Swelling of the legs during pregnancy: causes and treatment. Why does edema occur during pregnancy and what to do? Edema in pregnant women in the 2nd trimester

Only 20% of pregnant women do not suffer from swelling. Pregnancy for the majority occurs with swelling of the arms, legs, face and other parts of the body. This is not the most pleasant thing to happen when you are expecting a baby. We will tell you about the reasons for their appearance and give recommendations on how to reduce their impact on the health and well-being of the pregnant woman.

Swelling during pregnancy

Causes of edema during pregnancy

Edema in pregnant women develops against the background of changes in water-salt metabolism. At this time, the amount of liquid increases to 7 liters and is distributed very unevenly throughout the tissues and organs. The appearance of edema is also explained by a failure of blood outflow, its biochemical changes and a slowdown in blood circulation. Another cause of edema during pregnancy is gestosis - toxicosis in late pregnancy. From week 30 onwards, it is important to follow a water-salt diet to reduce the amount of water in the body.

Why do edema appear during pregnancy if you watch your diet? You may have problems with your kidneys, cardiovascular system, or suffer from varicose veins.

Many people ask the question, why is edema during pregnancy dangerous if it is a common and even natural pathology? Increasing swelling against the background of deteriorating tests can provoke dropsy, problems with the kidneys and even the heart. Therefore, if you suffer from edema and pressure during pregnancy, then immediately contact your doctor!

Consequences of edema during pregnancy

In most cases, edema in pregnant women is a physiological norm and yet it is necessary to control it. However, there is also dangerous swelling. What are the dangers of edema during pregnancy? Approximately 10-15% of pregnant women develop dropsy from the sixth month, which is dangerous for both the woman and her fetus.

Due to changes in the water-salt balance, the composition of the blood also changes, and this can cause abnormalities in blood clotting.

Severe swelling during pregnancy also provokes late toxicosis. It can cause disturbances and severe disruptions in the functioning of the body of a pregnant woman, which can result in induction of labor or carrying out caesarean section. Such interference in the natural course of pregnancy is necessary, since severe gestosis can cause premature placental abruption and oxygen starvation fetus - very dangerous conditions for your child.

To avoid dangerous edema during pregnancy, a woman should consult a doctor at the first symptoms and follow recommendations on diet, physical activity and daily routine. Do not turn a blind eye to even slight swelling, as it can disrupt the maternal-placental-fetal system. This condition threatens the child with long-term hypoxia, developmental abnormalities, and can even cause termination of pregnancy!

Edema in early pregnancy

Many women are interested in the question of when edema appears during pregnancy. They may not appear, but in the normal course of pregnancy they should be expected in the last trimester. If the pregnancy occurred during the hot season, then swelling in the second trimester of pregnancy is also normal. If swelling appears earlier than the specified period, then, most likely, this is due to the appearance of a disease that was provoked by the pregnancy itself. In pregnant women, the load on the kidneys, heart, and blood vessels, which are larger than other organs and are at risk, increases. If you experience swelling in the first trimester of pregnancy, consult a doctor to identify the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment.

It is quite simple to independently recognize edema during pregnancy. You cannot freely remove the ring from your finger, previously comfortable shoes have become tight, marks from tight elastic bands of underwear and socks remain on the skin for a long time, and an expressive dimple remains on the body after pressure. A decrease in fluid excreted in the urine and rapid weight gain (more than 300 grams per week) also indicate edema.

Even minor swelling during pregnancy must be controlled to avoid more dangerous consequences than the general discomfort of a pregnant woman.

Edema in the third trimester of pregnancy

Every day the pressure of the uterus on the ureters increases, so almost every second pregnant woman complains of edema in late pregnancy. At this time, you need to visit the toilet at the first urge to avoid stagnation of urine and not provoke an inflammatory process.

If swelling in the 9th month of pregnancy has become very severe, weight gain has become pathological, and you have gained more than 20 kilograms during the entire pregnancy, then you have so-called dropsy. It is easily corrected with treatment, but it is important to monitor the stability of blood pressure and the absence of protein in the urine.

When edema at the end of pregnancy is accompanied by high blood pressure and the appearance of protein in the urine, the pregnant woman has developed nephropathy, which is the second stage of the development of gestosis. At this time, the pregnant woman is prescribed inpatient treatment. Doctors improve the blood circulation of a pregnant woman for better nutrition of the child, monitor the metabolism of the expectant mother, and normalize the woman’s blood pressure so that the fetus does not experience oxygen starvation.

Four out of five women during pregnancy experience such an unpleasant symptom as. They can have different severity - from a barely noticeable increase in the volume of the ankles in the evening to severe swelling of the feet, legs, thighs, and in severe cases - the entire body. Edema in pregnant women always causes concern for women and doctors. They may be normal, but in some cases they are a sign of severe complications.

Most often, edema in pregnant women appears starting in the second trimester. They manifest themselves most strongly at the end of pregnancy, and in some cases persist even after childbirth, gradually disappearing.

