Edema during pregnancy, what to do. Treatment of edema during pregnancy: eliminating a dangerous condition. What week does edema appear during pregnancy?

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Almost every pregnant woman knows what edema is and how to deal with it. But not everyone thinks about the nature of this phenomenon. Meanwhile, the formation of edema can be either a completely harmless physiological process or a symptom of a serious pathology.

What are the dangers of edema during pregnancy?

In most cases, edema in pregnant women is physiological and does not harm either the expectant mother or her baby. To reduce them, it is enough to follow a simple diet and at the end of the day lie down with your legs in an elevated position. More dangerous is the swelling that accompanies gestosis - late toxicosis. Here, the consequences of inattention to one’s health can be extremely severe:

preeclampsia. A severe complication, manifested by abdominal pain, fever, confused speech, and blurred vision. Sometimes a woman behaves inappropriately and complains of feeling unwell;
eclampsia. An even more serious complication may be accompanied by convulsions and cardiac arrest. In extremely rare situations, death occurs. Only a doctor can explain how to relieve an acute condition or prevent it altogether.

In severe forms of gestosis, both mother and child suffer. Sometimes doctors decide to induce premature labor.

Swelling can also signal other diseases:

disturbances in the functioning of the heart. With such pathologies, swelling is located in the lower part of the body. The woman’s liver enlarges, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and blue lips appear. If the totality of symptoms is not taken into account, you can end up in the hospital with serious heart problems;
renal dysfunction. Edema may be one of the signs of nephropathy, pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis. At the first stage, pain appears, then the arms and legs swell. This condition is accompanied by the presence of protein in the urine and high blood pressure. The disease must be treated.

How to determine edema during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the tissues of the female body intensively accumulate water necessary for the normal development of the fetus and the stable occurrence of important physiological processes. allows you to notice in time the period when there is too much liquid.

The process of edema formation occurs gradually. Regardless of the cause, doctors define 4 stages in it:

1. Slight swelling of the feet and legs appears. The elastic bands of socks leave a deep, long-lasting mark on the shin.
2. Swelling of the feet begins, swelling of the abdomen in its lower part, swelling of the labia, swelling of the fingers, swelling of the hands. The expectant mother begins to feel uncomfortable in her usual shoes. The ankle becomes noticeably wider, and the foot becomes unusually thick. When pressure is applied to the top of the foot or lower leg, a dimple is formed that does not immediately smooth out. The rings became difficult to remove or put on the fingers.
3. Visible swelling of the face, swelling of the nose, and hands appears.
4. Dropsy of pregnancy develops - generalized edema.

Edema can also be hidden, when it is impossible to recognize it visually. In this case, the following methods are used for diagnosis:

1. McClure-Aldrich test. The procedure is performed by a nurse. A pregnant woman is injected subcutaneously with a small amount of saline and the time is noted until it is completely absorbed. If the drug remains in place after 35 minutes, it means there is too much water in the body;
2. Regular weighing. Weight gain should not exceed 400 grams per week. If the mass increases faster, and this is combined with high blood pressure and poor urine tests, the woman may have hidden edema;
3. diuresis study. The woman is asked to measure the amount of liquid she drinks, including soups, and the amount of urine she passes throughout the day. Normally, the volume ratio is approximately 4:3.

Both external and internal swelling should not be ignored, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. A doctor's consultation is required.

Treatment of edema in pregnant women

Identifying the cause and treating edema during pregnancy is a matter for the doctor. Most of our and foreign experts believe that slight physiological swelling of the legs and feet does not require special treatment. It is enough to follow a certain diet and rest, keeping your legs elevated. But some gynecologists believe that even the initial manifestations should not be ignored. A pregnant woman should listen to the doctor she is seeing.

1. Wearing compression stockings. This is especially important if a woman has problems with her blood vessels. Special stockings or tights reduce blood pressure and help. The doctor will also tell you what gel or ointment can be used to eliminate varicose veins.
2. Taking vitamins B (Magne B6), E, lipoic acid. The medicine will strengthen the walls of blood vessels and will not allow water to penetrate from the blood into the surrounding tissues.
3. Medicines Canephron, Cyston, Fitolysin. The tablets improve kidney function and have a weak diuretic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect. Medicines can also be prescribed as a dropper, but only a doctor always makes the prescription. You cannot take medications on your own, as there is a risk of a negative impact on the child’s development.
4. Antispasmodics: no-spa, aminophylline intramuscularly or in tablets.
5. Essentiale or Riboxin, previously diluted with the patient’s blood, is prescribed intravenously to stimulate myocardial metabolism. Folic acid is prescribed for the same purpose.
6. Drugs that increase the production of atrial hormone: methionine, potassium orotate, nicotinic acid.
7. Short-term diuretics for severe edema in a hospital setting: hypothiazide, furosemide with simultaneous administration of potassium supplements.

