Natural Ways to Control Severity of Swelling During Pregnancy

How to Control Severity of Swelling During Pregnancy

Swelling during pregnancy is common, and more than half of the pregnant females experience it. Mostly during pregnancy swelling is seen around the ankles during the last months but fingers, lower back, and face may also be swollen. It may be a sign of anemia or gestation hypertension, and so you need to be cautious. Also, sever swelling may make your skin tender and leg painfully.

What are the Causes of Swelling During Pregnancy

When your body starts holding fluid more than usual it leads to swelling or edema. The pressure in the big veins of your legs increases. In pregnant females, this problem is added up by the pressure on the big vein of groins from your growing baby. Summers and tiredness make swelling worse.

You need to immediately call midwife or doctor if:

Swelling moves to your calf. When it is pressed it leaves an indentation.

There is sudden and severe swelling of your face, feet, and legs. If this hits during last trimester, it may be a sign of gestation hypertension and preeclampsia.

If you one leg is swollen. This condition becomes more particularly if your calf is tender lumpy and red as it may be a symptom of thrombosis.

Swelling of wrist and hands may indicate that you have developed carpal tunnel syndrome.

How can you Prevent Swelling During Pregnancy

Stopping your body part to swell up during pregnancy is not in your hands. But yes you can to some extent control its severity by changes in your diet and eating habits.

Home Remedies or Natural Ways to Prevent Swelling During Pregnancy

Eat a balanced diet-

Putting healthy weight in the pregnancy is very important to make sure your diet contains 60-75 g of proteins. Food sources rich in protein are fish, meat poultry, pulses, fish, and beans. Add food sources rich in protein with each of your meal.

Consume at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Opt for foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, melons, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, strawberry, broccoli, and green and red bell pepper. Add, foods rich in vitamin E such as sweetcorn, cashews and almonds, wheat germ, sunflower seeds and vegetable oil to your daily diet regimen.

Salt makes your body to hold more fluid so avoid it. Also, reduce the intake of sugar and fat. Cut out highly processed and pre-packed food and caffeinated drinks.

Drink lots of water-

Make sure to drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated.

Leg elevation-

Rest and with the help of pillows keep your legs elevated above your hips. Do not sit by crossing your legs as it restricts the flow of blood. Sit down whenever possible. Do not stand for extended periods. If you need to stand, keep moving your weight from one foot to other as this will increase the flow of blood.

Exercise-

Try a simple exercise that reduces the ankle swelling such as bending and stretching your foot 30 times. Another exercise is to circle your foot one way for 30 seconds and another way for other 30 seconds. Do the exercise under the guidance of your doctor or physical therapist.

Cabbage-

Wrap white or green cabbage on swollen parts of your feet and legs. Keep it until they are wet and then replace with fresh leaves. Repeat this until the pain subsides.

Herbal tea-

Taking herbal tea in moderation during pregnancy prevents retention of fluid but make sure you do not have a gallbladder condition.

You may also find reflexopathy or osteopathy useful but do meet a profession for it and that too after consulting your gynecologist.