The causes of swelling in the legs during pregnancy can be physiological and pathological.

Most often, edema during pregnancy is caused by physiological mechanisms:

• an increase in progesterone levels in the blood;
• retention of potassium and sodium in the body;
• compression of the inferior vena cava;
• decreased renal blood flow.

In addition, the cause of edema may be a pregnancy complication such as gestosis.

Cardiovascular or renal diseases that existed in the patient before pregnancy can lead to decompensation of cardiac or renal failure, which is also accompanied by edema.

Physiological edema during pregnancy

An increase in progesterone concentration during pregnancy is a physiological mechanism aimed at preserving it. One of the additional effects of progesterone is the retention of potassium and sodium in the kidneys. These ions “pull” water back into the vascular bed, that is, the reabsorption of water and salts in the kidney tubules increases. The increasing volume of fluid is distributed unevenly in the body, some of the water penetrates into the intercellular space, where it forms edema.

Physiological edema goes down under the influence of gravity. This is why they occur, for example, in the area of ​​the feet and ankle joints after long walks in the evening.
The uterus, enlarged during pregnancy, compresses large venous trunks that drain blood from the lower extremities. This condition is called inferior vena cava syndrome and is manifested by fainting while the woman is lying on her back. The enlarged uterus compresses the venous and lymphatic drainage of fluid from the lower extremities. The result is venous congestion in dilated and congested veins. Swelling occurs.

Fluid retention can also occur due to a decrease in the filtration function of the kidneys due to pressure on them from the enlarged uterus. A woman’s behavior, that is, the amount of fluid she consumes, plays a certain role in the appearance of edema. If there is a discrepancy between the volume of fluid drunk and the ability of the kidneys to excrete it, excess water accumulates in the body.

Edema as a manifestation of gestosis

Swelling of the legs can be one of the first manifestations of a pregnancy complication - gestosis. In addition to them, signs of this serious condition are arterial hypertension and the appearance of protein in the urine. Under these conditions, the exchange of water and salts is disrupted, the permeability of the smallest vessels - capillaries - increases, and the liquid part of the blood sweats through the walls of the vessels into the intercellular space.

In this case, fluid accumulates in the tissues of the placenta, causing oxygen starvation of the fetus. Swelling of the brain leads to visual disturbances and seizures. In the case of severe gestosis, and develop. If medical care is not provided in a timely manner, the woman and child may die due to these conditions.

You should immediately consult a doctor if swelling in the legs is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg. st, headache, nausea, impaired consciousness or seizures.

Edema as a sign of heart failure

Almost any cardiac disease that a woman suffered from before pregnancy becomes more severe during this period. In particular, there is a high probability of developing a “universal” complication of cardiac diseases -.

Edema is a manifestation of right ventricular heart failure. They are a consequence of decreased pumping function of the heart as a result of pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary valve disease or tricuspid valve disease. In this case, venous blood is pumped through the heart at insufficient speed, so it accumulates in the veins. One of the important signs that allows you to distinguish “cardiac” edema from others is liver enlargement. It is accompanied by heaviness, aching pain in the right hypochondrium, sometimes a feeling of bitterness in the mouth and belching. When palpated, the liver is determined below the edge of the costal arch; it is smooth, elastic, slightly painful.

In some cases, edema is accompanied by signs of left ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension - weakness, shortness of breath with minimal exertion and in the supine position, dry cough at night, sometimes even mixed with streaks of reddish sputum or foam.

If a woman has edema and the listed signs of heart failure, she needs to urgently consult a doctor, undergo an ultrasound examination of the heart, and adjust the treatment.

Edema due to kidney disease

The most common reasons“renal” edema – chronic glomerulonephritis and other diseases accompanied by nephrotic syndrome. A sign that allows one to suspect this cause of the development of edematous syndrome is swelling of the face and especially the eyelids in the morning.

In this case, you must seek medical help. Progression of kidney failure can threaten the health and life of the mother and child.

Recognition of edema

A pregnant woman herself may notice swelling of the lower extremities if it is severe enough. Hidden and unnoticeable swelling can only be detected by a doctor.

There are several ways to determine whether a pregnant woman has swelling and whether it is increasing.

The simplest signs are the inability to put shoes on in the evening or difficulty removing them from your fingers wedding ring. Helps to see fluid retention and sock marks on the ankle, fluctuations in ankle circumference of more than 1 cm per day.

The presence of edema, including internal edema, is indicated by rapid or uneven weight gain: more than 300 - 400 grams per week.

To more accurately determine the balance between the liquid drunk and excreted, it is recommended to keep a drinking diary. The “drunk” column takes into account all liquid consumed per day, including drinks, soups, fruits and vegetables. One medium fruit is equal to 50 grams of water.

During the day, you need to collect all urine excreted in one container, and then determine its volume.

Then the amount of fluid drunk in milliliters must be multiplied by 0.75 and thus obtain the normal volume of fluid excreted in milliliters. If in fact it is less, there is swelling.