When the situation requires medical intervention, it is not enough to know how to treat and how to relieve swelling during pregnancy. It is important to additionally select medications that improve blood flow in the placenta in order to prevent fetal hypoxia. The doctor decides what medications and in what dosages should be taken based on the results of an examination of the pregnant patient.

Diet for edema during pregnancy

When asked what to do if swelling appears, the doctor will definitely say: follow a diet. The diet must be balanced in such a way that salt consumption is reduced. This substance promotes water retention in tissues and should therefore be avoided whenever possible. Drinking is limited to 1000 ml per day for the entire treatment period. Here are some more recommendations:

1. Avoid sweet and carbonated drinks that increase thirst. In hot weather, it is better to drink plain water in small sips or take a shower. Although, today many experts say that you cannot limit yourself in drinking and call the figure of liquid consumption about 1.5-2 liters per day, excluding soups.
2. Avoid smoked and fried foods, try not to use spices in cooking. It is better to steam food.
3. Be sure to eat protein-rich foods every day: fish, cottage cheese, meat.
4. Include large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables that a woman is accustomed to eating before pregnancy. It is better to avoid exotic fruits and berries. It is unknown how the body will react to new foods while in this state.
5. Eat celery, parsley, watercress, apples. In small quantities they have a diuretic effect.

It is worth asking your doctor for help in planning your diet. Such an easy diet will benefit both mother and baby.

Folk remedies for edema during pregnancy

There are a lot of folk recipes, but none of them can be called universal. For one woman, the herb helps get rid of swelling, while for another it worsens the condition. Each pregnancy proceeds differently, so it is better to agree on the chosen recipe with a specialist.

You can reduce swelling outside the hospital in the following ways:

1. Take daily walks or do gymnastics if a woman spends most of the day sitting.
2. Brew herbal teas. Rose hips, dill, and lingonberry leaves are used as tea leaves. They have a weak diuretic effect. A fruit drink made from cranberries, dried apricots, lingonberries, and viburnum gives the same effect.
3. Drink birch sap three times a day, a tablespoon.
4. Brew dried apple peel and drink as tea throughout the day.
5. Make foot baths with sea salt.
6. Take an infusion of bear's ear (bearberry).
7. Use kidney teas, which are sold in pharmacies, instead of regular tea.

In case of severe pathologies of the heart or kidneys, a sharp deterioration may occur in a pregnant woman. In order not to put you at risk, each action must be agreed upon with your doctor.

Prevention of edema during pregnancy

Swelling is also an aesthetic problem; numerous photos of swollen ankles are proof of this. To prevent this condition or reduce the risk of its occurrence, it is necessary to take preventive measures:

1. Follow a diet to avoid gaining weight too quickly.
2. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day to stimulate kidney function.
3. Rest with your feet up. It is necessary that the ankles are higher than the level of the hips.
4. Avoid prolonged sitting or standing during the day.
5. Avoid high heels. You will temporarily have to sacrifice your favorite shoes for the sake of your health.

Following these simple recommendations will help a woman endure pregnancy without the formation of severe edema. If, despite all the measures taken, fluid still accumulates in excess, you need to inform your gynecologist about this.

During pregnancy, the volume of fluid circulating in the body almost doubles. So it would seem that there is nothing surprising in the fact that a woman expecting a child sometimes suffers from edema. But doctors consider them an alarming symptom, especially if they are accompanied by increased blood pressure and the appearance of protein in the urine.

So, if the wedding ring does not fit on your finger, and your shoes have become too small, immediately consult a doctor. And you must definitely follow the recommendations that he gives, because self-diagnosis and self-medication will not lead to any good. But prevention is available to every expectant mother.

Eliminate salt

Why? Table salt contains sodium. This element has the property of retaining water in the body. The more salt, the more fluid will remain in the tissues.

