Why legs swell during pregnancy. Treatment of edema of a pregnant woman not accompanied by proteinuria and arterial hypertension

Pregnancy is a condition that causes many metamorphoses in the female body. These changes are not always physiological, it happens that the expectant mother needs qualified medical help to normalize the condition. For example, if the ankles swell during pregnancy, this can be both the norm and a pathological deviation requiring intervention.

Causes of leg swelling during pregnancy

We will analyze two types of causes that cause swelling around the bone on the ankle during pregnancy:

Puffiness for natural reasons (physiological).
Pathological processes that cause swelling.

According to statistics, more than half of women suffer from edema during the period of gestation. In most cases, this is a normal condition that requires observation and attention to your well-being.

Natural causes

Massage improves fluid outflow

Natural puffiness can be caused by a number of reasons, all of them are associated with the processes occurring in the body of a woman preparing to become a mother. During this period, the body is rebuilt and makes reserves. The volumes of any fluid in the body of the expectant mother (blood, lymph, intercellular fluid) increase. This is necessary to prepare for the birth process and to form a specific structure of the pelvic floor area suitable for the birth of a baby.

The liquid supply is useful to a woman in the first days after the birth of crumbs to start the process of milk production.

The growing uterus and increasing weight by the third trimester begin to put pressure on organs and tissues located below. This makes it difficult for the outflow of fluid from the lower extremities upward, so most often the legs swell.

Such edema most often occurs after 22 weeks of pregnancy. It is characterized by a gradual, not sharp increase in the volume of swollen limbs and the weight of the pregnant woman.

The dynamics of stagnation depends on the time of day, season. The legs begin to swell in the evening or in extreme heat in the summer, with prolonged sitting or standing. After a long rest (night sleep), the tumor subsides.

The following areas often swell:

legs (feet, ankles);
hands (brushes)
face.

If swelling spreads higher and does not subside after rest, it is worth telling the gynecologist about this and conducting an examination. The reason for this may be serious pathological conditions of the pregnant woman.

Common reasons

Such a manifestation is possible under the influence of a number of reasons contributing to the development of edema in principle:

hereditary factor;
improper nutrition (excessive consumption of salt and salty foods);
lack of vitamins (especially B vitamins and folic acid);
decreased immunity;
neurosis, stress state.

These factors often provoke fluid retention in the body and prevent its outflow.

Pathological conditions

With gestosis, in addition to massage, an examination is needed

Quite dangerous conditions during the period of bearing a baby can be gestosis and preeclampsia, a blood clot.

Gestosis is a form of toxicosis in late pregnancy, it is characterized by an increase in blood pressure and severe swelling. It can be external and hidden, internal.

Gestosis provokes a malfunction of many organs and systems:

liver
kidney
nervous and circulatory systems.

Laboratory tests in this case show an excess of permissible protein standards in the urine.

If you do not take measures, preeclampsia may develop - a rather dangerous condition, fraught with spontaneous termination of pregnancy and in especially neglected cases, death.

It is characterized by a sharp and strong increase in blood pressure, headaches, cramps.

If one foot swells on the right or left, this may indicate the formation of a blood clot. This is a dangerous condition, which is characterized by swelling of the legs from the foot to the knee, lower leg. The skin in this place looks glossy, smooth. Touching the surface of the foot, the entire lower leg and thigh is painful.

These conditions of pregnant women require professional medical intervention and treatment in a hospital.

What should alert

With swelling on the legs, red spots may appear.

Sometimes it is difficult for a woman to determine the cause of swelling on her legs during pregnancy. In this case, you need to know exactly what the edema looks like for natural reasons and what features may indicate pathological changes in the body.

Natural processes can cause slight swelling in the ankle and foot, while the sole and knee area are not affected.

It is worthwhile to be careful if the legs are swollen so that the protruding bone above the heel is not visible, one leg is swollen, the swelling has developed suddenly, additional symptoms have appeared:

increase in body temperature;
reddish spots or streaks in the area of \u200b\u200bedema;
increased blood pressure;
severe edema in the third trimester.

All this in aggregate or individually is an occasion to immediately contact a gynecologist, do the tests recommended by him or go to hospital.

How to relieve natural swelling of the legs during pregnancy

In most cases, women suffer from natural edema around the bone on their ankles during pregnancy.

eating foods rich in the whole complex of vitamins and minerals;
daily diet should include protein foods;
reduction or refusal of the use of salt and all products containing it.

