Swollen feet, leg and ankle is common in pregnancy, that swelling in your feet, leg and ankles is called edema, and it can be very uncomfortable.
This is what happens when your body is having trouble fighting gravity to move blood and fluids back up your legs, and as a result excess fluid has stored up in your body, so your ankles, feet, and even your legs can begin to swell.
It is likely you have edema during the first trimester or if you are carrying twins, edema is not harmful, but it can be highly uncomfortable, for you may find it hard to lift your hands or legs. It especially becomes worse at the end of the day and during dry season.
However, the swelling disappears shortly after you deliver your baby, it will gradually fade away as your body pass out the the excess fluid which is the primary cause of the swelling.
So to minimize the swell in your leg, ankle and feet, follow the natural remedies below.
1. Get a Massage
A foot massage can help your circulation, you can do this yourself, or you may persuade your oga to give you a massage. You can also get a massage from a massage therapist, a massage therapist can help you massage the swollen parts, all you have to do is be specific about where you want them to massage, don’t fail to tell the massage therapist this details for they might focus on massaging other parts of the body that are not your main concern.
2. Stay Hydrated
Drinking more water can help you retain less fluid, so try to drink like 8-10 glasses of water in a day. You can also add slices of cucumber, lemon or water melon to your glass of water to spice it up and make you drink more.
3. Lift up Your legs
Don’t stand for too long, raising your leg to at least 12 inches above your heart level while resting can increase circulation thereby reducing the swell
4. Stretch your legs frequently while sitting
When you are sitting down, do not cross your leg or ankle, also stretch your leg from time to time. Stretch out your leg, heel first, and gently flex your foot to stretch your calf muscles. Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes.This will help reduce the swelling.
5. Exercise
We recommend that you exercise regularly by walking, swimming, jogging or any other mild exercise that you can engage in which will not require you stressing yourself too much.
6. Soak yourself in water
You can soak your legs in water, swim, or float in the water, you will be surprised at how much the swelling will be reduced, the pressure from the water will reduce the swell and also give your legs the opportunity to be away from the ground. If its affecting only your legs you can pour water in a bucket, but if it affects your whole body, then bathe in a bathtub or a swimming pool. If you don’t own a bathtub or a swimming pool visit the gym or a recreation centre.
7. Eat well
Mind what you eat, eat healthy foods and avoid eating junk. You can also eat fruits like cucumber, water melon, golden melon and other fruits that has high water content.
8. Avoid too much salt
Excess salt is a big contributor to swelling, and increasing your salt intake can increase your system salt level, if possible avoid salt totally through out the period of your pregnancy, and also minimize your intake of sodium.
9. Avoid hot environment
Heat increases the swelling, so if possible avoid warm, humid environments and stay in a cool environment.
10. Supplement
Visit your doctor, and request that he recommend supplements that will help in reducing the swelling, you can also try a magnesium supplement because magnesium deficiency can contribute to edema, and taking a supplement can help give you some relief.
If you discover your face is swelling up or puffy and you notice your hands, legs and ankle is swelling up excessively, see a medical doctor as this may be a sign of preeclampsia which is a serious situation.
Also if one leg is much more swollen than the other, see or call your doctor, as this may signal blood clot. And although swelling of the hands, ankle, and legs during pregnancy is normal it is however not normal when it is in excess. If you experience any of these symptoms stated below call your doctor immediately
- The swollen part becomes painful
- The redness of the swollen area starts spreading to other parts of the body
- Red streaking appears in your legs
- You can’t rest on the affected foot again
- All of the home remedies you tried did not work
- Swelling does not go down within 24 hours
There is however no need to call your doctor if the swelling goes down within 24 hours, since it could be just normal swelling, and even if it reduces you still have to tell your doctor about it on your next appointment with him so he can rightly advice you.
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