How in practice? Remove from the diet (or greatly reduce the dosage) pickles, herring, sauerkraut, black bread, sausage, not to mention such unhealthy, in every sense “garbage” products as crackers, chips, snacks, smoked meats and canned food. It is better to cook even familiar dishes without salt or under-salt.

Important: There is no need to be afraid that you and your baby will not get enough sodium: this element is found in many products in its natural form or in the form of salts.

Eating for two is not only unnecessary, but also undesirable. I'm only 10 kg. gained during this period. Nothing bothered me, but in the last month my legs started to swell a little. The doctor advised rubbing in Thrombocide gel, because... it is safe and effective. I got rid of this problem very quickly.

18.07.2016 11:59:08,

“Important: The average daily caloric content of food intake should not exceed 2800–3500 calories. That is, the expectant mother does not necessarily have to “eat for two.” - if you eat 3500 kcal a day you can become an elephant)))) however..

19.05.2013 12:00:51,

Total 4 messages .

Water as an essential element of pregnancy

As you know, the human body consists of up to 80% water. During gestation, the amount of water increases by 6 - 8 liters, most of which (up to 6 liters) is in an extra-tissue state, and about 3 liters accumulates in the tissues. By the end of gestation, the volume of water increases by another 6 liters, 3 of which are due to the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid, and the rest to the increase in the woman’s circulating blood volume, the growing uterus and mammary glands. This “flood” is a normal state of physiological pregnancy.

The increase in the volume of the liquid part of the blood begins at 8 weeks, while the increase in the number of red blood cells begins at 18 weeks. This is explained by the need to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the fetus - the thinner and more fluid the blood, the faster it delivers.

Mechanism of edema formation

For water to flow to the fetus, it must be in the vascular bed, and not in the tissues or body cavities. The fluid in the blood vessels is held by 2 components:

sodium chloride
protein (albumin).

The protein albumin maintains oncotic pressure in the blood vessels, and sodium retains water in them. If there is a shortage of these substances, the fluid “leaves” into the tissue, that is, there is increased vascular permeability. Albumin is produced by a woman's liver from those amino acids that come with food, that is, it matters how the expectant mother eats.

Sodium chloride comes from food and is also stored by the kidneys. In addition, salt metabolism is regulated by hormones. Thus, there is a second point in the mechanism of edema - a violation of water-salt metabolism, when sodium accumulates in the tissues and attracts water from the vessels. Since the liquid part of the blood becomes small, it thickens, that is, against the background of visible or hidden edema, the mother’s body experiences dehydration ().

Classification of edema

Edema can be both physiological, that is, those that go away on their own when the provoking factors are eliminated, and pathological, caused by some medical problem. The line dividing edema into “normal” and pathological is quite fluid, and it is very difficult to draw it, and one should take into account not only the gestational age and concomitant pathology, but also the woman’s age, the number of fetuses gestated, her height and constitutional features.

Edema is also classified according to its prevalence:

I degree – swelling of the legs (most often the feet and legs) and hands;
II degree – swelling “rises” to the anterior wall of the abdomen and the lumbosacral region;
III degree - not only the lower limbs and abdomen swell, but also the face;
IV degree – generalized edema or anasarca.

Depending on the origin, edema is divided into:

hydremic – caused by diseases of the urinary system;
cardiac – arise as a result of cardiovascular pathology;
cachectic or dystrophic due to exhaustion;
inflammatory arise as a result of the formation of a focus of inflammation (traumatic, allergic, neurotic and toxic);
congestive edema appears with venous diseases (varicose veins, thrombosis and thrombophlebitis).

Causes of edema

Physiological edema may appear for the following reasons:

hot and muggy weather;
excessive physical stress on the legs (prolonged standing, walking) or on the arms (working at the computer, writing);
flat feet;
wearing tight shoes or high heels;
prolonged sitting on soft and low seats;
the habit of crossing your legs when sitting;
errors in diet (excessive consumption of salty and spicy foods);
overweight;
large volume of the uterus (in late gestation or during multiple pregnancy) - the uterus compresses the inferior vena cava and disrupts blood flow in the lower body and legs;
short stature;
physical inactivity.

