What causes edema in the hands and feet of pregnant women?

First, let me talk about the situation that occurs during pregnancy, which is swelling of the hands and feet. In the end, it may even be so serious that you can't make a fist normally. What causes edema in the hands and feet of pregnant women? I later consulted some professional doctors, so I have a better understanding of this aspect. Therefore, I would like to share my experience with all pregnant sisters so that you can know why such edema occurs.

Many pregnant women will experience edema during pregnancy, especially in their hands and feet, which are very swollen. So why do pregnant women's hands and feet become swollen? If one day you find that your ankles, calves, arms or face are getting more and more swollen, and when you press down on the swollen area with your fingers, the skin will obviously sink after pressing, and will not recover quickly, this means that you are experiencing pregnancy edema. There are many reasons for edema. The pregnant uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, which obstructs venous blood return; increased hormone secretion of the placenta and aldosterone secreted by the adrenal glands cause sodium and water retention in the body; water accumulates in the body and urine volume decreases accordingly; the mother has severe anemia and low plasma protein, and water seeps from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue spaces, etc. But don't worry, after you give birth to your baby, the retained water in your body will gradually be discharged, and your edema will disappear.

Increased blood volume After pregnancy, the pregnant woman's blood volume will continue to increase with the increase of gestational weeks, reaching its peak at 32 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, an increase of about 35% compared to before pregnancy, an average increase of 1500 ml.

Changes in vascular permeability As the circulating blood volume increases, the amount of blood pumped by the heart will increase. At the same time, the number of capillary beds throughout the body increases and their diameter becomes thicker, resulting in more (an average increase of 25%) fluid "passing through" the capillary walls into the tissue spaces.

Increased venous pressure in the lower extremities: After pregnancy, a large amount of blood flows from the uterus where the fetus "lives" to the inferior vena cava, which can cause increased pressure in the inferior vena cava.

What causes edema in the hands and feet of pregnant women? Since the speed of various functions of pregnant women is reduced, the speed at which the water absorbed by your body is excreted will slow down, and the water retained in your body is the first factor causing edema in your hands and feet. Prepare for a healthy pregnancy now!