For those with slightly heavier legs, there is a swelling in the ankle area, doctors usually recommend the following:

Alternating activity and relaxation. Walking in the fresh air, small workouts, a full sleep are needed.
Change of poses during the day. If the work is sedentary, you need to take breaks and walk or stretch your legs, if the expectant mother works mainly while standing, then breaks with rest sitting or lying down are mandatory.
When sitting, you do not need to cross your legs and even your ankles.
During rest and sleep, it is better to put a pillow under the feet to facilitate the outflow of blood and fluid from swollen limbs.
To do warm-ups for the legs: rotation, stretching the socks, turning left, then right, up and down with the feet of both legs.
A massage of the feet and legs will be pleasant and beneficial.
Warm evening foot baths with lemon balm can help. They will not only remove unpleasant puffiness, but also relax, soothe.
It is necessary to wear comfortable shoes with low heels, preferably compression underwear (tights, stockings), which massages the skin and promotes the outflow of fluid.
Ventilate the room well at home or at work. It should not be stuffy, with high humidity.
Clothing should not be tight or squeezing the area of \u200b\u200bthe lower extremities, so as not to increase the pressure that prevents the outflow of fluid.
If the gynecologist has prescribed, you can drink special diuretic teas that contribute to the removal of excess fluid. This can be done only on the recommendation of a doctor and in no case do self-medication. The future mother has a double responsibility: for herself and for the baby who is yet to be born.

If the legs during pregnancy swell in the ankles for natural reasons, after childbirth in the vast majority of cases, the swelling goes away within a couple of weeks.

More than a third of pregnant women have edema, which can be localized on the face or hands, but most suffer from swelling of the legs. Women rarely take this problem seriously, perceiving it as a normal condition. However, this may indicate diseases that threaten the normal course of pregnancy, and sometimes the health of the mother and fetus. That is why it is necessary to be able to distinguish physiological edema of the legs during pregnancy from pathological.

Habitual shoes become narrow. It is not at all about the gained kilograms, because the feet are a part of the body that is rarely subject to the accumulation of fat. But the accumulation of fluid is quite capable of making small boots or shoes that were just right yesterday.
The appearance of long non-absorbable dents in the place of pressure. If you press on the shin, you can notice how the fossa from the finger is formed. In normal condition, it passes within a second. If the fossa remains for a long time, we are talking about edema. They can also be recognized by the way an impression is left of the sock gum, which does not pass for a long time.
Pale and stretched skin. Stretched under the action of accumulated fluid, the skin becomes thin and appears shiny.
Fast weight gain. Getting up again on the scales, the pregnant woman is surprised at the weight gained, while the diet is established.
The amount of fluid released is less than that consumed. If during pregnancy the prescribed liter and a half of water is drunk per day, and much less is released, this indicates a delay in it in the body. To make sure the assumptions are correct, it is enough to calculate the daily intake of fluids (which includes drinks, broths, gravy, etc.) and daily diuresis.

In most cases, edema can be treated, but for this it is necessary to identify the cause that caused them.

Causes of edema

The legs swell during pregnancy quite often, since it is they that have a large load. Edema, as a rule, causes a large amount of fluid accumulated in the tissues of the body. Often this condition is associated with physiological changes during pregnancy. In most cases, edema occurs after 28-30 weeks, it is during this period that the intensive development of the fetus occurs. An enlarged uterus presses on the large vena cava and pelvic veins, which disrupts the outflow of blood from the legs to the upper body and to the heart.

There are other reasons caused by lifestyle or external factors:

long movement;
uncomfortable shoes;
high temperatures;
being in a stuffy room;
malnutrition.

Nicotine is also able to provoke the formation of edema, because it has an extremely negative effect on blood vessels. Therefore, it is better to get rid of a bad habit as soon as a woman finds out about pregnancy.

Video: Obstetrician-gynecologist about the causes and prevention of edema during pregnancy

Hazardous conditions

If all factors are eliminated, but the pregnant woman continues to be bothered by excessive accumulation of fluid, it is worth visiting a doctor who will appoint an examination to check the operation of all organs and systems:

In most cases, swelling of the legs during pregnancy is caused by malfunctioning of the kidneys, experiencing a double load during this period: performing the previous functions, they are also responsible for the excretion of the vital products of the fetus.
Violation of the blood flow caused by compression of large vessels leads to disruption of the cardiovascular system, which is also fraught with the appearance of severe swelling.
If swelling appeared on one leg, while there is pain, redness, most likely the reason is a blockage of the vessel, or thrombosis.

These conditions during pregnancy carry a health hazard, therefore, when the first symptoms appear, the woman is placed in a hospital for observation.

When to sound the alarm

Edema does not always cause anxiety. If they appeared after a long stay on their feet in a stuffy room or after a large amount of drunk liquid, pass after rest, while feeling healthy remains normal, then you should not panic. It is enough to establish a regime of rest and nutrition, so that everything returns to normal.

With prolonged edema and in the presence of other disturbing symptoms, you should not delay a visit to the doctor: edema can be not only external. Not finding a way out, the liquid begins to accumulate in the muscles of the internal organs, including the muscles of the uterus, which leads to difficulties in the delivery of oxygen to the fetus.

