Pregnancy is an incredibly rewarding experience with more than its fair share of difficulties. Edema, or swollen feet, is one of the most well-known. This is among the most common experiences of pregnancy, but it can be painful, and, in rare cases, a sign of a more serious problem.
While swelling in your feet is undoubtedly inconvenient, it can usually be fixed using simple natural remedies to address your symptoms. It’s also helpful to wear women’s boots or sandals that allow for swelling.
This article will discuss a few time-tested methods of reducing swelling and pain. If your swelling persists or worsens, however, it may be best to talk to your doctor.
What Causes Edema?
As many as 75% of pregnant women experience swelling at some point during their pregnancy (typically in the third trimester), so don’t worry—this is rarely a serious condition. Edema simply occurs due to excess fluids in your body as a result of your pregnancy. Swelling isn’t always limited to the feet, and some women experience it in their hands, ankles, face, and calves.
How to Reduce Swelling
Swelling can be uncomfortable, but you can often manage the discomfort with some simple, at-home solutions. While your swelling may not go away immediately, you’d be surprised at the effects small adjustments to your lifestyle and diet can have on your symptoms.
Stay Active
It can be especially difficult to keep up an exercise routine while pregnant, but simply staying active and getting your heart rate up will give your physical and mental health a massive boost. Exercise has a significant impact on your circulation, which in turn will reduce the degree to which fluids pool in certain areas of your body.
If you’re nervous about exercising while pregnant, you can contact your doctor or a physical therapist to design a program that suits with your changing needs.
Keep Moving
Devoting time to exercise is a great first step toward improving your symptoms and overall health. Unfortunately, it can be counteracted if you spent a substantial portion of your time at a desk or anywhere else that doesn’t keep your body moving.
Even small changes, like switching to a treadmill desk, can give you the circulation you need to stay balanced. As an added bonus, it may even help you be more productive.
When Could Swelling Be More Serious?
It’s important to remember that the vast majority of these cases are very minor, but you should also be aware of the times at which they may be signs of something more. Swelling is sometimes an indicator of preeclampsia, which may also present with a combination of these symptoms:
- High blood pressure
- Sudden appearance or increase of swelling, especially in the face
- Vomiting or nausea
- Intense headaches
- Fatigue
Always tell your doctor about any unexpected symptoms you’re experiencing, including swelling, so that they have a complete understanding of your overall health. While the treatments covered here may help with preeclampsia, your doctor may determine that more intervention is necessary.
Preeclampsia is a potentially serious condition, but most cases of swollen feet during pregnancy are nothing more than uncomfortable. Taking these steps to reduce your swelling and pain will help you maintain your lifestyle throughout pregnancy while improving your overall well-being.
This article was provided by Clarissa Rivera, Marketing Coordinator at Taos Footwear.
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