While you can enjoy magical pregnancy periods (it’s a miracle how many bathroom visits you can make in a day) and look forward to the arrival of your lovely little rabbit, there are few magical side effects to experience. Happens to many potential parents.
Your body changes rapidly, which can be a bit restless. Swelling of the feet is one of the most common ailments of many women during pregnancy. Let’s talk about why your feet may swell during pregnancy, when you felt it, when to seek medical help, and some simple treatments that can help.
How to get relief
Although swollen feet may or may not be painful, they are definitely uncomfortable or annoying. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to try to relieve symptoms during pregnancy.
Better? This may include snacks, snacks, swimming, massage, and possibly shoe purchases. It doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
Reduce your sodium intake
One way to reduce swelling during pregnancy is to limit the amount of sodium (salt). Salt stores extra water in your body. Try to avoid canned or processed foods as they are high in sodium. Also, try not to add too much salt to your diet.
Using herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano is an easy way to add flavor to your dishes without using salt.
Increase your potassium intake
Potassium deficiency can also worsen bloating. This is because potassium helps your body balance the amount of fluid it stores. Your prenatal vitamins provide you with extra potassium, but it is also important that you eat a good source of potassium in your diet.
Some kind of foods that are naturally high source of potassium may include:
- Potatoes with skin
- Sweet potatoes, even with the skin
- Banana
- Spinach
- Beans
- Some fruit juices, especially:
- Prune
- Pomegranate
- orange
- Carrots
- passionfruit
- Yogurt
- Beets
- Salmon
- Lentils
Reduce caffeine intake
Although caffeine is sometimes harmless during pregnancy (and hey, this person needs to be careful!), Drinking too much caffeine is not considered good for babies. It can also increase inflammation. Caffeine is a diuretic that makes you urinate more and then makes your body think that it needs to have fluids.
Instead, try mint-like caffeinated lettuce or herbal teas for a little pick-me-up.
Drink more water
Strange as it may seem, drinking plenty of water is actually helpful in dealing with bloating. If your body feels that you are dehydrated, it will retain more fluid to try to maintain balance. So try to drink at least 10 glasses of water every day so that your kidneys get rid of harmful substances and your body is well hydrated.
If you find it difficult to drink that much water, try getting a good cup that you want to refill, or a large water bottle that you only need to fill a few times a day. You can also taste the water with lemon, mint or berry to make it more delicious.
Lift your legs and relax
Even if you have a million things you want to do before your baby is born, try to sit up and lift your legs whenever possible. Although sitting all the time is not good for your circulation, standing all the time is not good for your beautiful pregnant body.
Sitting with your feet up for a while, especially at the end of the day, can help remove the fluid that accumulates in your feet during the day.
Wear loose and comfortable clothes
Wearing tight clothing can increase swelling, especially around the wrists, waist and ankles. In fact, it interferes most with the blood circulation. Try to wear loose, comfortable clothing, or at least avoid tight elastic bands. Maternity maxi dresses in summer and fly cardigans or sweaters with joggers in winter can be cute and comfortable.
Stay calm
Especially if you are pregnant during the summer months, staying indoors on hot days and avoiding strenuous exercise can help you cool down and reduce swelling. You can also wear cool clothes, put a cold compress on your feet, or put a fan nearby.
Wear high waist compression socks
Yeah All that sounds may pretty crap to me, that looks like BT aint for me either. But if your legs are constantly swollen or you have to stay on your feet most of the time, you can wear high waist compression socks. These socks gently compress the legs and feet to allow fluid to circulate. Try not to wear knee-high compression socks, as they can be too tight in the middle of the foot and cause more swelling.
Walk
Walking 5 to 10 minutes several times a day can improve blood circulation, which can help reduce swelling. It can also be a great break from your day and a great way to exercise safely during pregnancy.
Wear comfortable shoes
Although you may look cute in high heels, the end of pregnancy is the best time to give them a break. Wearing comfortable (including orthopedic) shoes is key to reducing foot swelling as well as preventing hip and back problems that can result from the center of gravity and weight gain.
In addition to swelling, ligaments (including the legs) spread throughout the body during pregnancy, so the legs can change shape. Some feet return to their pre-pregnancy size, but many people find that their feet are permanently half the size or size.
This can be annoying because something else is changing or one of your favorite shoes no longer fits, but it’s a good reason to look for new favorites.
Swimming
There are no studies to show that water pressure reduces swelling during pregnancy, but many people get rid of swelling by spending time in the pool. Try to stand or try to swim in a pool that is as deep as your neck. At the very least, you will feel lighter and fresher when you combine it with a little exercise. You may also notice that your feet and legs are less swollen.
Get A Massage
Your partner may be looking for ways to get involved in the pregnancy process and this is a great opportunity. Massage helps to distribute the fluid that has accumulated in the legs, which in turn reduces swelling. So grab a bottle of water, lift your legs up, and let your partner lightly massage your legs and feet. Adding peppermint or lavender essential oil can make the treatment more comfortable.
And if you are enjoying this pregnancy alone or if your partner is not sensitive, many massage studios offer special prenatal massage. Not only can this help with the swelling but it is also a great way to relieve the stress that comes with pregnancy.
Sleep on the left side
When possible, sleeping on your left side can increase blood flow, which will reduce the swelling of the legs. When you lie on your left side, the pressure in your uterus decreases due to the inferior vena cava, a large blood vessel that returns blood to your heart.