Leg swelling during pregnancy

Why does swelling of the legs occur during pregnancy? Is it possible to avoid it, and if so, how? Often during the period of bearing a child, women experience a certain discomfort associated with the appearance of swelling of the lower extremities. Let's try to consider these issues in more detail.

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Causes of Leg Swelling During Pregnancy

Before you start fighting unpleasant symptoms, you should first clarify what the cause of this condition is and whether it is pathological. After all, swelling can be a consequence of diseases of the heart, blood vessels, genitourinary system (pyelonephritis, nephrosis). Only a doctor can determine the causes and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.

Severe swelling of the legs during pregnancy is observed mainly in the last, third trimester. In the early stages, this phenomenon is less common: the appearance of swelling in the first trimester, as a rule, indicates an existing pathology in the body of the expectant mother.

As each week of pregnancy progresses, the uterus gradually increases in size, exerting mechanical pressure on some blood vessels, including large ones. Blood stagnates in the veins, and the rate of its upward outflow decreases.

As a consequence of the hormonal surge, as well as the lack of some vitamins, the elasticity of the vascular wall decreases. The situation is aggravated by the presence of such diseases in the pregnant woman as varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, chronic circulatory failure.

With each month of pregnancy, the expectant mother gains weight, the load on the venous system of the lower extremities increases, and visible swelling becomes more and more.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that swelling can be associated with various pathologies of the urinary system, cardiac disorders, and can also be a formidable sign of late toxicosis of pregnancy.

An abundance of heavy foods in the diet, consumption of smoked and salted foods, excessive consumption of all kinds of chips, crackers and nuts can provoke disorders of salt metabolism in the body, fluid retention by sodium salts.

Possible causes of edema during pregnancy may also be violations of the drinking regime. Too much liquid consumed simply does not have time to be eliminated from the body. With insufficient fluid intake, the body switches to economy mode and begins to intensively accumulate water in the tissues, as they say, "in reserve".

Frequent and long walks and standing in one place for a long time, especially in the third trimester, also influence the appearance of edema.

According to statistics, about 80% of expectant mothers face the problem of edema during pregnancy. However, almost all of them, with few exceptions, give birth to healthy children without any pathological deviations.

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Diagnosis of leg swelling during pregnancy

Let's look at the approximate symptoms of swelling step by step:

• At 22 weeks of pregnancy, swelling is isolated and inconstant. It is usually characterized by the presence of slight swelling of the lower extremities, more often towards evening. The discomfort is mild;
• At 24 weeks of pregnancy, a gradual increase in the process of fluid accumulation in the body is possible. A significant improvement in the condition is observed by the morning of the next day;
• At 26 weeks, swelling of the ankles is often clearly visible in the evening, and a feeling of heaviness and burning in the legs is possible;
• At 34 weeks, swelling becomes noticeable not only on the legs, but also on the arms and face;
• At 35 weeks, weight continues to increase, swelling spreads throughout the body, and symptoms of blood stagnation increase;
• At 36 weeks, the swelling is total, it becomes difficult to move. The skin seems to stretch, becomes tense. However, by the morning the condition improves;
• If swelling does not go away by the morning at 37 weeks of pregnancy, you must definitely tell your doctor about it;
• At 38 weeks of pregnancy, all women experience swelling. It is important to monitor blood pressure. If you experience a severe headache, dizziness, vomiting, you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent the development of preeclamptic conditions;
• At 39 weeks, swelling may be observed throughout the body, minor cramps are possible, and a nagging pain may appear in the legs and lower back.

Usually after childbirth, swelling subsides and the water-salt balance returns to normal within a few days.

It is very important to prevent such a pregnancy complication as dropsy, or gestosis. This disease can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms: significant weight gain over 20 kg, total massive edema, increased blood pressure. When conducting laboratory tests, protein is found in the urine. This condition requires mandatory hospitalization, since there is a real threat to the life of both the fetus and the mother.

Predominant swelling of the right or left leg during pregnancy is observed mainly with varicose veins of the lower extremities. The weak valve system of the affected veins does not cope with the function of moving venous blood, so the blood stagnates, and the fluid passes into nearby tissues, causing swelling.

The main accumulation of fluid occurs in the leg in which the damage to the venous vessels is more pronounced.

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Treatment of leg swelling during pregnancy

The main fundamental factor for successful treatment and prevention of leg swelling during pregnancy is diet and drinking regime. The diet involves giving up sweets, salty foods, smoked foods and hot spices. Preference is given to fermented milk products, vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to take vitamin complexes to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

Liquids should be consumed up to 2 liters per day, but not less than 1 liter; it is better not to drink tea or coffee, but regular still water or freshly squeezed juices.

In case of particularly pronounced edema, diuretic drugs are prescribed. They are prescribed only by a doctor, and blood pressure must be monitored during administration.

You can use herbal infusions such as horsetail, lingonberry or currant leaves, dry parsley or nettle root, caraway. Pumpkin or birch juice, cranberry juice, viburnum fruits, and celery juice are also useful for leg swelling.

Yoga or special gymnastics for pregnant women significantly activate tissue trophism and help improve the general condition.

It is recommended to rest more. During rest, it is better to raise your legs with a bolster or pillow: this way the blood will flow more easily through the vessels, without stagnating in the extremities.

If you experience any symptoms of swelling during pregnancy, you should tell your doctor. Timely diagnosis will help avoid serious complications such as late toxicosis (gestosis) and eclampsia of pregnant women. Follow your doctor's advice, lead a healthy lifestyle, adhere to the principles of proper nutrition, and swelling of the legs during pregnancy will not cause you much discomfort.