Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Dealing with swelling
• Method 2 of 3: Changing your lifestyle
• Method 3 of 3: Know when to see a doctor
• Warnings

It is normal to have swelling during pregnancy. Because your body expands and has to adapt, more blood and fluids are produced. Water retention helps open up the pelvic tissue and your joints, which in turn aids in labor. As a pregnant woman you can experience swelling of the face, legs, feet, ankles and hands. This is also referred to as edema. There are many ways you can control and reduce swelling during pregnancy.

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Method 1 of 3: Dealing with swelling

1. Wear compression stockings and comfortable shoes. Because the feet and ankles often swell, you must take good care of your feet during your pregnancy. Choose the right shoes and ask your doctor about compression stockings.
   • Your doctor may recommend a brand of tight compression stockings to wear during the day. Such stockings can help to reduce swelling and support your legs during your pregnancy.
   • Also be careful about what kind of shoes you wear. Tight or high-heeled shoes can reduce blood flow to the feet, making swelling and pain worse. Stick to comfortable, loose, flat-soled shoes and sneakers.
2. Use cold compresses. Keeping a cold compress on the swollen areas can help reduce swelling and soothe the pain. You can use a cold washcloth or a bag of ice wrapped in a paper towel, or buy an ice pack from the supermarket. Remember, you should never put store-bought ice and ice packs on your skin like that. Make sure to wrap the ice or ice pack in a cloth or paper towel before use.
3. Rest your feet. Resting your feet during pregnancy can also reduce pain and swelling. Make sure you take the strain off your feet and know how to rest your legs after a long day.
   • Try not to stand for too long at a time. If you have a job that involves standing for long periods of time, talk to your boss and ask if any adjustments can be made during your pregnancy.
   • When you get a chance to sit, put your feet up and occasionally roll your ankles back and forth. If possible, lie down with your feet up.
4. Stand or walk in a pool. Standing or walking in a shallow pool can help compress the tissues in your legs and ankles. In some women this seems to reduce pain and swelling. If you don't have a pool, consider buying a plastic kiddie pool from the store and filling it with cold water.

Method 2 of 3: Changing your lifestyle

1. Sleep on your side. Shifting the weight to your side while sleeping can help. This can reduce the symptoms of your swelling. The lower vena cava is a large vein that aids in circulation throughout the body. Sleeping on your side puts less pressure on this vein. This can help stimulate circulation and prevent swelling. It may also help to raise your legs slightly while sleeping.
2. Keep your intake of salt and caffeine as low as possible. Salt and caffeine can cause swelling during your pregnancy. They can also cause other health problems such as high blood pressure that can negatively affect your pregnancy
   • Make sure you get as little salt as possible. You can do this fairly easily by avoiding processed foods and not adding extra table salt to your meal. Salt can make you retain water and raise your blood pressure. Higher blood pressure during pregnancy can cause a number of health problems for you and your baby.
   • The effect of caffeine on pregnancy is not yet fully understood because many studies have not produced clear evidence or conflicting results. However, pregnant women are advised not to consume more than 200 mg of caffeine daily. This equals 350 ml of coffee. Know that tea, chocolate, and some over-the-counter medicines also contain caffeine. Always check the ingredients on the packaging to see if a product contains caffeine. However, if you are experiencing swelling, it might be a good idea to cut down on your caffeine and see if it helps.
3. Drinking water. Drinking water can reduce fluid retention, which can have a positive effect on reducing your swelling. If you are pregnant, it is recommended to drink 2.3 liters of water every day. This can help reduce swelling.
4. Take precautions when you travel. Being in a car or airplane for too long can cause discomfort and swelling, even if you have not are pregnant. The effects are stronger during pregnancy. Try to take frequent breaks when traveling and pregnant so that you can get up and walk around every now and then.
5. Sport. Try to stay physically active during your pregnancy to reduce swelling and have a healthy pregnancy. Ask your doctor which sports and exercises are safe for you and your baby.
   • Leg exercises are especially important to reduce swelling. Taking walks during pregnancy is usually a healthy, safe form of exercise that will not adversely affect most pregnant women.
   • Discuss other activities you plan to do with your doctor. It may be okay to do light Pilates, yoga and aerobic exercises during certain stages of your pregnancy, depending on your fitness level, your overall health, and the course of your pregnancy.
6. Make sure you stay cool. Warm weather can cause more swelling during your pregnancy because the heat causes you to dry out faster and retain more moisture. When the weather is warm, make sure you can move to an air-conditioned place, especially if you are pregnant during the summer months. Stay indoors if it gets too hot or go to the pool or beach.

Method 3 of 3: Know when to see a doctor

1. Tell your doctor about the swelling. Swelling is not normally a medical problem while you are pregnant, but your doctor will need to monitor changes. Tell your doctor during a follow-up visit if you have any unusual swelling. Even if the swelling is not a cause for concern, your doctor can advise you on how to deal with it better.
2. Recognize the signs of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a medical condition in which blood pressure rises during pregnancy. This is a serious medical problem that can affect the liver, kidneys and placenta. The swellings may indicate pre-eclampsia. Make an appointment with your doctor if the swelling is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
   • Swelling in the abdominal area
   • Places that suddenly swell sharply
   • Headache that won't go away
   • Problems with your vision
   • Swollen hands and face
3. Get immediate medical attention if necessary. In some cases, the swelling can become an emergency. They can indicate a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of your pregnancy.Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
   • You suffer from shortness of breath.
   • You have chest pain.
   • You have pre-existing heart or kidney disease and the swelling suddenly gets worse.
   • A swollen foot or leg feels warm.
   • The swelling suddenly gets worse.

Warnings

• In many women, the ankles and lower legs swell, but never assume that swelling on the face or hands is normal without discussing these issues with your doctor. These are common symptoms of pre-eclampsia.