How to Treat Swollen Feet During Pregnancy and Their Causes

Nafa Lightyani

How to Treat Swollen Feet During Pregnancy and Their Causes

Rancakmedia.com – For those of you who are pregnant and experiencing swelling in your legs, you can try to overcome this swollen feet during pregnancy which we have provided below.

When a woman is pregnant, her body experiences many hormonal and physical changes that can affect her health. One of the common problems faced by many pregnant women is swollen feet.

Swollen legs during pregnancy occur when the body experiences an increase in blood volume, while the blood vessels in the legs are compressed by the enlarged uterus.

In addition, factors such as weight gain, lack of physical activity, and excessive salt intake can also worsen this condition.

Causes of Swollen Feet During Pregnancy

Although swollen feet during pregnancy are usually not dangerous, they can cause discomfort and difficulty in moving.

Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to manage this condition well and maintain their health during pregnancy.

Causes of Swollen Feet During Pregnancy

Swollen feet during pregnancy usually occur due to several factors that affect the health of pregnant women. Some common causes of swollen feet during pregnancy include:

  • Hormonal changes: During pregnancy, the body produces the hormone progesterone which functions to prepare the uterus and body for pregnancy. However, this hormone can also affect blood circulation, which can cause swelling of the feet and ankles.
  • Increased blood volume: During pregnancy, a woman's blood volume increases by about 50 percent of its normal level. This increase in blood volume affects blood circulation and can cause swelling in the legs.
  • Pressure on blood vessels: As pregnancy progresses, the enlarging uterus can put pressure on blood vessels in the pelvis and legs, thereby restricting blood flow to the legs.
  • Weight gain: Weight gain during pregnancy can also affect swollen feet. The more weight the body carries, the greater the chance of swelling in the feet and ankles.
  • Lack of physical activity: Lack of physical activity during pregnancy can affect blood circulation and cause swelling in the legs.
  • Excessive sodium intake: Excessive sodium intake in the diet can cause fluid retention in the body, which can lead to swelling of the feet and ankles.

How to Treat Swollen Feet During Pregnancy Without Hassle

Although swollen feet during pregnancy are usually not dangerous, they can cause discomfort and difficulty in moving. Here are some tips to help relieve swollen feet during pregnancy:

How to Treat Swollen Feet During Pregnancy Without Hassle

  1. Elevating the legs: Elevating the legs can help increase blood circulation to the legs and reduce swelling. Try to raise your legs as high as possible when sitting or lying down.
  2. Wear comfortable shoes: Wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes can help reduce pressure on the feet and ankles, and improve blood circulation to the feet.
  3. Keep your body hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and help reduce fluid retention which can cause swelling.
  4. Exercise regularly: Light exercise such as walking or swimming can help improve blood circulation and reduce swelling in the legs.
  5. Massaging the feet: Gently massaging the feet can help increase blood circulation to the feet and reduce swelling.
  6. Avoid standing for long periods of time: Standing for long periods of time can worsen the condition of swollen feet. Try to sit or lie down every once in a while to give your legs time to rest.
  7. Control sodium intake: Avoid excessive sodium intake in food and drinks, because it can worsen the condition of swollen feet. Choose foods that are low in sodium or without added salt.

Things that require medical treatment for swollen feet

Although swollen feet during pregnancy are generally not dangerous, there are some signs to pay attention to that could indicate a serious health problem. Here are some signs you need to pay attention to:

Things that require medical treatment for swollen feet

  • Sudden swelling: If you experience sudden swelling in just one leg, this could be a sign of a dangerous blood clot. Immediately contact your health care provider if you experience this condition.
  • Severe swelling: If your feet swell significantly and feel very uncomfortable, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Very severe swelling can indicate a serious health problem such as preeclampsia.
  • Pain in the feet: If swollen feet are accompanied by pain or tenderness, contact your healthcare provider immediately as this could be a sign of a serious health problem.
  • Discharge from the feet: If there is fluid coming from your feet, contact your healthcare provider immediately as this could be a sign of infection.

If you experience the signs above, contact your health care provider immediately. It is important to pay attention to these signs and not delay in seeking medical attention if necessary.

Conclusion

Swollen legs during pregnancy occur when the body experiences an increase in blood volume, while the blood vessels in the legs are compressed by the enlarged uterus.

That's the information about how to deal with swollen feet during pregnancy and the causes, hopefully the article above can be useful and helpful for all of you.

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Nafa Lightyani

I am a content writer for SEO, Technology, Finance, Travel, Cooking Recipes and others. I hope this can be useful for all my friends.