Pathological edema appears in the presence of a number of diseases and/or as a complication of pregnancy:

Varicose veins of the lower extremities

In this case, edema appears due to a violation of the outflow of blood through the veins, its stagnation in the veins, which provokes an increase in hydrostatic pressure in them. First, the pressure increases in large venous vessels, and then in small ones, and fluid is “squeezed out” from the vessels into the interstitial space with the formation of edema. This group also includes other venous diseases, which can be either a complication of varicose veins or an independent disease (thrombosis, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis). In this case, in addition to the described mechanism of edema development, there is also an inflammatory moment.

Cardiovascular pathology

Heart diseases (congenital heart defects, etc.) lead to the development of cardiovascular failure, one of the manifestations of which is edema. Fluid retention in the body is caused by an increase in central venous pressure, as the internal organs do not receive oxygen-enriched blood, as well as sodium retention by the kidneys. As central venous pressure increases, hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries increases, which “squeezes” water into the tissue. Pregnancy increases the load on the heart, which further causes edema.

Kidney pathology

Nephrotic syndrome, which is characterized by edema, is usually observed with glomerulonephritis. The mechanism of edema formation has several aspects. Firstly, protein is lost in the urine due to normal or frequent urination, which leads to a decrease in oncotic pressure in the blood vessels and an increase in their permeability, and, consequently, the occurrence of edema. Secondly, with reduced urination, sodium is retained in the tissues, which draws fluid from the blood vessels. Thirdly, the filtration function of the kidneys is disrupted (sodium retention) and water-salt metabolism is disrupted (the production of aldosterone increases, which also retains fluid in the body).

Allergic reactions

Quincke's edema - one of the severe manifestations of allergies is associated with generalized swelling of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and skin and develops due to the penetration of an allergen (antigen) into the body. The allergen promotes the production of inflammatory mediators: serotonin, histamine and others. In turn, inflammatory mediators increase the permeability of the vascular wall, and fluid from the blood rushes into the tissue, forming edema. Read more about.

Preeclampsia

Thyroid diseases

How to determine swelling

Edema, by definition, is the accumulation of an excess amount of fluid outside the vascular bed, and in the tissues and cavities of internal organs (cardiac sac, pleural sac, etc.). Edema is divided into hidden and visible. Hidden edema can only be suspected by a doctor based on the following signs:

Weight gain

A pregnant woman experiences pathological weight gain, which after 30 weeks is more than 300 grams in 7 days. Or the total increase in body weight over the entire gestation period is more than 20 kg. However, one should take into account the type of constitution and height of a woman and distinguish between pathological weight gain that occurs due to hidden edema or due to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat.

Daily diuresis

To determine it, the amount of liquid drunk (together with soups and watery fruits) and excreted is taken into account. Normally, their ratio is 4/3 (with about 300 ml of fluid released through sweat and breathing). If daily diuresis is negative, that is, the amount of fluid drunk significantly exceeds the volume excreted, this indicates hidden edema.

Nocturia

The woman notes that the volume of urine excreted at night is much greater than during the day. Moreover, the urge to urinate becomes more frequent at night. But it should be remembered that after 37 weeks, this symptom may also indicate impending labor (the head is pressed against the entrance to the pelvis and compresses the bladder).

McClure–Aldrich test

0.2 ml of physiological sodium chloride solution is injected intradermally into the forearm area and the time of resorption of the resulting blister is recorded. Normally, it should disappear after 35 minutes or more. If its resorption time is shortened, we can safely talk about hidden edema.

Visible swelling can be determined by the pregnant woman herself based on the following symptoms:

Ring symptom - swelling of the fingers is indicated by a characteristic sign: the wedding ring does not come off the finger or is difficult to remove.
Shoes - familiar and worn-in shoes suddenly become tight and tight, which indicates swelling of the feet.
Socks - after the expectant mother takes off her socks, she notices that the marks, even pronounced indentations from their elastic bands on her legs do not disappear for a long time.
Symptom of a “pit” - when pressing with a finger on the shin (in the place where only the skin covers the tibia), a characteristic depression remains, which does not go away for some time.
Ankle volume- when measuring the circumference in the ankle area and increasing it by 1 cm or more per week, it speaks in favor of edema.
Signs of generalized edema- with anasarca, not only the legs swell, they are also accompanied by swelling of the arms, labia, anterior abdominal wall and face (lips, eyelids and nose swell). A dangerous symptom is the inability to clench your hand into a fist or bend over and fasten your shoes. Such severe swelling during pregnancy may indicate developed gestosis.