Leg swelling during pregnancy often indicates the onset of such a serious disease as gestosis or late toxicosis. This condition leads to an increase in blood pressure, which causes a violation of placental blood flow and fetal hypoxia. With gestosis, not only swelling of the legs is observed, hands and face also swell, protein appears in the urine. Gestosis in its severe manifestations is an indication for the treatment of pregnant women in a hospital.

Video: Signs, prevention and treatment of gestosis

How to prevent edema during pregnancy

When it comes to gestosis, then self-medication is not worth it, since the consequences can be quite sad. Physiological edema can be prevented.

Nutrition during pregnancy plays a huge role: it is it that does not allow you to gain extra pounds, exacerbating pressure on the lower limbs. In addition, proper nutrition can improve the functioning of the urinary system. Foods with a sufficient content of vitamin C, vegetables and fruits must be included in the diet, among which oranges and lemons are preferred, greens - celery and parsley, green onions. The menu includes garlic, it has a positive effect on the circulatory system. But it is better to refuse fatty, spicy, sweet and salty: such products retain liquid.

Particular attention is paid to the drinking regimen. Many pregnant women suffering from edema try to reduce their water intake. And this is a serious mistake. The fact is that the body experiences stress from a lack of fluid, starting to store it for the future, which leads to the formation of even greater edema. It is recommended that pregnant women drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid per day, and it is better if it is purified water without gas.

We must not forget about special vitamin complexes that strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve microcirculation. These are medications, so you need to take them only after consulting with your doctor. In addition, doctors will recommend wearing compression stockings. They greatly facilitate the condition during pregnancy, removing part of the load from the legs, thereby reducing swelling.

Folk remedies for leg swelling

Folk remedies against leg swelling during pregnancy are no less effective. Often, even doctors recommend them to women:

1. Cabbage leaf has an excellent decongestant and anti-inflammatory effect. The upper, dark green sheets cool well, slightly beat off so that the juice appears, and lay on the swollen place. When the sheet is heated, it is replaced by another, more chilled.

2. Herbal preparations recommended during pregnancy have a mild diuretic effect and allow the removal of excess fluid. You can not use synthetic drugs with a pronounced diuretic effect: since together with urine, microelements, especially potassium and magnesium, necessary for the work of the heart, are removed from the body. The lack of these or other substances can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

3. Infusion of dried apricots will not only make up for the lack of vitamins, but also remove excess fluid. For its preparation, a handful of dried fruit is poured with half a liter of hot boiled water (not boiling water so that the vitamins contained in the product do not break up) and insist for 2-3 hours. After this, the infusion is divided into 4 doses and drunk per day.

4. Foot massage with peach oil will help improve blood circulation. It is better not to use essential oils, since a pungent odor can cause severe allergies, even if such a reaction was not observed before pregnancy. Massage improves blood circulation and relieves stress.

During pregnancy, the legs swell from an uncomfortable posture. It is unacceptable to throw a foot over a foot, as this position prevents the normal circulation of blood in the pelvis and legs.

On the contrary, the correct position of the body can not only relieve fatigue, relax tense muscles, but also restore fluid outflow from the lower extremities. After a long walk, it is advisable to raise the legs so that the feet are above the level of the hips. You can lie on the bed and put a voluminous pillow.

The so-called knee-elbow pose helps. To do this, you need to get on all fours, leaning on your arms bent at the elbows and legs bent at the knees. It is recommended to stand like this for 10-15 minutes several times a day. In this position, the pregnant woman provides relaxation to the kidneys, which are freed from the severity of the fetus, their blood circulation and work are being established.

Sleeping in late pregnancy is allowed only on the side to unload the inferior vena cava. Rest on the back is extremely undesirable: this way the fetus will compress large arteries even more.

Swelling of the legs during pregnancy brings a lot of worries to the expectant mother, especially if they do not go away with all the recommendations. After childbirth, the work of the kidneys, other organs and systems is restored, and edema, as a rule, is no longer disturbed.

According to statistics, 7 out of 10 women complain of edema during pregnancy. Puffiness is often accompanied by heaviness and redness caused by eclampsia or preeclampsia. This is called a sharp increase in pressure with late toxicosis due to excess fluid retained in the body. If such puffiness occurs, it is indicated to consult a doctor immediately.

More often, severe edema of the feet is observed at the end of the day and after physical exertion. Edema of the legs during pregnancy is formed in the calf muscle, thighs and lower leg. Edema mainly appears in the heat for no particular reason. When pressed, dents appear that do not disappear for 3-5 seconds.

Be careful when edema occurs in later pregnancy. The main reason for the appearance is a dangerous increase in pressure, as a result, the fetus ceases to receive nutrients due to a slowdown in blood flow to the placenta. See your doctor for treatment.

Such a condition causes temporary oxygen starvation, can lead to fetal death, monitor the condition of the female body, especially in late pregnancy.

The main causes of leg swelling

The main causes of swelling of the legs are:

High blood pressure is a dangerous cause of edema experienced by pregnant women.
Reducing the lumen of the veins of the pelvis of the future mother due to the constant growth of the fetus.