Treatment of edema during pregnancy

Edema during pregnancy requires constant attention from a doctor so as not to miss the development of gestosis and other complications.

With physiological edema, it is enough to consume less salt and spices, chocolate, caffeine, fatty and fried foods. It is better not to limit liquid. However, reducing salt intake will help to physiologically reduce the amount of water you drink. It is advisable to give up salt altogether or reduce its consumption to 5 grams (one teaspoon) per day. There is no need to add salt to the food on the plate.

A rational organization of activity and rest is necessary. A pregnant woman should walk more, but staying on her feet should be alternated with rest. After every half hour of walking, you can sit down on a bench, take off your shoes and raise your feet on the seat, covering them with a light napkin. IN winter time During the course of a year, walks can be shortened in time, but more frequent.

Lying on your back with your legs up is not recommended, because this compresses the inferior vena cava, which further disrupts venous outflow. The woman should take a semi-sitting position or even lying on her side. It is especially convenient to use special pillows for pregnant women for this purpose, which allow you to lean on your back and elevate your legs.

After consulting a doctor, you can take diuretics for some time, in particular herbal ones (canephron). It should be remembered that furosemide can only be taken for a short course, it is better not to use hypothiazide during pregnancy, and veroshpiron is contraindicated.

Video about edema during pregnancy:

If you notice swelling during pregnancy, don't worry so much. Not all edema poses a threat to your health and the development of your baby, and at some point it is even a normal physiological state. You should figure out what causes swelling and how to deal with it.

Swelling during pregnancy - causes?

You can name at least 5 reasons why swelling appears on your body. Some conditions are normal, others are expected due to a history of chronic diseases, and only edema, as symptoms of gestosis, really poses a threat to your life and the development of the fetus.

Physiological edema

1. 80 percent of healthy pregnant women may experience swelling in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Location: feet and hands;
2. Most often, swelling during late pregnancy is noticeable at the end of the day, after standing or sitting for a long time, or in a static position. After resting and swimming in the pool, such swelling goes away;
3. In this case, the accumulation of fluid in your body is a natural process, as your body prepares for the upcoming birth, and these water reserves should compensate for the upcoming blood loss. Simply in a static position, these waters gather in one place.

I remember that on last weeks I stopped wearing rings during pregnancy and had to put on winter shoes earlier. It was the end of September outside, and my feet couldn’t fit into my boots.

Edema in the presence of chronic diseases

If you were diagnosed with kidney disease, heart disease, or varicose veins before pregnancy, then the likelihood of edema during pregnancy increases.

• In heart failure, the main organ, like a pump, simply cannot cope with the additional load that your body experiences throughout pregnancy, including the circulation of fluid in the body;

The result is swelling in distant parts of the body, for example, the legs, during long periods of standing, or the lower back, when lying on the back.

• In case of kidney problems, swelling, at first, appears on the face, in the form of bags under the eyes;

As a rule, complications such as edema of the whole body are not allowed by the attending physician, since pregnant women diagnosed with kidney disease are specially registered, take special medications and adhere to a diet.

Without treatment, the kidneys cannot pass fluid in full, which is why fluid stagnation occurs in the body. By the way, in the case of kidney diseases, swelling is visible in the morning.

• Varicose veins are another obvious cause of tissue swelling;

The walls of blood vessels are damaged and water simply goes into the intercellular space. Stagnation of fluid can be explained by hormonal levels and compression of the vena cava as the uterus grows. In this case, it is important to rest more, lying on your left side or swimming in the pool.

Swelling as a symptom of gestosis

Swelling, with pressure, in the third trimester (to know what is normal and what is not during this period, read the article 3rd trimester of pregnancy >>>), in the presence of protein in urine tests, can signal dangerous disease– gestosis or, as it is also called, late toxicosis.

1. Liquid accumulation, in this case, can be observed already with;
2. Swelling, in the case of gestosis, is a consequence of a conflict between your body and the child, namely the placenta, which, even to the detriment of the mother’s body, will actively extract the necessary nutrients for the fetus.

• Due to certain reasons, such as weak walls of blood vessels, due to a lack of albumin protein, water comes out, and the blood itself becomes thicker;
• Blood circulation slows down, but the placenta requires nutrients for the child and provokes a narrowing of blood vessels by increasing pressure on them;
• Blood, at first, will indeed move faster, but such tension negatively affects the structure of blood vessels, and damage occurs;
• Platelets will tend to these places and, as a result, the formation of blood clots. This process gradually spreads throughout the body;
• Hence - disruption of blood flow, increased blood pressure, swelling. Please note that a blood test for this condition shows a significant increase in hemoglobin, which is not typical in the second half of pregnancy. Study the question of what tests are taken during pregnancy >>>.

Regular urine and blood tests, weight control, as there is so-called hidden swelling, and blood pressure control will allow you to identify gestosis in a timely manner.

