How much weight can edema cause during pregnancy?

For pregnant women, edema is almost unavoidable, starting at 28 weeks at the earliest and 32 weeks at the latest.

Will edema in pregnant women increase weight?

In fact, 90% of women will experience swollen hands and feet sooner or later during pregnancy. Many pregnant women gain weight on top of their original weight, and most of this is caused by edema! Some pregnant women even gain 5 kilograms in a week.

In fact, the weight change caused by edema in pregnant women is not that large, mostly around 5 to 7 pounds.

What is depressing is that the unlucky pregnant mothers even have swollen faces and around their eyes, which is really ugly. It is not just ugly, but it also affects their food, clothing, housing and transportation. They can't wear boots, can't stand steadily, and it itches. This is the reason why pregnant mothers are in so much pain!

Why does edema occur during pregnancy?

Increased blood flow

During pregnancy, the mother's blood flow begins to increase gradually from the 6th week, reaching a peak at 34 weeks. The blood flow increases by about 40% compared to the non-pregnant period, which increases the fluid in the interstitial tissues and is prone to edema.

Enlarged uterus

As the pregnancy progresses, the pregnant mother's uterus continues to expand, and the pressure in the pelvis increases, causing the blood flow in the lower limb veins to be affected and causing foot edema.

Endocrine changes

During pregnancy, the mother's body's growth hormone changes, estrogen and aldosterone increase, causing sodium and water retention in the body, resulting in decreased urination, thus causing edema.

What to do if you have edema during pregnancy

The edema of pregnant women will generally gradually improve one week after giving birth. Therefore, daily care during pregnancy is very important. As far as diet is concerned, there is no special food that can effectively improve edema. It is recommended to eat a balanced diet and try not to consume pickled foods, canned foods, and overly salty foods to prevent potassium ions from combining with water and accumulating excessively. As far as clothing is concerned, comfortable clothing is a must, and special attention should be paid to the care of the feet, because edema may cause slow sensation in the lower limbs and poor blood circulation. Once the feet are injured, the wound may not heal or even cause cellulitis. Therefore, it is recommended to wear lightweight canvas shoes, which have good wrapping and protection effects.

As far as sleep quality is concerned, you can soak your lower limbs in warm water before going to bed to promote blood circulation. You can sleep on your side with your legs slightly bent and crossed, with a pillow between your legs; or you can lie flat on your back with a pillow under your lower limbs to keep your lower limbs higher than your heart. If conditions permit, try to lie down and rest for 20 to 30 minutes at noon to relieve edema. In addition, you can also grasp the following principles: if you can lie down, you don’t have to sit; if you can sit, you don’t have to stand. Keep yourself in the best condition anytime and anywhere.