During pregnancy a woman’s body undergoes various changes. These changes prepare her body for the birth of a new human being. These changes can be quite difficult to experience as they often times change the physical appearance of the woman. One of such is the swelling of body parts during pregnancy.
Many pregnant women experience swelling during pregnancy. This includes swollen feet, swollen hands, swollen necks and swollen nose. Note that they do not experience swelling in all these body parts but that the swelling may occur in these body parts. The nature of swelling and the part of the body where the swelling occurs differs from woman to woman. But what causes this swelling during pregnancy?
Swelling occurs as a result of fluid retention. The body retains fluid to support and protect the fetus that is growing and developing inside the woman. Swelling is mostly common in the feet however it can occur in other parts of the body. Here are a few things pregnant women can do to minimize swelling during pregnancy;
1. Avoid sitting for long periods of time
2. Physiotherapy such as massaging to improve the circulation of fluids to prevent fluid retention
3. Engaging in exercise to keep active. Keep in mind that you should consult your doctor before engaging in any exercise.
4. Maintain cool body temperature by staying indoors when it is hot outside
5. Reduce the amount of salt you consume
6. Avoid wearing tight clothing, instead wear loose comfortable clothing.
Swelling during pregnancy is not a critical condition. However, there are cases where swelling could be as a result of serious medical conditions. These include;
1. Deep vein thrombosis: this occurs as a result of a blood clot developing in the vein. The risk of deep vein thrombosis is higher in pregnant women compared to women who are not pregnant.
2. Preeclampsia: a condition that causes sudden swelling in the feet. It can also cause puffy eyes and face.
You should consult your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms;
1. Sudden swelling of the hands and feet
2. Blurred vision
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Swelling that does not reduce even after exercise View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
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