Remember I wrote about one of my friends who started her pregnancy journey a few months ago. Anyway, it has really been a journey, and even if I promised to keep updated on the process, I know fully well that my entire blog cannot just be about that.
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Recently, she noticed her feet had started to swell, one which was not part of anything she felt before. Worried, she called her Mum who has undoubtedly been a good guide all through this period, she gave us a few tips on what could be done to relieve the swelling and of course, after following those procedures my friend felt better. I decided to go deeper and learn more for myself you know, we never can tell what happens any moment from now. (smiles)
The first thing I learned about this change in the body for pregnant women, is that it is absolutely normal. Your shoes may not fit in quite alright anymore and it does not mean you are imagining things or there is a problem. The additional fluid and blood the body creates to support healthy fetal growth and slow down the circulation of blood could cause the blood to accumulate in the lower part of the body therefore causing swelling.
During pregnancy as well, a hormone called relaxin is produced more, this hormone helps the joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles to relax very well. It helps the pelvis to become more open to childbirth, and it also loosens the tendons and the ligaments in your feet.
You probably have only noticed the swelling, but maybe not the flattening and lengthening, as the extra weight and hormones could also trigger that. Anyways, while the leg and ankle swelling would most likely decrease a week or two after the baby is born, the feet, on the other hand, may not just be the same again.
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Now that we understand it could be just normal, there are things we can do to help relieve the swelling, some of these things have worked for my friend, and although it comes back after some time, it is often a great relief for the main time.
Pregnant women with swollen feet are advised to;
- Try to rest with their feet up as much as they can.
- Consume lots of water.
- Avoid standing for a long time.
- Regular walks and foot exercises are also helpful.
- Put on comfortable shoes and socks.
- Sleep on your left side.
- Get your feet wet with room temperature water not ice cold.
- Get as much rest as possible.
- Reduce salt intake.
- Increase potassium intake.
- A good massage helps.
While it is almost normal to have swollen feet, some cases may not be normal. Especially a case of sudden or severe swelling in the face, hands, and feet, could be a symptom of PREECLAMPSIA, and with this happening, the pregnant woman may have to remain hospitalized until birth as childbirth is the only way to treat it. If it is left untreated, there could be seizures, kidney or liver damage, and in rare occasions, even death.
Preeclampsia does not only happen during pregnancy but also during postpartum. It can progress very fast causing a very high pressure and organ issues in pregnant women. If the pregnancy has gotten to 37 weeks or more, it may be recommended that the baby be delivered early.
If one leg is more swollen than the other, it could suggest a problem with one of your veins, like DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS, a visit to the hospital is urgently required. Blood clots are easier during pregnancy, and this is to prevent excessive loss of blood during labor and birth. A growing fetus also places a higher pressure on the legs, reducing circulation. Becoming less mobile during and after pregnancy could lead to a reduced flow of blood in the legs.
The moment a swollen feet becomes accompanied with; dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, swelling that refuses to go down, a sudden severe headache, abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing.
Conclusion.
Swelling of the feet is one of the features of later pregnancy phases, as the body would normally store more water. Simple home remedies could elevate the symptoms felt, but when it comes to other associated increased symptoms, medical help should be sought almost immediately.
References.
https://utswmed.org/medblog/swollen-feet-during-pregnancy/
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/swollen-ankles-feet-and-fingers/
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/swelling-during-pregnancy
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/swollen-feet-during-pregnancy#takeaway
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/swollen-feet-pregnancy#summary
Hi, I am Tobi a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. Want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my youtube channel where you can listen and watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.