What to do if your hands and feet are swollen during late pregnancy

The happiest moment in every woman’s life is when she is pregnant, but in fact every woman knows in her heart that although pregnancy is happy, only she knows the discomfort she has to endure during pregnancy. As the mother's weight increases in the later stages of pregnancy, the pressure on various parts of the body increases. At this time, swelling of the hands and feet will occur, which will cause a feeling of swelling to the pregnant mother every day. What should I do if my hands and feet are severely swollen in the late pregnancy?

What causes swollen hands and feet during late pregnancy?

1. After pregnancy, blood volume begins to increase gradually from the 6th week, reaches a peak at the 34th week, and remains at this level until two weeks after delivery, when it returns to the pre-pregnancy level. Blood volume can increase by about 40% compared to the non-pregnant period, so as blood volume increases, interstitial fluid will also increase.

2. Because the increase in plasma is greater than the increase in blood cells when blood increases, the blood components will be relatively diluted and the relative concentration of plasma albumin will be lower than that in the non-pregnant period. Plasma albumin is the main component that maintains plasma osmotic pressure. Plasma osmolality is lower during pregnancy than during non-pregnancy. This makes it easy for water in the blood to penetrate into the interstitial fluid, causing lower limb edema.

3. After pregnancy, the uterus enlarges, which increases the pressure in the pelvis, thereby affecting the venous blood flow in the lower limbs. This is also one of the important reasons for lower limb edema. If the swelling during pregnancy is relieved after rest or sleep, it is physiological and there is no need to worry.

How to deal with edema in pregnant women:

1. Rest. People who work in jobs that require them to stand or sit for long periods of time will have more severe edema. It is best for expectant mothers to rest for 10 to 15 minutes after every hour of work, change their posture and move their legs.

2. Raise your legs. Raising your legs for 15 to 20 minutes before going to bed (or during lunch break) can accelerate blood return and reduce venous pressure. It can not only relieve edema during pregnancy, but also prevent the occurrence of diseases such as varicose veins in the lower limbs.

3. If your abdomen feels like it is falling or swelling, you can buy a belly support belt to gently support it to relieve the pressure.

4. Eat low-salt meals. After pregnancy, the body's ability to regulate salt and water decreases, so in daily life, you should try to control your salt intake and keep the daily intake below 6g.

5. Sleep on your left side. Lying on your left side when sleeping can avoid compression on the veins in your lower limbs, reduce resistance to blood return, and also reduce pressure on the heart.