Symptoms of various types of edema

Edema of different origins also differs in symptoms:

Cardiac edema

Swelling in the early stages begins from the legs, spreading to the thighs and above, symmetrically. In an upright position of the body, only the legs swell. In a horizontal position, the swelling is redistributed to the sacrum and lower back, and disappears after sleep (in the early stages). The swelling is quite dense, the “pits” do not disappear for a long time. The skin in the area of edema is bluish and cold. Later, the swelling of the subcutaneous tissue is accompanied by the accumulation of fluid in the cavities (pleural, cardiac, abdominal). In addition, there is shortness of breath, fatigue and general pallor.

Renal edema

Edema of renal origin is characterized by its appearance from above, and it spreads downwards. Such swelling, on the contrary, appears in the morning and disappears by evening. They are loose and do not retain pressure marks for long. Appear on the face, where the subcutaneous tissue is looser - the eyelids swell. Edema is prone to migration - it moves easily when changing body position. The skin in areas of swelling is pale, warm and dry. Other symptoms also occur: headaches, high blood pressure, urine the color of “meat slop” (gross hematuria).

Edema in diseases of the veins of the lower extremities

With varicose veins of the lower extremities, edema develops gradually and is associated with prolonged stay in an upright position. Swelling appears in the evening, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, hyperemia of the feet, swollen veins, and pain may appear. The skin over the swelling is warm, sometimes with a cyanotic tint. As a rule, such swelling is not symmetrical (appears only on one leg). In the case of thrombophlebitis, edema is accompanied by inflammatory signs: hyperemia, heat, pain along the vein, as well as upon movement or touch.

Physiological edema

Usually their severity is insignificant; they appear more often on the shins or fingers (after prolonged work). They go away on their own, after sleep and exclusion of provoking factors.

Preeclampsia

Swelling during gestosis always begins in the feet and ankles (in some cases, the fingers “swell” at the same time). As the condition worsens, the swelling rises and spreads to the thighs, labia, and anterior abdominal wall. A doughy pillow appears above the pubis, which makes it difficult or impossible to bend forward (to tie shoelaces). Then swelling of the face occurs, its features become coarser, the eyes look like slits due to swollen eyelids. After sleep, visible swelling “disappears” and is redistributed throughout the body. Even significant swelling is accompanied by a satisfactory condition of the pregnant woman, but nevertheless requires treatment. Prognostically unfavorable signs are increased blood pressure (especially diastolic) and the appearance.

Measures to combat edema

What to do if edema occurs during pregnancy. First of all, put aside panic and calm down. You can deal with small, physiological swelling on your own, but in case of significant or permanent swelling, you should consult a doctor who will tell you how to get rid of the swelling:

Diet

In the diet, it is recommended to limit the consumption of table salt (but not eliminate it altogether). Drink at least 2 - 2.5 liters of fluid per day in small sips and constantly. As for drinks, preference is given to herbal teas with a soothing effect (mint, lemon balm), fruit drinks and still mineral water.

walks

It is recommended to take regular walks of 1.5 - 2 hours at a leisurely pace in a forested area, which will help disperse “stagnant” blood, raise overall tone and prevent not only the appearance of excess fat deposits, but also swelling.

Herbs with diuretic effect

Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs with a weak diuretic effect are prescribed only by a doctor. Their use is especially indicated for diseases of the urinary system. Similar medicinal plants include: bearberry, lingonberry leaf, parsley. They have weak diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. Take with caution in case of edema caused by gestosis (in this case, diuretics are contraindicated).

Drugs that increase vascular tone

Local anticoagulant and vascular wall-strengthening agents () will help remove swelling (especially in diseases of the veins of the lower extremities). Such drugs are prescribed by a doctor. It is allowed to rub Lyoton-gel, Venitan, heparin ointment, Essaven gel into the skin of the feet. It is also recommended to take orally ascorutin, aescusan, and venoruton, which strengthen the vascular wall and reduce its permeability.

Wearing compression garments

Wearing special compression underwear (stockings or tights), which is especially recommended for pregnant women with varicose veins, will also help relieve swelling during pregnancy. It is necessary to put on stockings/tights while lying down in order to evenly distribute the pressure on the lower limbs.

Avoid being in hot places
Avoid prolonged standing or sitting.

In case of severe condition, in case of development of gestosis or worsening of chronic extragenital diseases (pathology of the kidneys, liver, heart), the pregnant woman is hospitalized.

