Swollen Feet During Pregnancy – During pregnancy, a woman will experience many changes. Well, one of the conditions commonly experienced by pregnant women is swelling. Where the swelling usually occurs in the hands and feet which is caused by the large amount of fluid in the body.
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How to Get Rid of Swollen Feet During Pregnancy
Swelling of the feet during pregnancy will certainly make you feel uncomfortable and have difficulty moving. To help reduce the effects of swollen feet, there are several habits that you can do as follows.
Adjust your diet
Paying attention to your diet during pregnancy is an important thing you have to do. Well, the swelling that you experience in your feet can get worse if you lack potassium intake, frequently consume caffeine or frequently eat foods with a high salt content. Therefore, to help overcome this you must adjust your diet appropriately as follows:
- You have to increase your potassium intake, which can be obtained from melons, bananas, dried fruits, oranges, potatoes, mushrooms, nuts and sweet potatoes.
- You can also increase your consumption of natural foods and you should limit your consumption of processed foods with a high salt content.
- You should limit your caffeine intake.
- Eat diuretic foods like ginger and celery. These are foods that will trigger body fluids to come out.
The Body Must Stay Hydrated
Dehydration or the condition of lack of fluids will cause adverse health effects. Therefore, to prevent this condition, try to keep the body hydrated. In addition, drinking lots of water will help treat swollen feet and hands during pregnancy. The reason is, water will be able to attract excess fluid that has accumulated in the body, which will then be excreted with urine.
- So, as a way to deal with swollen feet during pregnancy, you can drink enough water every day.
- In addition, you can also take advantage of the water by swimming, bathing or just standing in a shallow pool. In the body’s tissues the water will exert a compressive force so that it will make the fluid accumulate in the body out.
Warm Compress
Warm compresses are useful to help deal with swollen fingers and toes when pregnant. The heat will help make the blood circulate smoothly in the compressed area. So that the effect of blood flow to the heart will be smooth.
- To compress you can use a heating pad or a towel that has been previously moistened with warm water.
- Then you can stick it on the swollen part of the body for about 20 minutes. Avoid compressing more than the specified time.
Sleep Facing Left
When sleeping, you can choose a position facing to the left. This position will reduce pressure on the interior vena cava vessels.
Now, to help overcome this condition you can try lying to the left and find a comfortable position. Sleeping on your left will also help reduce the burden on your stomach. If the inferior vena cava is free from pressure, the effect will make blood flow to the heart more smoothly. This will reduce the build-up of fluid and the leg will no longer swell.
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Swelling of the fingers and toes during pregnancy is normal and usually subsides after you give birth. It’s just that, if the swelling occurs suddenly accompanied by vomiting, headaches and vision problems, then you must be vigilant. Because these conditions are symptoms of preeclampsia. If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately have your condition checked by a doctor.