Tips To Cure Swollen Feet During Pregnancy

You need to be cautious about your behaviors and lifestyle when pregnant. Specific physical changes will happen in your body, such as swelling, which is an annoying but typical aspect of pregnancy. When fluid produces in some areas of your body like legs, feet, ankles, face, and hands, it's known as edema.

Although foot swelling might be unpleasant and inconvenient, it generally poses no risk to you or your unborn child. Moreover, read this article to find out what triggers it, how to get relief, and recognize when foot swelling requires medical attention.

Why Swelling Occurs During Pregnancy?

Multiple reasons might cause your feet and body to swell during pregnancy, but the primary reason is a standard physiological transformation that happens when having a baby. 

During pregnancy, your body creates 50 percent additional blood and other fluids to fulfill the needs of your growing infant. Also, Your blood volume rapidly rises as your pregnancy advances and puts pressure on the veins, due to which swelling can generate in your face, hands, feet, and legs. 

Another critical question is at what time swelling can appear during pregnancy? So the answer is swelling could arise at any time, but it most commonly emerges during the 5th month and slowly expands as you reach the third trimester. Some other factors that may contribute to swelling feet are:

• Hot climate, specifically when you’re physically active
• Exhaustion
• Standing for longer periods
• Having high-sodium meals
• Specific lifestyle factors
• Specific medical conditions
• Wearing tight-fitting shoes

Essential Tips to Cure Swelling in Feets

Have Increased Potassium in Meals 

Not obtaining sufficient potassium might also cause swelling to be harmful. It is because potassium enables your body to balance the number of fluids it carries. 

Your doctor can prescribe prenatal vitamins that should contain extra potassium for you, but you should also eat valuable sources of potassium. Some foods that are intrinsically rich in potassium comprise:

• Sweet potatoes and potatoes along with the skin 
• Bananas 
• Beans
• Spinach 
• Specific fruit juices like prune, orange, pomegranate, passionfruit, carrot
• Yogurt 
• Salmon
• Beets 
• Lentils 

Restrict Caffeine Intake

Having infrequent caffeine during pregnancy isn’t dangerous, but consuming too much caffeine isn’t suitable for your baby. It can even cause swelling more sinister. Caffeine is a diuretic that provokes you to urinate more and makes your body believe it is required to hold on to fluid.

Instead, you can try to have a decaf coffee with milk or herbal tea like peppermint to gain energy.

Avoid Eating High Sodium 

Restricting sodium or salt intake is one of the best methods to decline swelling while pregnant. Salt contributes to your body holding on to excess water. Hence, avoid processed foods since they contain a high amount of sodium. Also, avoid adding extra table salt to your meals.

You can employ spicy herbs such as rosemary, oregano, and thyme to add taste to your recipes without using sodium.

Drink Plenty of Water

Even though it seems unusual, drinking extra water to reduce swelling is effective. Your body will try to compensate for any dehydration it perceives by retaining even more fluid. To maintain your kidneys flushing out the nasty things and your body healthily hydrated, try drinking at least 10 glasses of water daily.

Do Not Stand For Longer Time

Since resting all the time isn’t good for your blood circulation, standing for a long time might also prove harmful to your pregnant body. Thus, sit, relax, and lay down whenever possible by elevating your feet. Sometimes turn each foot at the ankle to gently bend and stretch your muscles.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

Wearing tight clothes, particularly around your wrists, abdomen, and ankles, can aggravate swelling. Essentially, it prevents blood from moving through the body as quickly as possible. Don't wear skin-tight elastic bands. 

Frilly clothes or sweaters with joggers in the winter and long maternal outfits in the summer can be adorable and cozy.

Take Walks

You can try to go for a short walk, even a 5 or 10-minute daily. It will enhance your circulation and reduce swelling. It could also be a suitable interval in your day and a fantastic way to get pregnancy-safe activity.

Wear Relaxing Shoes

Avoid wearing any kind of heels, either medium or high, during late pregnancy. Wearing comfortable flats and shoes will assist you in easing foot swelling and controlling hip and back issues.

Walk or Stand in a Pool

Although some study shows the usefulness of water pressure on swollen feet, so simply walking or standing in the swimming pool is considered to condense leg tissues. It might give at least temporary comfort from swelling.

Obtain a Massage

You can ask your partner or any family member to give a massage on your swollen feet. Massage aids in distributing the fluids that grow to gather in your feet and decreasing swelling.

Getting a massage with some essential oil will make you feel more relaxed. Additionally, if you don’t want help from your home, you can contact multiple massage studios that provide specialized pregnancy massages. 

Sleep on Left Side

Try to sleep on your left side as much as possible since it improves your blood flow and lowers swelling. The superior vena cava, a sizable blood artery that transfers blood to the heart, is relieved of pressure when lying on your left side.

When Should you Consult a Doctor for Pregnancy Swelling

Mild foot swelling during pregnancy is standard. Regardless, sudden and painful swelling, particularly in just one leg, might symbolize a blood clot or any other severe condition.

Preeclampsia is a severe disorder that impacts women with chronic ailments late in pregnancy. Therefore, ensure to talk with your doctor instantly if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Hurried swelling on the hands, feet, or face
• Hurtful headaches
• Vision issues, i.e., seeing blurriness or blinking lights
• Intense pain straight below the ribs
• Impulsive shortness of breath
• Vomiting

Most women experience swelling during pregnancy regularly. Make every effort to decrease the effects on your body, and get help from a doctor if things worsen.

Conclusion 

Swollen feet are a typical side effect of pregnancy, but you can control it with the easy tricks mentioned above. We hope the tips in this guide will make your pregnancy period comfortable. Leave your thoughts about this article; the Antenate family will love to hear your views. 

Moreover, if you want to know more about pregnancy recommendations like swelling feet, nausea, labor, or anything bothering you, then contact our Gynecologist and Fertility Proficient, Dr. Shesha Sinha, and get immediate medical assistance.