Swelling of different parts of the body

Fluid retention in the body can be manifested by swelling of various parts of the body and, precisely on this basis, it is often possible to indicate the cause of the pathology.

Swelling of the legs

Swelling of the legs at the bottom, during late pregnancy, is the most common phenomenon. You've probably noticed how the skin is pressed in where the elastic of the sock is, and after you take off your shoes after a long walk or standing, it becomes simply impossible to put on tight shoes.

1. If, after a short rest with your legs elevated or taking a relaxing foot bath, the swelling goes away on its own, there is no reason to worry (by the way, a useful article: Is it possible to steam your legs during pregnancy?>>>);
2. Another thing is when swelling spreads throughout the body and your health deteriorates, then additional examination is necessary to determine the causes of the swelling.

Swelling of the hands

It is swelling of the hands that is most often accompanied by pain syndromes.

• You may feel tingling or numbness in your fingers. But what’s interesting is that swelling of the hands very rarely hides a real threat;
• Such swelling occurs when the hands are in one position for a long time, for example, when working on the keyboard, knitting or writing;
• The liquid in such an awkward position circulates poorly and stagnates. IN large quantities it affects the nerve running in the wrist, hence the unpleasant sensations.

By the way! The secret to how to relieve swelling of the hands during pregnancy is quite simple - do mini-exercises for your hands more often, change your position, and you can put a special pad under your wrists near the computer.

• You may observe swelling of the fingers, very noticeable in the ring area. Fluid stagnation can be caused by poor diet, with an abundance of salt and spices, as well as large consumption of the wrong liquid, such as soda.

In it you will find a set of products for better nutrition to prevent swelling, nausea and shortness of breath.

You will learn to correct many pregnancy conditions by adjusting your diet,

Learn about three types of foods that should be on your menu to prepare for a natural and easy birth

Swelling of the nose

The causes of nasal swelling in pregnant women can be

1. Cold;
2. Or a physiological feature;

Swelling of the nasopharynx can be caused by hormonal changes in the body at the very beginning of pregnancy. There is a process of active accumulation of fluid necessary for the development of your baby, and swelling of the entire face, lips, and nose is observed.

But the fact that the cause of rhinitis is physiological does not allow the development of a runny nose to take its course. You need to choose safe drops and irrigate your nose with saline solution. If the so-called runny nose of pregnancy is not treated, the fetus may be at risk of oxygen starvation.

Important! If your nose swells during pregnancy due to allergies, it is important to identify the irritating component and remove it. Antiallergic drugs cannot be taken during pregnancy unless prescribed by a specialist.

You can find a lot of useful information in the article posted on the website: Runny nose during pregnancy >>>.

External and internal swelling

In addition to external visual swelling of the limbs or certain parts of the body, internal edema is rarely diagnosed.

During pregnancy, this is a rather dangerous manifestation that is difficult to identify, given the absence of external signs. You must understand that the causes of edema, both hidden and external, are the same.

But if you start to fight a visual problem at the first manifestations, then the hidden ones will remain hidden for a long time without prevention and treatment.

You should know what to pay attention to in order to recognize internal swelling in time:

• Weight jumps. During a normal pregnancy, your weight should increase evenly every week. If you observe unsystematic jumps in body weight, you need to be wary;
• Control of fluid release. You need to monitor how much liquid you drink and how much comes out in your urine. Normally, the body should excrete ¾ of the volume of fluid drunk. Such control measurements must be made over several days;
• Measurements. Ankles are a great indicator of swelling. It is necessary to measure the girth of a given part of the body, and if there is an increase of at least a centimeter, swelling occurs.

Hidden edema requires the same treatment and prevention as external edema.

How to determine edema during pregnancy

Only hidden swellings require special diagnostics, while external ones are visible to the naked eye.

1. It is enough to press on the skin and if a dent forms in this place and does not straighten for a long time, then swelling occurs;
2. Another obvious indicator is a ring on your finger. If yesterday you easily removed it, but today it holds tightly to your finger, as if squeezing it, swelling is obvious.

The limbs, back, lower abdomen, face, even the nasopharynx can swell. Most often, swelling is noticeable in the last weeks of pregnancy, especially in the evening.

Why are doctors afraid of this?

You should know that not all swelling is dangerous and, in most cases, goes away easily after rest and dietary adjustments.

Important! Please note that you should never reduce the amount of liquid, and you don’t need to completely eliminate salt. The main thing why edema is dangerous during pregnancy and why doctors are so afraid of it is the possibility of developing gestosis, one of the symptoms of which is edema.

Edema can also signal problems with the kidneys or heart.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle and healthy eating– the main aspects of preventing edema during pregnancy.

• Alternating periods of activity and rest. When resting, your legs should be elevated. If swelling occurs due to the fault of the kidneys, then the ideal position for sleeping would be lying on the left side;
• Walking is required. Read about where, when and how much it is useful to walk in the article Walking during pregnancy >>>;
• Swimming, foot baths, massage;
• The diet should be rich in protein, vitamins, salt is present, but in moderation. Liquids - at least 2 liters per day;
• Clothes should not be restrictive or tight, and shoes should be as comfortable and flat as possible.