Question answer

I swell (during pregnancy). What exactly can and cannot be eaten?

It is recommended to exclude strong tea (including green) and tea from drinking, which act as a stimulant and provoke the appearance of edema, as well as sweet carbonated drinks and juices (cause thirst). You should not give up salt consumption, but you should exclude, or at least limit, the consumption of highly salted, spicy and pickled foods (pickles, sauerkraut, nuts and chips, etc.). Adhere to the rules of a healthy diet, refuse to eat smoked meats, sweets and baked goods. It is advisable to steam, stew, bake or boil food, but under no circumstances fry it. The daily diet should contain a sufficient amount of protein, both animal and plant origin (lean meat, offal, cottage cheese, cereal porridge). Also consume fresh vegetables and fruits daily as sources of vitamins, and lactic acid products as a source of calcium. Fish and seafood, vegetable oils, which contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, are useful.

What are the dangers of edema during pregnancy?

Any swelling, unless, of course, it is physiological, poses a threat not only to the woman, but also to her unborn baby. A woman, as a rule, knows about extragenital pathology even before pregnancy, on the eve of which and during pregnancy she is prescribed appropriate treatment. A serious complication of pregnancy is edema caused by gestosis. If left untreated, a preconvulsive condition (preeclampsia) and a seizure disorder (eclampsia) may develop. Signs of preeclampsia include confusion or an excited state, swelling of the nose during pregnancy, which is manifested by congestion or a sudden runny nose, flashing spots before the eyes, tinnitus, etc. Failure to provide timely assistance leads to convulsions, which can result in the death of the pregnant woman.

How can you relieve swelling at home?

Minor swelling of physiological origin will help eliminate the following measures:

lying on the left side (reduces pressure from the uterus on large blood vessels, improves blood circulation in the kidneys);
sleep or rest with your legs elevated (place a small pillow under them);
cool foot baths, rubbing feet with ice cubes;
gymnastics and foot massage;
give up heels, preferring shoes with low heels and loose ones;
in case of prolonged forced position (sitting at a desk), give your legs a rest (raise them on a chair, walk a few steps);
Avoid wearing tight and constricting clothing (elastic bands, belts, tight collars and socks).

How do I know if I am at risk for developing edema and gestosis?

This group includes pregnant women with the following factors:

young (under 17) and late (over 30) age of a woman;
gestosis suffered during previous pregnancies (especially eclampsia and preeclampsia);
pregnancy with more than one fetus;
presence of arterial hypertension before pregnancy;
bad habits (both before and during pregnancy);
and other endocrine pathologies;
severe early toxicosis;
presence of industrial hazards;
detected hidden edema.

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

80 percent of healthy pregnant women may experience swelling in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Location: feet and hands;
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;
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 in the last weeks of pregnancy I stopped wearing rings 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 a dangerous disease - gestosis or, as it is also called late toxicosis.

Liquid accumulation, in this case, can be observed already with;
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 baby 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.

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?>>>);
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

Cold;
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.

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;
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

A healthy lifestyle and healthy diet are 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?

Weight control and monitoring of edema;
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;
Blood pressure control.

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

While expecting a baby, many changes occur in the body of the expectant mother. Which ones should alert you? What pregnancy often accompanied swelling, almost all expectant mothers know. Everyone also knows that outside pregnancy swelling- This is a symptom of a disease, most often of cardiovascular or renal origin. But what does it mean if pregnant women have them? Is this a normal option or a pathology that requires treatment?

Edema during pregnancy

Edema during pregnancy– a very common occurrence. Mechanism of occurrence edema during pregnancy associated with changes in water-salt metabolism, as well as as a result of impaired outflow of blood and lymph through the veins of the legs and changes in the blood and vascular wall.
There are 4 stages of development of edema during pregnancy:
1. – swelling in the area of the feet and legs;
2. – swelling of the lower extremities, lower abdomen and lumbosacral region;
3. – addition of edema in the hands, the appearance of pasty “puffiness” on the face;
4. – general swelling.
You can determine for yourself whether there is swelling during pregnancy: press your finger on the skin, if the skin quickly evens out, then everything is in order, but if there is a hole left, then most likely it is swelling.
Swelling of the legs during pregnancy

If only your legs (feet and ankles) are swollen, this is natural. Usually, a lack of fluid and constant thirst occurs due to the increased need of the body. They appear in the evening and go away on their own by morning.
However, if swelling of the fingers occurs (the woman notes that she cannot wear a ring), swelling on the legs becomes permanent (shoes become tight), and swelling of the face is observed, then such swelling can be a symptom of a very serious complication of pregnancy - gestosis (late toxicosis).
The appearance of edema from 20 weeks, of course, should alert the pregnant woman and her doctor. Such a woman needs to be examined to determine the cause of the edema, but it should be remembered that not all edema observed during pregnancy is associated with gestosis.
Edema in late pregnancy can also occur due to obstruction of the outflow of urine due to compression of the ureters by the enlarged uterus.

