Why do my legs swell during pregnancy?

Even people who have never been pregnant should know that many women will experience swollen feet during pregnancy, and some people have even seen pictures of women with swollen feet. This kind of edema is very scary. Some women believe that swollen feet during pregnancy is a very normal thing, so they don’t pay too much attention to the causes of swollen feet. Pregnant women should understand the causes of their heavier weight, so what is the reason for swollen feet during pregnancy?

1. After pregnancy, the blood volume of pregnant women begins to gradually increase from the 6th week of pregnancy, reaches a peak at 34 weeks, 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.

The above reasons for swelling are normal phenomena. However, if the edema is obvious and does not improve, further examination should be conducted to determine if there are other pregnancy complications, and timely diagnosis and treatment should be provided.

In fact, edema during pregnancy is a normal phenomenon, and dealing with this annoying pregnancy edema is actually very simple. Pregnant mothers can improve the condition of leg swelling through their lifestyle habits and enjoy beautiful legs after pregnancy.

Physiological edema during pregnancy will not have much impact on pregnant women. They will just feel that their hands and feet have become thicker, and shoes are difficult to wear. Sometimes it may manifest as a loose fist, or depression when pressing the back of the hand or calf. Normal edema during pregnancy will disappear after rest, but in some cases the edema will not disappear for a long time, so it is necessary to consider whether it is pathological edema.

Therefore, expectant mothers should carefully observe their edema conditions and seek medical attention promptly if pathological edema occurs. At the same time, we should also pay attention to our daily eating habits and lifestyle.