What to control so as not to miss gestosis?

One of the obvious symptoms of gestosis is swelling of the legs during pregnancy after 22 weeks.

What to do to avoid missing the development of this disease?

1. Weight control and monitoring of edema;
2. Regular testing and monitoring of hemoglobin growth and the presence of protein in the blood. The first should not increase significantly, and the second should be absent altogether;
3. Blood pressure control.

Remember that edema can be hidden, therefore, if you suspect it, you should consult a nephrologist or urologist.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time. Most women expect and fear it, but at the same time, their hearts skip a beat before the great mystery of development in the womb and the birth of a new person. Over the next forty weeks, expectant mother will be followed by a series of “side” effects: toxicosis, shortness of breath, urinary incontinence and swelling of the extremities. Edema is a phenomenon that requires special attention, since its causes are hidden not only in the fact of the occurrence interesting situation, but also in many other hidden circumstances.

Causes and symptoms of edema in pregnant women at different stages

The natural cause of edema is a complete restructuring of the body to work in a new mode. Conception changes instantly hormonal background and launches the internal processes of preparing a woman’s body for bearing a child. The volume of blood and other physiological fluids gradually increases, and their biochemical composition also changes.

In addition to physiologically normal causes of edema, there are also pathological factors:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• kidney problems;
• phlebeurysm;
• allergy;
• gestosis.

The above conditions provoke the occurrence of severe swelling throughout the body. Additional factors that cause swelling during pregnancy:

• incorrect and inactive lifestyle;
• unhealthy diet;
• insufficient drinking regime;
• disproportionate alternation of sleep and physical activity.

Swelling of the arms, legs, abdomen and other hidden swelling appears. They manifest themselves in the form of a feeling of heat, tingling in the limbs, and too rapid weight gain. The physiological norm is edema during late pregnancy, which appears in the evening and disappears the next morning. If the swelling hurts, does not go away and leads to other discomfort, it is better to consult a doctor immediately, without waiting for the date of the scheduled examination.

Swelling associated with heart disease

It was previously said that pregnancy is a huge burden on the body of the expectant mother. If pregnancy occurs against the background of cardiovascular diseases, observing doctors have a number of serious concerns for the health of the fetus and the pregnant woman.

Women with diagnosed heart defects are at risk, hypertension, rheumatoid heart lesions. While carrying a baby, the course of these diseases worsens, in some cases even worsens. A sharp increase in weight occurs, an additional circulatory circuit is added, the amount of blood increases, and accordingly, the heart and blood vessels have to do more work.

Starting from the end of the second and the entire third trimester, the enlarged fetus and amniotic fluid displace the internal organs, pushing them aside. The hardest thing is for the heart, it moves up and is pressed tightly against the lungs. The heart muscle cannot cope with pumping blood, which has added intercellular fluid, which is how internal edema occurs during pregnancy.

If a woman already has cardiac problems, such changes add stress. Internal edema (eg, pulmonary edema) leads to difficulty breathing, lack of oxygen, decreased cardiac output, and the development of heart failure.

Kidney diseases

Among the obvious enemies of pregnant women, kidney problems are not the least important. According to statistics, from 2 to 15% of pregnant women suffer from impaired renal function.

Kidney diseases that lead to edema:

• cystitis;
• pyelonephritis;
• kidney stone disease.

Most often, kidney diseases worsen in those women who previously had similar problems. Under the pressure of the additional weight of the enlarged uterus, the urinary tract and inferior vena cava are pinched, and the bladder is compressed. Thus, new inflammations arise and existing ones worsen. The kidneys stop correctly performing their excretory function excess liquid from the body, it begins to migrate and turns into edema. Feature Such edema is that it appears in the 1st trimester and accompanies the pregnant woman until childbirth.

Phlebeurysm

Varicose veins may appear during pregnancy for the first time or worsen, creating a lot of discomfort over 40 weeks (we recommend reading: prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy). Causes of varicose veins in pregnant women:

• physiological changes in the structure of the veins (the elasticity and looseness of the walls increases);
• increased blood volume;
• heart rate is higher than normal;
• compression of the femoral veins and inferior vena cava.

Due to varicose veins, a woman’s legs become very swollen, nodes and vascular blue “stars” appear, heaviness, heat and pain are felt in the legs. Another sign of this pathology is the appearance of night cramps in the legs, which are especially obvious and frequent in the 3rd trimester.

The danger of varicose veins for pregnant women is that due to physiological compression in the cavity of the deformed veins, the outflow of blood is disrupted. Blood clots can form and slowly migrate from the veins in the legs to other internal organs, which can lead to complications and other diseases.

