What to do if your legs and feet are swollen when you are eight months pregnant

Pregnant mothers have a very hard time. Although they have to prevent the possibility of miscarriage in the first three months, they dare not move around, even when coughing. After the dangerous period of three months, the belly begins to slowly grow. Although there is no pregnancy reaction, the legs and feet will become red and swollen when the pregnancy is seven or eight months. This is the case of edema during pregnancy. You need to look at this common sense.

Common knowledge about edema in pregnant women

Edema caused by different reasons manifests differently. Usually, edema occurs in the lowest part of the human body, the feet and ankles. It subsides slightly after rest, but may gradually worsen and spread upward. The location of edema may change with changes in body position. It is obvious in the lumbar sacral area and vulva in semi-sitting or lying positions. Severe cases can cause systemic edema. Some are pitting edema, while others have swollen and translucent skin with no depression when pressed. When standing, edema is mostly obvious in the lower part of the body.

Understanding Normal and Abnormal Edema

80% of pregnant women will experience edema during the 8th to 9th month of pregnancy. Some pregnant women will experience it earlier. In mild cases, the condition is limited to the calves, first to the ankles, and then slowly spreads upwards. In severe cases, it can cause swelling of the thighs, abdominal wall or the entire body, and even ascites and pleural effusion. In most cases, edema will subside on its own after resting or raising the lower limbs, and no special treatment is needed. However, if the abdominal wall is also swollen, or the swelling does not subside after proper rest, you should go to the hospital to check the cause of the edema. Do not be careless.

Why does physiological edema occur?

Most mild edema during pregnancy is physiological edema, which is mainly caused by the enlargement of the uterus with the increase of gestational age, which compresses the blood vessels in the lower limbs and affects the venous return in the lower limbs. In addition, changes in endocrine function, increased secretion of estrogen and aldosterone, and greater retention of water and sodium in the body are also causes of edema.

During pregnancy, the blood is diluted and the blood volume increases, but the increase in red blood cells is not as great as that in plasma. The blood becomes relatively thinner, but the plasma protein does not increase. The plasma colloidal osmotic pressure decreases, and the movement of water into the tissue spaces can also cause edema.

Every pregnant woman will experience edema to varying degrees. Especially when standing for long periods of time or maintaining the same posture, edema is more likely to occur. This type of physiological edema is mostly limited to swelling of the legs. You just need to rest in bed properly and raise your legs with a pillow or cushion, and the swelling will naturally subside.

Beware of pathological edema

Severe edema is mostly caused by pregnancy complications in pregnant women, or internal and external diseases, such as heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease or malnutrition caused by other reasons.

After pregnancy, severe edema is generally pathological and requires treatment to improve. Pregnant women should observe themselves regularly at home. If the edema exceeds the knee joint, they should go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible to find out the cause and take appropriate measures.

Prevent edema after childbirth

New mothers after childbirth can usually excrete excess water from their bodies through urinating and sweating a lot. Usually the drainage rate is proportional to the severity of edema. However, if postpartum edema persists, it should be considered whether it is a pathological condition.

Tips for getting rid of edema during pregnancy

Adjust the rhythm of work and daily life

Make sure you get enough rest and sleep, and avoid being too stressed or overworked. It is best to rest for half an hour after each meal, two hours in the afternoon, and sleep 9 to 10 hours every night. If there is no condition to lie down and rest at the workplace, you can raise your legs and place them on a chair after lunch, taking a semi-sitting position.

Don't stand or sit for long periods of time

In daily life, you can take the following methods to reduce edema. Pregnant women who sit for long hours can put a low stool under their feet. You can walk around appropriately during work breaks to increase blood flow to your lower limbs.

When lying down to rest, try to lie on your back or on your left side. When sitting normally, don't cross your legs. Stretch your legs frequently, move your heels and toes, rotate your ankle joints, and stretch your calf muscles.