In addition to the listed causes dangerous to the fetus, edema appears due to:

Hypertension that appeared long before pregnancy;
Excess weight before pregnancy;
Chronic kidney disease, bladder.

Removal of edema at home

If swelling occurs during pregnancy, follow the simple recommendations:

Edema Prevention

To prevent the effects of leg swelling (pain and hypersensitivity), prophylaxis is indicated.

The main measure to prevent puffiness is proper nutrition, the habit of drinking plenty of water. Overweight causes serious difficulties during pregnancy. Limit your intake of salt, smoked meats, spices, sweets, and fat. A similar diet helps the kidney system. Do not forget about enough mineral water. Excess fluid will begin to be eliminated from the body. Include more foods in your diet that help eliminate fluid - citrus fruits, herbs and garlic.

Forget about fast food and processed foods with an excess of harmful substances. Replace the snack with citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes, melons, strawberries and types of cabbage. Eat nuts, vegetable oil with vitamin E.

Serious complications threaten smoking. The habit negatively affects the health of the unborn child, provokes serious swelling of the legs.

Alternative medicine against edema

Alternative medicine helps with edema. On the advice or consent of a doctor, try decoctions of herbs, compresses of cabbage leaves.

External and internal edema

Sometimes it’s hard to understand if puffiness is present or not. If in doubt:

Look at the engagement ring or another ring. If the decoration is difficult to remove or the ring is tight, swelling is evident.
Pay attention to weight. With normal indicators, a woman gains no more than 300 g during each week.

The presence of these signs in the first place signals a violation in the withdrawal of fluid from the body. Latent puffiness is also known - it appears in the late afternoon, mainly on the feet, happens on the hands, stomach, face and lips.

Diagnosis of leg edema

To detect puffiness in the body, use several methods:

Celebrate weight gain. If more than 300 g is added per week, weight becomes an occasion for examination.
Calculate the amount of fluid you drink per day, compare with the amount of urine for the same period. With normal functioning of the body, the water output is ¾ of the total amount drunk. If the amount is much less - the fluid is retained in the soft tissues.
Try taking measurements of the right and left legs in several places for a number of days. If the indicators of the legs are very different - the measurement indicates the presence of swelling.

The most dangerous swelling in late pregnancy.

What is dangerous leg swelling

Many people see no reason for concern when edema occurs over time, if there is no protein in the urine, blood pressure is normal. In this case, there is no need for emergency treatment or prevention.

For edema of the feet or other parts of the legs in the last weeks of pregnancy, pass an analysis to identify the cause. Edema of the placenta and fetal tissues becomes dangerous for the life of the child and mother.

Comfort and relaxation are important for prevention

Theraline pillow is considered an ideal helper in the prevention of puffiness. It helps to keep the legs slightly raised. With the help of a pillow, a pregnant woman will always be in a comfortable comfortable position, thanks to a filler made of hypoallergenic material, she is absolutely safe. Application is necessary for swelling of the legs in late pregnancy!

Edema of the legs during pregnancy in the later stages: what is dangerous and how to treat

The last months of pregnancy create a feeling of happiness soon, but a mood raised from hormones can overshadow a serious problem. Swelling of the legs in pregnant women in the later stages - This is not such a rare occurrence. A growing fetus requires more space in the abdomen and displaces internal organs, which causes edema of various parts of the body. They may be the physiological norm or, conversely, dangerous for the child and require treatment.

Why do edema appear
Attention! Summer
How to relieve swelling in the heat
What can swell in pregnant women
Effects
Swelling of the hands
Swelling on the legs
Swelling of the face
Genital Pastosity
Drinking mode
Treatment
Local therapy: gels, creams for edema during pregnancy
Inpatient treatment
Therapeutic diet and sample menu
Exercises and home gymnastics
Folk remedies and recipes
Diagnostics

Causes of edema, what is wrong with a pregnant body

Edema appears due to a sharp increase in the uterus: water accumulates in the body, squeezes the internal organs, nerves and blood vessels, the passage of oxygen to the extremities is blocked, the outflow of urine is disturbed and stagnation in the bloodstream occurs.

Most edema occurs in women who have a baby for the first time, but the first child is not the main cause of the pathology.

During gestation, progesterone levels increase. Its main effect is the relaxation of smooth muscle. And this type of muscle tissue is present in most internal organs:

in the vascular wall of veins and arteries;
in the esophagus, intestines, stomach, gall bladder, bile ducts;
the uterus;
in the ureters and bladder.

Progesterone is the main cause of the formation of edema. All others are secondary or dependent on the effects of this hormone. It is because of it that heartburn, constipation and edema occur during pregnancy.

