Pregnancy is such a wonderful experience, isn’t it?
Well, that is until you start to notice your feet swelling and aching and becoming a real pain. Literally.
You’ve been warned about nausea, but no one mentions what happens to your feet. Swelling, also called edema, is common among pregnant women. In fact, one of the most common complaints of pregnant women is feet and leg pain, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it! We are going to share some things you can do to remedy the swelling and aches.
(And we will get to that in just a second, but first…)
What is causing the swelling and achiness?
During pregnancy, there is a lot going on with your body. During your first trimester, you may notice some swelling, but not much. If you notice a lot of swelling during this time, along with dizziness, headaches, or bleeding, it’s best to call your doctor.
The second trimester is when you are more likely to start to notice additional swelling in your feet. It’s during this time that there is an increased volume of blood and fluid that is being produced in your body. During your pregnancy, this increased volume is about 50%!
The third trimester is when most women start to notice swelling in their feet. This is still due to the increase in blood and fluid, along with changing hormones that want to retain that fluid and a heavier uterus that is protecting and carrying a growing baby.
Some other causes of swelling and achiness in your feet during pregnancy include:
- Standing for too long
- Hot weather
- Not enough water
- Not enough potassium
- Too much caffeine
- Too much salt
How can you prevent swelling and achiness?
Rest
Take a break and put those feet up! Try to stay off your feet as much as possible and be sure to elevate your feet above your heart.
Drink plenty of water
Being dehydrated will cause an increase in swelling. Be sure to drink plenty of water, which will also flush the salt out of your body. Stay away from caffeine as this will contribute to swelling feet.
Stay away from salt
Salt will increase retention of fluids and cause swelling to increase. Be sure to limit your salt intake where possible.
Wear compression stockings
Compression socks help massage the muscles which move the blood from your lower extremities, upward.
Be active
Make sure you are staying active. Going for a walk will help circulate the blood.
Sleep on your side
If you tend to sleep on your back, you’ll notice that the further along you get in your pregnancy, the harder this is to do. That is because sleeping on your back will put a lot of pressure on the vena cava, the largest vein that leads to the heart. Sleeping on your back will slow down blood flow to the lower extremities.
Wear comfortable shoes
We know you want to keep wearing those sexy heels, but if your feet are swollen, they probably don’t fit the way they should anyhow. Consider inserts or orthotics to reduce the aches and pains in your feet. Once you get home, slip on a soft pair of slippers or go barefoot.
These tips on how to care for your feet will help you alleviate swelling and aches in your feet. However, if you are extremely uncomfortable or have concerns, it’s always best to discuss this with your physician.