Allergic reactions

According to statistics, about 5-20% of cases of allergic reactions occur in pregnant women. The load of pregnancy on a woman’s body and immunity, active intake of foods containing vitamins - all these factors increase the possibility of allergies in pregnant women, which can occur in mild or severe forms. Mild forms include allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and local urticaria. Severe manifestations of allergic reactions include anaphylactic shock, generalized urticaria, Quincke's edema.

Biologically active substances, produced by the body to counteract the allergen, increase tissue permeability and cause vasodilation. This is how allergic swelling is formed.

Preeclampsia in pregnant women

Preeclampsia is a severe form of complications during pregnancy. The functioning of the kidneys, heart, brain and cordially- vascular system, headaches, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting appear. Clinical signs are the presence of protein in urine tests, high blood pressure.

Preeclampsia symptoms increase the risk of multiple internal edema of the pregnant woman’s body. Swelling of the abdomen during pregnancy is a characteristic pathology of gestosis, which is the first alarm signal.

Most often, gestosis begins to appear around the 35th week of pregnancy. There are cases when a dangerous condition begins in the 2nd trimester. The earlier, the worse the prognosis for the woman and fetus. If signs of gestosis appear at 36-37 weeks, the likelihood of a successful outcome increases.

Types of edema by severity

The excess fluid accumulated in the body normally does not exceed 30%. Severe swelling occurs at 50% or more. Classification of edema according to its severity includes four types:

1. shins swell;
2. the feet and lower third of the abdomen swell;
3. the face and hands swell;
4. dropsy or late toxicosis of pregnancy.

Diagnostic procedures

Diagnosis of the presence of edema in pregnant women and determination of the severity is carried out in three ways:

• visually;
• method of collecting symptomatic history;
• clinical methods.

Visually recognizing whether there is swelling is a method that is used during a direct consultation with a doctor. The doctor checks the fingers (whether the rings can be removed), presses the fingers in the ankle area, visually determines the depth of the hole formed and the time it disappears. The larger the depression and the longer it takes to disappear, the more pronounced the swelling.

Collecting symptoms in anamnesis is a way to check the severity of swelling in a pregnant woman at different stages. The doctor asks a number of questions about the presence of sensations characteristic of edema: burning sensation, itching, tingling, distension, and others.

Clinical methods:

• weight difference control;
• measuring the circumference of arms, legs, abdomen;
• study of diuresis (the difference between the fluid drunk and excreted);
• McClure-Aldrich test.

How to get rid of puffiness at home?

The first step to getting rid of edema is to identify the triggering factors for its appearance. If swelling is caused by the presence of any diseases, you should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment with the recommended medicines. When swelling occurs for physiological reasons, you can get rid of it using folk methods at home.

If your hands swell during pregnancy, the pregnant woman may be wearing clothes that are too tight, which pinches the tissue. You definitely need to do relaxing gymnastics, change your body position, take the load off your legs, while constantly sitting or standing. Massage also helps; in later stages (36, 37 weeks and before giving birth), it is better to ask someone close to you to massage.

Cool water procedures help relieve symptoms; the water temperature should be 35-37 degrees. Wearing compression tights, starting from early stages, - effective method avoid stagnation of blood in the legs and the formation of blood clots with varicose veins.

Use of medications

Medicines are prescribed exclusively by the treating doctor; self-medication is dangerous and has unpredictable consequences. Based on the characteristics of each individual pregnancy, doctors prescribe a variety of tablets, syrups and ointments to treat edema and related conditions. These could be diuretics, anti-varicose ointments, antihistamines, serious medications for the treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases.

Special diet

Often the cause of swelling is poor nutrition of the expectant mother. Consuming salt and water in excessive amounts contributes to the accumulation of fluid and makes it difficult to remove it. A diet rich in diuretic foods (parsley, carrots, cucumbers, celery, asparagus, pumpkin, watermelon, ginger, melon, citrus fruits, cranberries, lingonberries and others) will help remove swelling.

To avoid allergic reactions, be sure to follow the measure. The diet involves reducing the amount of salt in the diet and limiting the amount of liquid you drink per day.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine also has a wide range of remedies for edema during pregnancy, which are easy to prepare at home. The basis of recipes used to treat edema are diuretic infusions and herbal teas(we recommend reading: diuretic infusions for edema in pregnant women).

A proven remedy is a decoction of dried fruits or rose hips. To relieve moderate swelling, it is recommended to drink freshly prepared berry juice made from lingonberries and cranberries. The expectant mother's diet will become more balanced if she adds a smoothie made from cucumber, beets and carrots. Despite the availability and safety traditional methods, before you start fighting swelling, you will need to consult a doctor.

What can be the consequences of swelling during pregnancy for the woman and the fetus?

The answer to the question why women's limbs swell in early stages and the last weeks of pregnancy, clear. Physiologically normal edema does not cause harm to the expectant mother and the child. The threat is posed by hidden and extensive tissue swelling, as well as the diseases that cause them.