Other causes of edema in pregnant women:

Chronic diseases: cardiovascular (increased load), endocrine, genitourinary systems, from the vessels - or deep vein thrombosis.
Uncontrolled consumption of salty foods.
Tight clothes and uncomfortable shoes: leggings,.
Protein deficiency (hereditary or due to malnutrition or loss of proteins against gestational nephropathy).
- toxicosis in pregnant women. In addition to edema, hypertension appears (increase in blood pressure) and. At risk are adult women: (from), pregnant with twins or triples, smokers, suffering from episodic seizures or with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system.

The accumulation of fluid occurs from the bottom up, so the first swelling appears in the legs. Pastosity of the feet looks like a thickening of the skin, swelling of the subcutaneous layer of fat. It is easy to distinguish, since the protruding veins on the leg are completely closed, folds can form. Edema usually looks like in the photo.

To check whether there is an accumulation of sweating plasma on the lower extremities, you need to press soft tissues with your thumb to the tibia. This bone is located on the front surface of the lower leg. If after pressing for 3-5 seconds there is a deepening - this is swelling. Moreover, the degree of swelling is higher, the higher the pit remains with pressure.

Gestosis is dangerous because it causes swelling of the internal organs, including the placenta, which are fraught with a violation of the exchange of oxygen between the mother and the fetus. Late gestosis is a menacing condition for both. Therefore, caution in his presence should be with a woman and an obstetrician-gynecologist. When confirming the condition in severe cases, the pregnant woman is hospitalized and intensive treatment is prescribed.

Attention: summer and heat

Speaking about the causes of the development of edematous syndrome in a pregnant woman, it is necessary to mention the time of year. In summer, especially in the heat, swelling develops faster, stronger and more difficult to remove. This is due to the physical influence of heat, which has a relaxing effect on blood vessels:

blood flow slows down;
perfusion pressure in the vessels increases;
more fluid flows into the intercellular space.

Therefore, if the 3rd trimester of pregnancy occurs in the hot season, your actions should be aimed in advance at preventing the appearance of edema.

What can be done in summer to alleviate the condition

You can remove or alleviate swelling with the help of a contrast shower for the legs. The temperature difference will allow you to “tune up” the vessels and return to tone. Such hardening exercises are the best way to prevent lower limb edema in the third trimester.

What can swell in pregnant women?

In addition to the feet, swelling of the hands and fingers, face, mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, genitals. Latent edema is most dangerous during pregnancy. They are distinguished by the absence of external symptoms: the body does not get tired, muscles do not hurt, thickening of the skin is invisible, but weight is rapidly gaining. Therefore, in the antenatal clinic, where you are being observed, before the visit to the obstetrician-gynecologist, a control weighing is mandatory.

Since the edematous fluid accumulates in the intercellular space of the internal organs, a chronic disease can determine which part of the body is most at risk. In mothers with cardiovascular diseases, the legs, lower back and feet are more likely to swell. In women with kidney disease, any organ, including the face and hands, can be hit.

The average duration of edema during pregnancy is. But later edema is possible, and even. And the earliest - with.

What is the danger of edema in late pregnancy?

Edema in the last month of pregnancy associated with chronic diseases causes rapid weight gain (about 300-400 g per week) and is dangerous for rapid spread throughout the body. Swollen organs constrict blood vessels, sodium and oxygen metabolism are disrupted, the baby is malnourished and may be born prematurely. To exclude such consequences, pregnant women are constantly monitored in the hospital.

Significant risks to the fetus arise only when the woman does not report edema and allows them to progress.

Swelling of the legs during pregnancy

The most common localization of edema during pregnancy is the legs. Fluid accumulates in the body and, under the influence of gravity, drops down into the ankles.

At night, when a woman is lying in a horizontal position, the fluid moves higher in the legs and in the morning the swelling may decrease. This condition is normal for pregnant women. Perhaps a slight tingling and short-term numbness of the limbs. From morning pastiness helps and charging.

You can reduce mild edema yourself. During sleep, it is recommended to raise your legs - lay them on an extra pillow.

You need less to be in an upright position without movement, wear comfortable shoes (especially if flat feet are diagnosed to any degree), do leg massage or gymnastics, wear compression stockings and drink 1.5 liters of liquid per day in small portions.

If the swelling remains the same size in the morning or other parts of the body begin to swell, it is necessary to inform the gynecologist. Swelling of the legs during pregnancy can be an indirect sign.

Swelling of the hands in pregnant women

There are two ways to determine whether hands are swollen during pregnancy or not:

in the morning put a ring on your finger, with swelling in the evening, swelling forms around the ring, and the jewelry itself will be more difficult to remove;
take a tight gum and put it on your hand, with swelling after a few minutes the skin under the gum is pressed, and after removing it, a dent is still visible for some time.

Swollen hands usually do not cause discomfort. Fingers hurt if you type on the keyboard for a long time. To avoid swelling when working at the computer, it is enough to put your elbows on a flat surface, it is advisable to put a soft pillow, and give your hands a rest every 10-15 minutes.

