Causes and way out of Swollen legs during pregnancy

Emobileclinic Trending Topic: Edema in Pregnancy

Emobileclinic Specialist

There are times during pregnancy when it becomes difficult for pregnant woman to wear the shoe she wore the previous day owing to swelling of the legs, this situation is known in the medical parlance as edema.

Edema is the medical term for fluid retention in the body which causes affected tissue to become swollen. It may also occurs as a result of certain health conditions, such as heart failure or kidney failure as well as swelling or puffiness of the skin.

Edema can also cause skin discolouration, aching, tender limbs, stiff joints, weight gain or weight loss, raised blood pressure and pulse rate among others. During pregnancy, edema affects about three quarters of pregnant women beginning from week 22 to week 27 of pregnancy, and it will likely stick around until you give birth.

Causes of edema in pregnancy

During pregnancy, edema occurs when body fluids increase to nurture the mother and the baby, it accumulates in the tissues as a result of increased blood flow and pressure of the growing uterus on the pelvic veins and the vena cava (the large vein on the right side of the body that returns blood from the lower limbs to the heart).

Is swollen  ankles and feet during pregnancy risky?

Mild swelling of the ankles and feet caused by edema is harmless and perfectly normal. However if the hands and/or face become puffy or if swelling persists for more than a day at a time may necessitate the visit to a practitioner because excessive swelling can be one sign of preeclampsia , this becomes critical if it is accompanied by a variety of other symptoms (such as elevated blood pressure, rapid weight gain and protein in the urine). One should not entertain any fear and worry if the blood pressure and urine test are found to be normal in the hospital.

likely wayout:

• Avoid long periods of standing or sitting.

• Kick up your feet. 

• Sleep on the left side. 

• Avoid tight elastic-top socks or stockings. 

• Wear comfortable shoes. 

• Put on supportive hose

• Consume more water

• Consume salt moderately