Swollen feet during pregnancy, this is the cause and how to deal with it

During pregnancy, the mother's body undergoes many changes as the fetus grows in the womb. One of the common problems experienced by pregnant women is swelling. This swelling often occurs in the feet and hands because of the large amount of fluid in the body. The following is an explanation about swollen feet during pregnancy.

What causes swollen feet during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the body produces about 50 percent additional blood and fluids to meet the needs of the developing fetus.

Swollen feet during pregnancy is a normal phase that must be passed due to increased volume of blood and fluids. But you have to be vigilant because it can be a sign of preeclampsia, quoted from American Pregnancy.

Although it can sometimes occur in the hands, the swelling generally affects only the feet and ankles. This fluid tends to collect in the lower body.

This extra fluid also helps prepare the hip joint and tissues to open up in preparation for childbirth and softens the baby's growing body.

Not only that, the uterus that continues to develop during pregnancy puts pressure on the pelvic veins (veins in the pelvis) and vena cava (large blood vessels on the right side of the body that carry blood from the organs to the heart).

This pressure slows down the flow of blood from the legs to the heart so that blood builds up and presses fluid from the veins to the tissue in the legs.

This buildup of fluid in the tissue causes the feet to become swollen.

Excess fluid can build up in some parts of the body, causing swelling called edema. Usually this condition gets worse as the womb gets older.

Swollen feet during pregnancy also occur as the development of the fetus makes the uterus grow bigger, especially when the womb is 9 months old.

The uterus also compresses the blood vessels and blocks the blood that is supposed to flow from the legs to the heart.

Blood and its fluid components also accumulate on the hands, feet, face and fingers.

In addition, swollen feet during pregnancy can also be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, such as:

Too much salt intake that contains sodium makes more fluid in the cells.
Too much caffeine consumption which puts pressure on the blood vessels.
Lack of potassium intake to maintain electrolyte balance.
Standing or walking too much can put pressure on the blood flow in your legs.

If there is a lack of potassium, more fluid will be in the cells and the electrolyte fluid balance is not achieved.

Swollen feet or leg edema usually occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Is the condition of swollen feet during pregnancy a danger?

After delivery, edema will disappear rapidly depending on the body's ability to reduce excess fluid.

Pregnant women will urinate more frequently and sweat a lot on the first day after giving birth. This is the body's way of removing the fluid.

Even so, it is necessary to watch out for some serious problems that are accompanied by comorbidities when experiencing swollen feet, namely:

Heart problems (characterized by chest pain and difficulty breathing).
Swollen legs that hurt (a sign of blockage in blood flow in the legs).
Preeclampsia (accompanied by headaches and blurry vision)

Swelling (edema) in the legs is not a serious problem, but if it is not treated properly it can develop in other parts of the body.

How to deal with swollen feet during pregnancy

Experiencing swelling of the feet during pregnancy certainly makes it uncomfortable and difficult to move. There is no specific drug to treat swollen feet during pregnancy.

However, there are some new habits that pregnant women need to do to reduce the effects of swelling in the legs.

1. Adjusting the diet

Swelling of the fingers and toes can get worse if pregnant women lack potassium intake, often eat foods high in salt, and consume caffeine.

Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the healthy diet of pregnant women in the following ways:

Increase your potassium intake from bananas, melons, oranges, dried fruits, mushrooms, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and nuts.
Increase the consumption of natural foods and limit processed foods that are high in salt.
Limit caffeine intake.
Eat natural diuretic foods (triggers the secretion of body fluids) such as celery and ginger.

Adjust the food menu to your taste.

2. Keeps the body hydrated

Drinking lots of water actually helps to deal with swollen hands and feet during pregnancy.

This is because water is able to attract excess fluid that has accumulated in the body, then excretes it with urine.

You can also take advantage of the water by soaking, swimming, or simply standing in a shallow pool.

Water will exert a compressive force on the tissues of the body to remove the fluid that has accumulated in them.

3. Sleep on your left

Sleeping position for pregnant women facing the left will reduce the pressure on the inferior vena cava vessels. These vessels function to drain blood containing carbon dioxide from the lower part of the body to the heart.

Lying on your left side during pregnancy can also reduce the burden on your stomach. If the inferior vena cava is free from pressure, blood will flow more smoothly toward the heart. The accumulated fluid decreases and the fingers no longer swell.