The accumulation of excess fluid contributes to compression of the walls of blood vessels and their damage. The expectant mother develops varicose veins, blood supply is disrupted, oxygen starvation develops, which is dangerous due to delays in the baby's development, hypoxia, premature aging and placental abruption. The listed consequences cause concern for future parents, so it is better to rush to an appointment in advance to reduce the risks of complications.

Prevention of edema in pregnant women

The best prevention is prevention. Planning a pregnancy will help identify conditions that can cause the accumulation of excess fluid in the body.

Preventive measures include:

• healthy eating;
• regulation of the volume of clean water consumed;
• limiting the amount of salt in the diet;
• weight control;
• normal motor activity;
• keeping a diary of your condition.

Edema during pregnancy is not a rare phenomenon. Almost every woman in the last weeks of gestation faces this problem, but the disorder can be expressed to varying degrees. You also need to understand that the cause of edema can be different; sometimes this symptom is a sign of a severe pathology that is life-threatening for the mother and child.

Causes of edema during pregnancy

Edema is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the body. This phenomenon can be observed locally, for example with an injury or insect bite, or throughout the body. As a rule, general edema is always associated with a pathological condition that affects the entire woman’s body.

Edema occurs when there is fluid in the body and tissue that retains water.

If a woman drinks a lot, for example in hot weather, then the likelihood of edema increases. Moreover, if the patient drinks drinks that retain fluid in the body, for example salty mineral water, lemonades, sweet fruit drinks and juices, as well as alcoholic drinks.

Edema can be a consequence of pathology of internal organs. Thus, cardiac and renal edema are isolated, and the disorder also manifests itself when diabetes mellitus and hormonal imbalance in women. Pregnancy is a condition that itself increases the likelihood of developing edema, and this is not always associated with a serious illness.

The fact is that for the proper development of the fetus, it is necessary to increase the supply of fluid in a woman’s body. Part of the water is used to produce blood to provide nutrition to the fetus. Several liters are needed to fill the fetal bladder with amniotic fluid. Water is also needed to prepare the mammary glands for feeding the baby.

Thus, the amount of total fluid in a pregnant woman’s body increases by about 8 liters by the end of the third trimester. And the body does not always successfully remove excess, so water can accumulate in the tissues of the body and the formation of edema of varying degrees.

Pathological edema can occur for several reasons; the mechanism of development of the pathology is quite complex. The following diseases cause general edema during pregnancy:

• Heart pathologies. In this case, the speed of blood flow is disrupted, which leads to the release of fluid from the vessels into the surrounding tissues. The swelling takes a long time to form, it is quite dense, and concomitant cardiac symptoms are also observed. For example, shortness of breath at rest, rapid heartbeat, pale skin, chest pain, etc.
• Kidney disease. In this case, the kidneys cannot cope with the flow of fluid, which leads to its accumulation in the body. Signs of renal edema: pale skin, swelling of the eyelids, poor appetite, protein in the urine, the edema itself is mild and affects the entire body.
• Hypertension. With increased pressure, vascular permeability increases and fluid enters the surrounding tissues, causing damage to the kidneys and urinary system. As a consequence - the formation of edema. Usually, in this case, the legs and face swell first.

All these disorders in pregnant women can be combined into a condition called gestosis or late toxicosis, which forms in the third trimester. Preeclampsia is characterized by impaired cardiac and renal function, increased blood pressure and the formation of edema throughout the body.

Risk factors

Doctors identify a risk group whose women more often suffer from edema and other manifestations of gestosis during pregnancy:

• Too early birth. If a girl becomes pregnant at 15-17 years old, the likelihood of developing gestosis increases greatly. Despite established menstruation, puberty has not yet ended at this age. Unstable hormonal levels often lead to the development of complications during pregnancy.
• Late birth. If a woman becomes pregnant after 35 years, the likelihood of edema also increases. With age, the body wears out, organs function worse than at 20-25 years old, and a history of various diseases does not have the best effect.
• Preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy. If a woman has a tendency to develop edema, then most likely the situation will repeat in subsequent pregnancies. Such women should be under strict medical supervision.
• Severe toxicosis with incessant vomiting in the first half of pregnancy. It may be a consequence of pathology in the body, as well as a cause of impaired renal function.
• Women who have worked or continue to work in hazardous work.
• Unfavorable living conditions, poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, tendency to inflammatory and infectious diseases.
• Multiple births. When carrying two or more children, the load on the body increases even more; the kidneys and heart may not be able to cope with it.

The likelihood of severe gestosis increases greatly if a woman has internal edema that was not detected in a timely manner.

Classification

First of all, it should be noted that swelling can be external and internal. External ones are visible to the naked eye: a woman’s legs and arms swell, her face becomes swollen, and her stomach may become enlarged. Internal swelling is not noticeable externally, which makes it very dangerous. Such a disorder can only be detected by uneven weight gain.

In total, there are 4 degrees of external edema in pregnant women:

1. At the very beginning, swelling appears only on the legs.
2. The legs and lower abdomen are affected.
3. Swelling of the face and hands.
4. The whole body swells, dropsy may appear.

