Most pregnant women will have edema of their hands and feet during pregnancy, sooner or later, which is called edema during pregnancy. Edema in pregnant women is caused by the fluid components in the blood vessels oozing out of the blood vessels and accumulating in the interstitial spaces. In general, edema during pregnancy tends to occur after 28 weeks of pregnancy. Because the mother-to-be's uterus is so large at this time that it may compress the venous return. Therefore, pregnant women with poor venous return are more likely to have lower extremity edema at this stage. Pregnancy edema is not terrible, let's take a look at it, how to "eliminate" it!
What are the causes of edema during pregnancy
1. Endocrine changes
After pregnancy, endocrine function changes, estrogen and aldosterone secretion increase, and more water and sodium retention in the body can cause edema.
2. Blood dilution
Blood volume increases during pregnancy, but the increase in red blood cells is not as large as in plasma, while plasma proteins do not increase much, blood becomes relatively thin, plasma colloid osmolality decreases, water moves to the interstitial space and edema is swollen.
3. The return of blood from the lower limbs is blocked
In the third trimester of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, blocking the return of blood to the lower body, increasing the venous pressure, and causing edema of the lower limbs.
How to distinguish the categories of edema during pregnancy?
After the pregnant mother determines that she is really edema, she should also be clear: one kind of edema during pregnancy is physiological, one is pathological, especially pathological, and special attention should be paid to it. If it is only physiological edema and there is no other discomfort, it generally does not cause adverse effects on the fetus.
As long as the pregnant mother monitors the weight gain and blood pressure, there is no sudden weight gain, blood pressure is in the normal range, and there is no urine protein in the urine examination, you don't have to worry too much, it will be relieved after rest, and it will gradually recover after childbirth.
If the edema is obvious, the mother has not been relieved after resting, or the edema is getting more and more serious, and there is dizziness, or edema in the eyes, eyelids and other parts, at this time the mother should be vigilant, it is best to go to the hospital quickly. Because this type may be pathological edema, there is often a greater harm hidden behind it!
For example, hypertensive diseases during pregnancy, venous thrombosis of the lower extremities, liver disease, nephrotic syndrome and heart failure, etc., any one of these is a devil-like existence for mothers and babies.
In contrast, physiological edema is not terrible; pregnant mothers only need to pay a little attention to some small details in life, and they can inadvertently solve the problem of puffiness.
Life details improve the reduction of edema
Lie flat and raise your feet
It is difficult for the blood in the veins of the lower body to return to the heart because the human heart is too far from the foot. Venous blood is sent back to the heart by the contraction of the muscles and some kind of "valve" in the blood vessels, so lying flat and raising the foot slightly can make it easier for the blood to return to the heart, and the edema is easier to eliminate.
Sit quietly and raise your feet slightly
In order to return the blood accumulated in the legs to the heart, when sitting on a chair, you can put your feet on a small platform; when sitting on the floor, you can use a cushion to raise your feet.
Stay in bed, try to use the left side
Pregnant mothers should pay attention to rest, ensure 8-9 hours of sleep time every day, it is best to rest for 1 hour at noon, and the left recumbent position is conducive to the subsidence of edema.
Diet, eat light and nutritious foods
In addition to supplementing enough protein and fruits and vegetables to ensure balanced nutrition, we must also pay attention to eating more light foods, do not eat salty foods, and foods that are easy to flatulence should be eaten less or not to prevent swelling from aggravation.
Although pregnant mothers are inconvenient to move, they cannot bounce around like before pregnancy. However, appropriate exercise can promote the health of the fetus and pregnant mothers, and effectively improve the puffiness and annoyance of pregnant mothers.
Appropriate exercise reduces edema
massage
Promoting blood circulation through massage is also very effective in preventing puffiness. Remember to massage gradually upwards from the calves so that the blood returns to the heart. Massage before bedtime can relieve sore legs and help with sleep. A massage in the shower is also a good choice!
Proper walking
With the help of the contraction of the calf muscles, the venous blood can be smoothly returned to the heart, so walking is very effective for the prevention of puffiness.
swim
Swimming is also a sport that exercises the legs. After getting the doctor's permission, swim in moderation.
Step movement
Using steps, the feet do up and down movements, can exercise the muscles of the calf, thus helping to prevent puffiness. Pregnant mothers can easily lose their balance when they get bigger, so be sure to hold on to things like pillars, walls, or tables when exercising.
Although edema during pregnancy is common, don't be careless because it is common. Especially pathological edema, often they have very serious symptoms hidden behind them. Be sure to go to the hospital in time for obstetric examination, early detection, early elimination of those terrible diseases, do not blindly carry hard!!