Why do some pregnant women suffer from edema? Does pregnancy have any effect on edema?

Edema during pregnancy is mostly a normal physiological phenomenon, especially in the third trimester, and will first appear in the ankles. Normal edema will gradually subside after delivery, but you should also pay attention to whether it is caused by some pathological reasons.

Why do some pregnant women suffer from edema?

1. The main cause of edema is the enlarged uterus, which compresses the veins and causes obstruction of venous return.

2. If pregnant mothers eat too much pickled food or consume too much salt, it is easy to cause sodium ions in the blood, causing edema in the body.

2. During pregnancy, the mother's weight increases too quickly, the legs have limited bearing capacity, and the body's weight is concentrated on the lower limbs, so the legs become swollen.

However, mild edema is very normal. Only when the pregnant mother feels that edema brings inconvenience or discomfort to her life, she should check whether it is physiological edema or pathological edema.

Physiological edema: After pregnancy, your own weight increases, and coupled with the weight of the fetus, the body burden is heavier. All the weight is on the lower limbs or feet, so the lower limbs or feet are most likely to have swelling problems.

After pregnancy, the mother's body fluid will increase by 6-8 liters, of which 4-6 liters are extracellular fluid, which is stored in the tissues and causes edema.

Pathological edema: If edema appears early, with obvious edema in the lower limbs or systemic edema, and does not subside after rest, it may be a symptom of hypertension, proteinuria, anemia, or hypertension and cardiovascular system.

Does pregnancy edema have any effect?

If edema occurs in these situations, please seek medical attention or consult a doctor in time to avoid harm to your body and fetus.

1. When the pregnant mother's face also starts to swell, especially when the swelling around the eyes is particularly obvious.

2. When areas that are not prone to swelling, such as the soles of the feet, ankles, fingers, and backs of the hands, also start to swell.

3. The pregnant mother observes her own feet and finds that the degree of edema in both feet is different, and the other foot is particularly obvious and painful.

4. Edema occurs suddenly and forms in a short period of time, and is particularly obvious at first glance.

How to avoid edema during pregnancy

1. Avoid fatigue

Pregnant mothers should avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time, avoid fatigue, and do not maintain a posture for a long time. They should change their body positions frequently to promote blood circulation.

When sitting, you can put a stool under your feet and put your body on the stool. Also, don't walk for too long.

2. Sleep on your left side

Every time you sleep, it is best for pregnant mothers to sleep on their left side. At the same time, you can put a pillow under your feet to raise your feet, which can speed up blood return.

3. Wear comfortable socks and shoes

Don't choose tight socks, and choose shoes that are the right size and comfortable. Also, be careful not to choose clothes that are too tight to avoid hindering the circulation of body fluids.

4. Exercise

Appropriate exercise can also eliminate edema, such as walking, swimming, etc., which is beneficial to the contraction of the calf muscles, allowing venous blood to return to the heart smoothly and reduce edema.

5. Don’t consume too much salt

Pregnant mothers with edema should not eat or eat less foods such as salted eggs, bacon, and pickled vegetables. These foods are high in salt, which will cause water and salt to exceed the kidneys' excretion capacity and be retained in the body, causing more edema.

6. Eat some anti-swelling foods

Foods such as red beans, onions, eggplants, celery, watermelon, winter melon, crucian carp, etc. can help the body excrete excess water and eliminate edema.