Simultaneous swelling of the arms and legs is a sign that the cardiovascular system, together with the lymphatic system, can not cope. In late pregnancy, the heart experiences an increased load, and venous blood is poorly "pumped" from the limbs to the heart. Due to the high pressure, the walls of the veins expand and small holes form through which fluid flows through the intercellular space. Thrombophlebitis exacerbates at the same time. Inflammation of the veins can be suspected if one leg is swollen more than the other.

If the swelling of the fingers does not go away on their own, the doctor draws up a strict diet and control of the fluid entering the body. In advanced cases, drugs are prescribed separately that enhance blood flow in the kidneys and vitamins B, E and A.

Swelling of the face

Edema of the face appears after all, sometimes before childbirth. In the morning, a slight swelling of the eyelids is noticeable. In severe cases, the area under the eyes constantly swells and the contour of the face changes.

In the early stages, a runny nose or nasal congestion develops, which sometimes accompany the pregnant woman to the very most. The face swells often with an increase in salt load at night. It is necessary to exclude the use of salty spicy dishes.

Facial edema is fought in the same way as swelling of the hands and feet: a strict diet, fluid control, baths, moderate exercise.

Labia edema

Genital edema at 9 months is not always dangerous, more often adipose tissue increases so that it is easier for the child to pass through the birth canal. But such an increase in the labia is not accompanied by a constant feeling of discomfort.

If, together with edema, the vagina is constantly itching or the discharge acquires a green, yellow hue, then we can talk about infection and infection. In this case, additional laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods are individually prescribed, then medications are prescribed.

If the edema causes discomfort, but the discharge is normal, a general diet, a drinking regimen and a warm bath are prescribed.

Drinking regimen for swelling

In the third trimester, blood circulation rises by about 40%, which is why the body needs more fluid - about 1.5 liters per day, taking into account first courses, juicy fruits and vegetables. Moreover, during a full meal, it is important to reduce the amount of salt to 1.5 g, it has the property of retaining fluid. In the morning and evening you need to drink a glass of kefir or. and it’s better to drink hawthorn infusion or kidney collection. If it is difficult to adhere to the drinking regime, and the body constantly requires more water - you need to drink, you cannot thirst yourself during pregnancy.

You need to know that the fluid in the body retains not only salt, but also sugar. Therefore, the diet also provides for the exclusion of sweet foods. But most of all, the sugar-salt complex affects the formation of edema in pregnant women. These two products potentiate each other in the development of edematous syndrome.

To get rid of edema during pregnancy, it is forbidden to take diuretics (diuretics) on your own. If you choose the wrong drug during pregnancy, the body will begin to excrete beneficial substances, depriving the macronutrients of both the baby and the mother. Only a doctor can prescribe a diuretic based on tests.

Treatment: medications and rules for admission

During pregnancy, it is allowed to take the following drugs under the supervision of a doctor:

Triampur (for diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys) - 2 tablets / day. morning and evening for 20 days;
Kanefron - 1 tablet 2 times a day before meals for 15 days;
Eufillin - 0.15 g 2 times a day;
Hofitol (an organic preparation based on artichoke) - 3 tablets / day. before eating;
Furosemide - 1-2 tablets / day.

An excess of drugs in the 3rd trimester affects the child. The exact dosage can be prescribed only in the hospital. Diuretic products supplement any of the preparations: oatmeal, eggplant, or celery. In severe cases, only medications help.

Local remedies for getting rid of edema

Local remedies - gels and creams based on heparin help to fight edema syndrome. It improves the rheological properties of blood, prevents the formation of blood clots and restores the vascular wall, thereby helping to avoid edema in pregnant women on the legs, arms and under the eyes on the face.

Treatment of edema in late pregnancy with creams and gels without the consent of a doctor is prohibited!

Treatment of edema during pregnancy in a hospital

With severe edematous syndrome, hospitalization of a pregnant woman in a permanent hospital or day hospital may be recommended.

If necessary, vascular preparations are prescribed in the hospital and injected with a dropper. In this way, Pentoxifylline, Eufillin is treated. In short, these drugs will help the kidneys filter out the excess fluid that has accumulated in the body of the expectant mother and cope with edema.

Earlier, magnesium sulfate (magnesia) was prescribed for this purpose, but progressive specialists are gradually “moving away” from it. The effect of it is insignificant and doubtful in terms of fetal health.

Diet

The table shows the acceptable dishes for each meal, the diet is based on the preferences of the pregnant woman.

Table 1.

Breakfast

Dinner

High tea

Dinner

Before bedtime

Muesli in milk, or boiled eggs, or 100 g of cottage cheese;

Juice and apple or berries

Vegetable or seafood soup or beef soup

100 g of vegetable salad or rice side dish.

2-3 slices of black bread, cucumbers.

Drink juices or compotes.

Apple, pear, assorted berries, a slice of watermelon or melon, dried apricots (optional). Kidney tea

Rice side dish with cutlet or boiled fish.