Most often, pregnant women experience grade 1-2 edema, which does not harm the fetus if treated in a timely manner. Edema of the 3rd-4th degree is considered a serious condition that requires hospitalization, sometimes emergency delivery has to be performed - it all depends on the cause of this complication.

Gestosis in pregnant women can also be divided into 4 degrees:

• The formation of dropsy is a local accumulation of fluid in the tissues.
• Nephropathy is kidney damage.
• Preeclampsia - accompanied by severe edema, high blood pressure, and increased protein in the urine.
• Eclampsia is the most severe form of gestosis, causing extremely serious complications, including pulmonary edema, placental abruption, fetal death, and renal failure in the mother.

In some cases, pathology can develop very quickly, so women with even the slightest swelling should be regularly monitored antenatal clinic and get treatment. If the condition worsens, immediate hospitalization is required.

Signs of edema during pregnancy

It is not always easy to detect edema during pregnancy, so a woman should be regularly monitored at the antenatal clinic starting from 12 weeks. This is very important, because only with the help of weight control, urine analysis, ultrasound diagnostics you can accurately track the process of the gestation period.

• legs began to swell in the evenings;
• fingers swell, rings become tight;
• if you press on the skin with your finger, a white spot and dent will form;
• sudden weight gain. Normally, a woman gains 300 grams per week. With edema, weight can jump by 1-1.5 kg or more, although the woman did not change her diet.

Swelling due to gestosis may be accompanied by headaches, increased drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and increased uterine tone.

Diagnosis of edema is the prerogative of a gynecologist. The doctor prescribes a number of tests for the woman, in particular urine and blood tests, measuring the volume of urine excreted per day, and measuring blood pressure. All these procedures help confirm the pathology and identify its causes.

Treatment of edema in pregnant women

Treatment of edema during pregnancy is carried out strictly under the supervision of a doctor. There is no question of any self-medication; this is indeed a very dangerous condition that can lead to the death of the child and the woman herself.

Treatment is usually medication. Prescribed drugs to lower blood pressure, diuretics, and a diet for edema. If the cause of edema is, for example, inflammatory disease kidneys (pyelonephritis), then a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed.

The diet for edema will be different, depending on the cause of its development.

For gestosis, a balanced diet with an increased amount of protein is prescribed. If kidney function is impaired, for example due to inflammation, protein is removed from the diet in the first few days of treatment to make it easier for the kidneys to work. Then protein foods are gradually introduced in small quantities.

It is also necessary to maintain a drinking regime. It is very important to drink enough fluid, at least 1.5 liters, but not to overuse it. Lack of water, as well as excess, leads to disruption of the vascular system and the formation of edema.

The same thing happens with salt. Complete exclusion of salt threatens to disrupt the function of the endothelium (the layer in the blood vessels), which is responsible for vascular tone. Impaired contractility leads to increased capillary permeability and edema.

Excessive salt consumption also has a negative effect, because sodium chloride tends to retain fluid in the body. Therefore, salt is not completely eliminated, but its amount is reduced to 3-3.5 grams per day.

As you can see, the diet for edema can be different, so you don’t need to limit yourself too much. It is enough to exclude very salty, spicy, sweet, fatty foods from the diet. It is better to drink simply purified water without gas, and steam, bake and boil food. It is very important that meals are divided, 5-6 times a day in small portions, so that it is easier for the body to cope.

• fresh cranberries, cranberry juice and juice;
• lingonberry juice, a decoction of lingonberry leaves;
• watermelons;
• cucumbers;
• fresh pumpkin juice;
• grapefruits, etc.

You can also alleviate your condition with physical activity. Anti-edema exercises for pregnant women help improve blood circulation and fluid drainage. Swimming is one of the most beneficial physical activities. Daily walking is also useful, but not too long, about 30-60 minutes a day, optimally 30 minutes in the morning and evening.

You can do a simple and effective exercise at home. You need to get on all fours and, one by one, smoothly pull one leg towards your stomach, then straighten it back, repeat 5 times. Return to the starting position and perform the exercise on the other leg.

Prevention of edema during pregnancy

To prevent edema during pregnancy, you must:

• take a responsible approach to pregnancy planning, undergo a course of treatment for diseases if necessary;
• It is advisable to become pregnant between the ages of 20 and 30;
• be in comfortable conditions, live in a dry, warm room, dress in clean clothes;
• establish nutrition - it should be healthy, balanced;
• avoid a passive lifestyle, but do not abuse physical activity;
• be regularly examined at the antenatal clinic, take vitamins as needed and follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Most often, edema during gestosis in pregnant women in the third trimester is associated with a hereditary predisposition, which is quite difficult to combat. A woman can reduce the risk of complications if she follows preventive measures and is examined. Timely detection of edema will help to take timely measures to eliminate it and prevent it. premature birth and other complications.