Edema during pregnancy is mostly a physiological phenomenon. The following seven points can help "reduce swelling"!

Author: Zou Liying, Chief Physician, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University

Reviewer: Teng Xiuxiang, Chief Physician, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University

Pregnancy is a happy thing, but the process of pregnancy is very difficult, because various discomforts may occur during pregnancy, which makes pregnant mothers suffer.

For example, edema during pregnancy, I think many pregnant mothers may have experienced it, some are very serious, some are relatively mild. Pregnant mothers with more serious edema during pregnancy will have particularly swollen calves and feet, especially in the third trimester. Some pregnant mothers will have edema in their lower limbs extending all the way to the abdomen.

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1. Why is edema prone to occur during pregnancy?

For pregnant women, in addition to their own metabolism, they also have to ensure placental circulation and meet the needs of the fetus, so the blood volume of pregnant women increases. Due to changes in hormone levels after pregnancy, water and sodium retention in pregnant women will occur. In addition, the enlarged uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, which blocks blood return to the lower limbs. The combined effect of multiple factors makes it easy for fluid in the pregnant woman's body to accumulate in the lower limbs, causing edema, especially for pregnant women who stand or sit for a long time. This is physiological edema caused by pregnancy.

Some edema is caused by certain diseases, which is called pathological edema. For example, pregnant mothers suffer from gestational hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease, these diseases affect the normal circulation of body fluids, and pregnant women will also have edema.

Not all pregnant women will experience edema during pregnancy, and not all of it is physiological edema. Some of it may be pathological edema, which reminds us to be alert to the occurrence of certain diseases.

2. How to distinguish between physiological edema and pathological edema during pregnancy?

Generally speaking, we can simply judge from the following aspects:

First, look at the gestational age. Generally speaking, physiological edema occurs in the middle and late stages of pregnancy, especially in the late stages of pregnancy, that is, after 28 weeks of pregnancy. Pathological edema may occur in the early stages of pregnancy. If your eyelids are swollen when you wake up in the morning, this is definitely not physiological edema.

Second, look at the nature of the edema. If there is a pit when you press on the edema, and it disappears after resting, this is mostly physiological edema. If you feel swelling everywhere, but there is no pit when you press, there is a possibility of pathological edema.

The third is to look at the location of edema. Physiological edema usually occurs in the lower limbs, usually limited to the feet and calves, and will not cause systemic edema. If the eyelids are also swollen, the whole body is swollen, or ascites occurs, it is definitely not physiological edema.

Fourth, see if the edema can be relieved after rest. If the edema is relieved after activity or resting for a night, but recurs the next day after standing or sitting for a long time, this is mostly physiological edema. Pathological edema usually does not relieve after rest.

Fifth, check whether there are other accompanying symptoms. Physiological edema is just swelling, without other problems. Pathological edema may cause problems such as high blood pressure.

It is sometimes difficult for pregnant women to identify the edema by themselves, and they need to seek help from a doctor. The doctor will perform a physical examination and auxiliary examinations to distinguish whether it is physiological edema or pathological edema.

Pathological edema is only one of the clinical manifestations of a disease. It is the disease itself that really harms the pregnant mother and the fetus. After it is clear that the edema is caused by a disease, the primary disease should be actively treated and controlled under the guidance of a professional doctor to avoid affecting the pregnant mother and the fetus.

Physiological edema means that the pregnant mother is in good condition in all aspects, except for swelling in the legs and feet. Generally speaking, it will not affect the baby's growth, development and health.

3. Does physiological edema during pregnancy require treatment?

Severe physiological edema also needs intervention. It can be alleviated by paying a little attention to daily life, such as through the following ways:

1. Get enough rest every day. Lying on your left side during rest can improve the compression of the inferior vena cava and the placental circulation. Edema will be reduced after blood circulation is restored.

2. Don’t sit or stand for a long time. Don’t stay in the same position all the time, as this will prevent the blood in your lower limbs from flowing back. So you should change your position every once in a while, such as walking around, which will help reduce edema.

3. Ensure proper exercise every day. Proper exercise is beneficial to muscle contraction, promotes blood circulation and reduces edema.

4. Raise your lower limbs when resting. When lying down or semi-sitting, raise your feet a little higher to facilitate blood circulation in the lower limbs. When the swelling is severe, it is also okay for family members to help massage the lower limbs appropriately, which can also promote blood circulation.

5. Wear elastic stockings. Because of the needs of the job, you need to sit or stand for a long time at work, which will cause edema over time. You can put on elastic stockings in the morning before getting up and taking them off after returning home. This is also a way to reduce edema.

6. Wear appropriate shoes, socks and pants. If the shoes do not fit well or are too small, they will restrict the feet, affect blood circulation and further aggravate edema. If the socks are not suitable and the socks are very tight, they will also hinder blood circulation. It is recommended to wear a larger shoe size during pregnancy, and wear loose cotton and breathable pants. The elastic bands on the top and the elastic bands on the trouser legs should not be too tight and should not leave marks. Appropriate shoes, socks and pants are also helpful in reducing edema.

7. Do not eat too salty food, and make sure to take in enough protein. Plasma albumin will decrease after pregnancy. Albumin can maintain the balance of blood colloidal osmotic pressure, so eating some high-quality protein, such as eggs, milk, etc., will also help reduce edema.

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If no lifestyle intervention is performed during pregnancy, physiological edema may worsen as the gestational age increases.

For the problem of physiological edema during pregnancy, it is best to prevent it in advance by getting enough rest, eating a low-salt diet, exercising appropriately, and not sitting or standing for long periods of time. In addition, you need to control your own weight and the weight of the fetus. Obesity and an oversized fetus will also increase the chance of edema.