Treatment of edema in late pregnancy with folk remedies

Folk remedies will also help cope with edema, they can be taken along with a course of medications, but it is important to notify the doctor about this. The course of folk herbal medicine includes various tonic and sedatives:

cranberry and lingonberry fruit drinks from fresh or frozen berries;
tea or infusion of lingonberry leaves;
(without sugar, it is possible with honey), it is important to choose high-quality tea;
bearberry decoction helps to drive away excess fluid, drink no more than 10 days, prolonged use threatens uterine muscular irritation;
, lavender, jasmine or other herbs as an addition to water;
for treatment, use a decoction of dill seeds or adding seeds to food;
corn stigmas in kidney disease.

Diagnosis of pastility: how to determine if there is fluid retention or not

To identify edema during pregnancy, doctors prescribe a daily amount of water for a woman and monitor the amount and condition. Comparing the rate of intake and output, we can conclude how much fluid remains in the tissues, which means to predict the appearance of edema. Pastosis in a progressive form affects the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and throat, there is a constant runny nose, passing into rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa). Rhinitis of pregnant women does not require treatment.

A blister test is used: the introduction of 0.2 mg of physiological saline into the forearm. The greater the edematous readiness of the body, the faster the blister resolves.

Urinalysis according to Zimnitsky (in parentheses is the norm) shows the average volume of urination (60-300 ml), the ratio of day and night diuresis (3: 1), the ratio of the excreted to the received fluid (75-80%). For analysis, within 24 hours every 3 hours 8 times, starting at 9:00, a urine sample is taken. The first portion is lowered into the toilet, the rest is collected each time in a separate jar, stored in a refrigerator and taken to the hospital in the morning. Do not use diuretics during the analysis.

If the pregnant woman’s body is predisposed to edema, then they cannot be avoided, but it can be prevented and recognized in time by passing examinations in the hospital, especially in the 3rd trimester. The edema is not terrible, but the lack of desire and desire to treat them.

Probably, almost every pregnant woman has encountered such an unpleasant phenomenon as swelling. Due to the increase in the volume of circulating blood and amniotic fluid, the body's need for water increases significantly. At the same time, the dominant hormone of pregnancy - progesterone helps to slow the withdrawal of sodium. But it is he who is responsible for the retention of water in the body.

Causes of edema during pregnancy

Normal edema. Usually they occur with errors in nutrition. This may be excessive consumption of too salty or sweet foods. Pregnant women need to monitor their diet more closely, and limit themselves in such products. You always need to remember that the body is now working in a different mode.

Often, such edema can occur in the summer, as too hot weather also provokes their appearance.

Development of renal failure. Pregnancy itself creates an additional burden on the kidneys. As a natural result, the entire volume of fluid consumed cannot be fully withdrawn, which causes the appearance of edema. At risk are women who already have a history of kidney disease (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis).

Phlebeurysm. Due to the fact that blood circulation is disturbed in the uterine cavity, the veins do not distill the blood properly. Blood stagnates, blood vessels expand, edema occurs, fluid stagnates in the lower extremities. Additional negative factors are considered to be an increase in body weight and a decrease in physical activity.

Preeclampsia. This is a complication that occurs in the last stages of pregnancy. It is accompanied by a triad: edema, high blood pressure, the appearance of protein in the urine.

Wearing uncomfortable clothes and shoes. Wearing tight and squeezing clothes and shoes causes circulatory disorders.

Endocrine pathology. They can cause swelling of the lower and upper limbs, face, and even tongue.

Most often during pregnancy, it is the legs that swell, since the process of fluid retention is from the bottom up. As a rule, this happens already in the last trimester, and does not pose any threat to the health of the mother and fetus. But sometimes such edema can be a sign of a dangerous complication - gestosis. Therefore, it is best to consult your doctor to rule out this option.

It is possible to determine the presence of swelling of the legs in pregnant women if you put pressure on the skin. In the event that it immediately straightens out, it is logical to conclude that there are no edema. You can talk about them when a characteristic dent remains at the site of compression.

In addition to this simple experiment, of course, the presence of edema is definitely present if her regular shoes became cramped. Edema becomes more noticeable in the evening due to the fact that the accumulated fluid during the day, goes down.

How to avoid swelling of the legs during pregnancy (video)

In this video, the doctor tells interesting facts about swelling of the legs during pregnancy, about the causes of their occurrence and preventive measures.

Swelling of the hands during pregnancy, why swelling hands, fingers in pregnant women

Often you can observe swelling of the hands and fingers in pregnant women. Moreover, they may still complain of a feeling of numbness in the hands and.

A similar test with squeezing the skin is also used to check for swelling. Obvious swelling is indicated by a pronounced swelling of the fingers. Often the patient notes that he can not remove the ring.

Edema of the upper extremities is more characteristic of the category of women who, by the nature of their activity, work a lot at the computer or do something with their hands (knitting, sewing, sculpting).

