Causes of edema in pregnant women
Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid inbody. Expectant mothers most often suffer from swelling of the legs, less often - arms, face or even the whole body. This does not always indicate pathology. Often, swelling is caused by excess accumulation of sodium in the body. To eliminate this, it is enough to remove salty dishes from the menu and drink diuretic teas, which the doctor will prescribe.Knowing what to do if the legs swell during pregnancy, you can alleviate your condition. Photo: Getty The reasons why your legs may swell:
- strong pressure of the enlarged uterus on blood vessels and congestion of venous blood;
- varicosity;
- chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- gestosis (late toxicosis).
Future mothers often do not know what to do ifconstantly swelling legs during pregnancy. Stagnation of blood does not pose a serious threat to the life of the future mother. But in cases of gestosis, varicosity and heart disease, you need to urgently consult a doctor. Very dangerous hidden swelling, which manifests itself in an excessively fast weight gain. If the condition is serious, you may have to lie down in a hospital and receive medical treatment.
What if the legs become swollen during pregnancy?
The first sign that something is accumulating in the bodyfluid, are difficulties with fastening shoes. This often happens in the evening. In this case, pressing on the skin leaves a dent that lasts for several minutes. Methods of combating edema include the following methods:
During the day, your legs need to rest.You can lie down on the couch and lift your legs from time to time. A quarter of an hour of such rest, and the unpleasant sensations in your legs will disappear. The expectant mother needs to carefully monitor herself. It is better to be on the safe side than to regret later that you did not manage to prevent trouble in time. Therefore, if you have swelling, you must definitely inform your doctor about it. Only he will be able to determine whether it is dangerous and advise what to do.