"Mom, I'm pregnant"
These are not the words a mom with a teenage daughter wants to hear.
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29 February 2008
Ease swelling feet
When you're pregnant you'll eventually start to wonder why your feet are suddenly getting larger... here's what to do about it.
Swelling – or oedema – results from the extra blood you've acquired during your pregnancy. Your growing uterus puts pressure on your pelvic veins and your vena cava (a large vein on the right side of your body that receives blood from your lower limbs). That slows down and causes blood to pool. Pressure from the trapped blood forces water into the tissues of your feet and ankles. Wear constrictive clothing, especially around the waist.
Stand in one place too long. Walking is preferable to standing.
Eliminate all salt from your diet. It's true that excess salt intake can aggravate swelling, but this is rarely the reason for the swelling. Furthermore, salt contains traces of iodine, an element essential for the health of the foetus, and extreme salt restriction can be dangerous to your unborn baby. Salt intake reduction is advisable, jut not complete restriction.
Take any medication, herb, vitamin or other natural remedy with diuretic properties. There are some powerful, "natural" diuretics available, and they can cause loss of precious bodily minerals that could endanger the foetus. Always check with your caregiver. Contact your doctor immediately if your swelling seems to meet any of the criteria above.
Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. Drinking lots of water can flush some extra salt out of your body and actually help to reduce swelling.
Try to lie on your left side, for 30-60 minutes daily, either at the end of the workday, or during lunch if possible. Alternatively you can lie on your back, reclining at about 45 degrees, and elevate the legs by placing a small pillow under them.
Place a soft object such as a rolled up towel or blanket under your mattress at the foot of your bed. This will keep the legs elevated while sleeping.
Wear comfortable soft shoes with low heels, and possibly invest in one pair of shoes a half size larger than normal.
Try to engage in mild frequent exercise such as walking or swimming two to three times per week. If outdoors, try to exercise early in the morning when it's cool.
Remove your rings if your fingers seem to be tight and swollen.
That water is fluid that would normally be in your body – it's simply displaced. But pregnant women sometimes also retain excess water, which adds to the swelling. Oedema is quite common and normal. However, if you have severe swelling in your hands and face, call your doctor or midwife: it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, which is a serious condition.
How to do deal with it
Don't
Do
Previously published in Your Pregnancy magazine, Subscribe now and save
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Article: from Your Pregnancy magazine
Image: Ablestock
Image: Ablestock
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