What causes swollen feet during pregnancy?

Every pregnant mother's weight will gradually increase during pregnancy, and the body's pressure on the lower limbs will also increase, which will inevitably cause swollen feet. Generally, swollen feet occur more often in the second half of pregnancy, so some pregnant mothers experience swollen feet at five months, which can't help but worry. I am worried that premature swelling of the feet may have an adverse effect on the baby in my belly. So what is the reason for swollen feet during the fifth month of pregnancy?

What is the reason for swollen feet in five months of pregnancy?

1. Increased blood volume After pregnancy, the blood volume of pregnant women will continue to increase with the increase of gestational weeks, reaching its peak at 32 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, an increase of about 35% compared to before pregnancy, an average increase of 1500 ml.

2. Changes in vascular permeability As the circulating blood volume increases, the amount of blood pumped by the heart will increase. At the same time, the number of capillary beds throughout the body increases and their diameter becomes thicker, resulting in more (an average increase of 25%) fluid "passing through" the capillary walls into the tissue spaces.

3. Increased venous pressure in the lower limbs. After pregnancy, a large amount of blood flows from the uterus where the fetus "lives" to the inferior vena cava, which will cause increased pressure in the inferior vena cava. In addition, after 20 weeks of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus will compress the pelvic veins and inferior vena cava, obstructing venous blood return, and further increasing venous pressure in the lower limbs.

Characteristics of normal leg and foot swelling during pregnancy:

1. "Pitting edema" may appear on both sides of the ankles, the dorsum of the foot and the front of the calf, that is, a depression appears at the place where the finger is pressed;

2. After resting for 6 to 8 hours, the swelling in the legs and feet will disappear.

How to deal with swollen feet during pregnancy:

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.