Hand and Foot Swelling During Pregnancy

In the later stages of pregnancy, especially starting from the 6th month, the expectant mother experiences swelling in her wrists and ankles. These swellings can sometimes cause a lot of complaints for the expectant mother. So much so that the expectant mother can sometimes have difficulty even walking due to the swelling. The pain coefficient of the swellings may also increase due to standing for a long time. Especially in the summer months, edema formation accelerates due to the hot weather. In some women, swelling in their hands and feet can also occur in their face and eyelids.

Who is most likely to experience swelling in hands and feet during pregnancy?

Swelling in the hands and ankles during pregnancy is more common in working women. Women who work due to standing for long periods of time are especially likely to complain of swelling in their ankles. Expectant mothers who gain weight rapidly during pregnancy are also more at risk of swelling in their hands and feet. Expectant mothers who are pregnant with twins and who eat irregularly during pregnancy are also among the groups that face this risk more.

Why do swelling and edema occur during pregnancy?

With each passing week of pregnancy, the amount of fluid between cells increases. Due to this increase in fluid in the cells, the tissues become more swollen. This situation causes edema after a while. The ankles, which are especially affected by the pressure of the uterus and the slowdown in circulation, are the most common places where this edema is seen. This edema is especially seen more frequently in working mothers. The mother-to-be should rest after coming home. If she rests, both the pain in her foot will decrease and the edema will be relieved.

Another important cause of edema is the irregular and inadequate nutrition of the expectant mother during pregnancy . Edema is more common in expectant mothers who do not consume enough protein. Edema caused by protein deficiency is mostly seen on the face and around the eyelids. If the expectant mother includes foods with high protein and calcium values such as milk, red meat, legumes in her diet in such a situation, her edema will decrease.

What can be done to reduce swelling in hands and feet?

Pregnant women who work should be careful not to stand for long periods of time. In situations that require standing for long periods of time, expectant mothers should give themselves a 15-minute sitting or resting break. Also, working mothers in particular should not wear tight pants or underwear.

It is necessary to prefer blouses and loose trousers that will make them comfortable. It is also very important for the expectant mother to rest her feet and herself when she goes home in the evening. It is especially recommended to rest her feet by lifting them up. The swelling in the feet of pregnant women who rest will go away after a while. Otherwise, the swelling in the feet will not decrease.

Expectant mothers should definitely do the pregnancy exercises prescribed by their doctor regularly to minimize the risk of swelling in their feet and hands. These exercises should be done during the cool hours of the day, not the hot hours. Expectant mothers should not go outside, especially in the summer months when the sun is at its peak.

The expectant mother should also pay close attention to her diet. She should avoid salt and should not consume too much salt. She should definitely stay away from acidic drinks. It is also important to consume protein foods in sufficient amounts. It will also be beneficial to follow the nutrition list recommended by your doctor.

Drinking plenty of water is also very important. The perception that drinking water increases swelling is completely wrong. Drink plenty of water. It is very important for the expectant mother to consume at least 3 liters of fluid a day. Drinking water also reduces swelling.