vein responsible for returning blood from your lower body back to your heart) and allows for maximum blood flow. However, if you are working and laying down isn’t an option try these tips to help keep your feet from swelling too much:
- Avoid excessive salt.
- Do eat a balanced diet and avoid junk food.
- Avoid excessive caffeine.
- Put your feet up as much as possible (put a stack of books or something under your desk so that your feet are elevated)
- Drink plenty of water
- Stretch your legs while you are sitting (stretching your calf muscles, wiggle your toes, rotate your ankles)
- Don’t wear tight or conforming shoes, find comfortable shoes that will expand with your swollen feet.
- Don’t cross your legs or ankles when you are sitting.
- Take frequent breaks when you have to sit or stand for long periods of time.
- Take a short walk to help keep the blood from pooling in your legs.
- Don’t wear socks that have a tight bands at the top; instead, find comfortable socks that are free of tight bands and stretch easily.
- Buy waist high maternity stockings. If you buy these, make sure that you put them on immediately after getting out of bed so that the blood doesn’t have a chance to pool in your legs.
- Exercise if it is physically possible. Water aerobics or swimming is a great way to exercise because the water takes the pressure off your joints and it is low impact. Plus it will help reduce swelling.
The good news is your swelling is only temporary and will go away on its own once you delivery your baby. It is important that you take care of yourself and your unborn baby.
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