A frequent complication in this case is the development of a tunnel syndrome - accumulation of fluid in the wrist that presses on the nerve.

Swelling of the face during pregnancy

Edema of the face, as a rule, begins with the eyelids, and then already spread further.

Separately, you can talk about swelling of the nose. It will be accompanied by a runny nose, a feeling of dryness and itching. This phenomenon has even received a medical name - rhinitis of pregnant women. This phenomenon is safe for mom, but can negatively affect the baby, as he begins to experience some oxygen deficiency. Usually this ailment passes after childbirth on its own.

Edema in late pregnancy

At the end of pregnancy, almost every woman has edema to one degree or another. Most often, they are a variant of the norm.

But it must be borne in mind that in the later stages, edema tends to progress and can be a symptom of such a serious complication as gestosis. It poses a risk not only to the mother herself, but also to the unborn baby. The fact is that with gestosis, the placenta can swell. Because of this, there is a violation of the utero-placental metabolism, the fetus lacks oxygen and necessary nutrients.

Edema in the last weeks of pregnancy (video)

In this video, you can listen to useful information about why edema appears during pregnancy in the late stages.

What is the danger of edema during pregnancy?

The danger of edema directly depends on the cause of their occurrence. If these are physiological edema, which in principle is considered the norm, then they do not threaten the health of the mother and baby.

But the remaining cases, when the cause of their occurrence lies in some kind of internal diseases, requires urgent treatment. The fact is that they can accompany serious disorders in the body. This can be a direct threat of miscarriage, premature birth, fetal hypoxia, a threat to the life of the mother and child.

Treatment, drugs for edema

Treatment of edema in pregnant women should be comprehensive. The attending physician determines the necessary course of therapy based on the cause of this symptom.

To combat edema, doctors usually prescribe wearing compression hosiery. This item is especially relevant for the category of women who already have problems with blood vessels. Wearing special stockings or tights helps to significantly reduce pressure on the vessels and eliminates swelling.

For external use, special therapeutic ointments and gels can be used. Of the most effective and popular, we can distinguish:

Heparin ointment. It is able to neutralize inflammation quite efficiently and activate blood circulation processes. In addition, this ointment is a prophylactic that prevents thrombosis.
"Varicobuster." This remedy anesthetizes well and eliminates swelling.
Horse Chestnut Cream. Its action is aimed at reducing the degree of blood coagulability, increasing vascular tone and strength.
Troxevasin ointment. Its specificity lies in its excellent absorbable effect. It is an essential tool for fragility of capillaries and thrombosis.

If preeclampsia develops, then medications must be connected immediately. It will be advisable to prescribe drugs with a diuretic effect: "Kanefrona", "Fitolizina." They have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.

"Kanefron" is better to choose in tablet form, since the drops contain alcohol. This drug has virtually no contraindications. If during its use to drink a large amount of pure water, this will further enhance the action of the components.

Sometimes doctors prescribe Eufillin. It has a powerful diuretic effect due to the fact that it contains the substance aminophylline. However, there are many contraindications to it. For example, Eufillin is not recommended for use in patients with low blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

In a hospital setting, diuretics (drugs with a diuretic effect) - Furosemide, Hypothiazide - can be prescribed for a short time.

Multivitamins can also improve utero-placental blood flow. Vitamin E and lipoic acid are excellent remedies for the prevention of gestosis and the occurrence of edema.

Special droppers will restore the deficiency of fluid and protein in the female body. With high blood pressure, antihypertensive therapy is indicated.

How to get rid of edema during pregnancy

The very first thing you need to pay attention to when starting treatment for edema is a special diet. It is necessary to remove fried, smoked and salty products from your menu. You can even try to practice fasting days. For example, once a week there are only apples.

The use of salt should be minimized, because it helps to actively retain fluid in the body.

You should also carefully consider the drinking regimen. You should not limit yourself in the use of water at all. On the contrary, you need to try to drink a day and a half or two liters of clean water. A sufficient amount of fluid entering the inside will allow the kidneys to function normally. The only rule to follow is to drink often and little by little.

In general, nutrition needs to be reviewed, making it more healthy and balanced.

An important condition for treatment will be the observance of the correct regimen of the day. This implies a sufficient amount of sleep (8-10 hours) and many walks in the fresh air.

As for physical activity, you should not limit yourself to it much if there are no health problems. This is the wrong tactic of behavior. Hiking, a swimming pool, special exercises for pregnant women will be quite appropriate.

The most useful exercise for pregnant women can rightfully be considered the knee-elbow position. This position does not allow the enlarged uterus to squeeze the internal organs and the abdominal aorta. Thus, normal blood supply to all organs and tissues is being established. Experts recommend taking this position several times a day for fifteen minutes.

Another simple action that it is advisable to perform at the end of each day is to lie down horizontally on the bed and rest, raising your legs. This situation effectively prevents stagnation of lymph and blood.