Treatment of edema during pregnancy

Treatment for edema is usually prescribed depending on the results of the examination.
If left untreated, swelling can spread throughout the body. Edema may be hidden. To diagnose them, regular weighing, blood pressure measurement, and urine analysis are used.
The absence of visible swelling does not always indicate well-being. There are so-called hidden edemas. To diagnose hidden edema, the patient is weighed regularly. The presence of hidden edema is indicated by a weight gain of more than 300-400 grams. per week, which has nothing to do with the amount of food consumed.
Timely measures taken can prevent further development of edema.

Prevention of edema during pregnancy

To prevent the appearance of edema or at least reduce it, you must follow the following recommendations.
For mild edema, treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis. A dairy-vegetable diet is recommended for pregnant women.
Limit your intake of table salt (to 1-1.5 grams per day); in especially severe cases, switch to a salt-free diet.
Do not abuse sweet and carbonated drinks, which inhibit the removal of fluid from the body.
Do not reduce your water intake, as this may have the opposite effect. When you reduce fluid intake, the body will try to retain it, and swelling will increase accordingly. Drink at least 1.5 liters 2.0 liters of fluid. (including soup, cereals, juices, compotes). However, we must remember that the amount of urine excreted should be 50% - 80% of what was drunk.
Avoid situations that require you to stand or sit for long periods of time. Try to raise your legs to the top as often as possible. Try to stay in a hot place as little as possible.
Use kidney tea and other herbal infusions only as prescribed by a doctor.
If there are swelling during pregnancy, you should definitely consult a doctor. He will establish the causes of this unpleasant phenomenon and help cope with it.

Diagnosis of edema during pregnancy

How to tell if you have swelling? Answer a few questions.

Have you recently become desperately sorry for your favorite worn-out shoes?

Does the wedding ring squeeze your finger, leaving a mark, or is it difficult or impossible to remove from your finger?

Have you started to gain excess weight (more than 300 g per week)?

Of course, obvious swelling not only the doctor will notice, but you too. But there are also hidden swelling, or tissue pastiness (the so-called fluid retention in the body), which is not noticeable. They can only be suspected if the expectant mother experiences a large or uneven weight gain.

More often swelling in healthy people pregnant women, without cardiovascular or renal pathology, appear in the second half pregnancy.

Usually first legs swell, then they can be added swelling of the arms, abdomen, face. The latter is especially upsetting for expectant mothers. After all, it’s strongest on the face eyelids swell. This is due to the anatomical features of this area. There is loose fiber located there, which, like a sponge, is ready to retain liquid.

In the morning swelling on the legs are less noticeable, because at night the liquid spreads evenly throughout the body. But during the day, when you spend more time on your feet, the fluid goes down, accumulating mainly in the ankles, on the back of the feet, on the shins, where the pressure of a finger can cause a slowly leveling hole. Skin when swelling pale, tense and smooth.

Survey plan

In addition to examining a doctor, what methods are used for diagnosis?

Dynamic weighing About possible hidden edema they say excessive (more than 300 g per week) or uneven weight gain for the expectant mother.

Diuresis studies Compare the amount of fluid drunk and excreted urine (per day). Normally, a healthy person excretes ¾ of the fluid he drinks. Let's say if you drank 1000-1200 ml of liquid per day (including soups and tea-coffee), at least 750-900 ml should be excreted in the urine. The remaining quarter of the fluid is released in the form of sweat and also during breathing.

Dynamic measurement of leg circumference at one level An increase in the circumference of the ankle joint by 1 cm or more within a week indicates fluid retention in the body.

Blister test 0.2 ml of saline solution is injected intradermally into the area of the inner surface of the forearm with a thin needle. A blister forms, which normally resolves within one hour in a healthy person. The more “edematous readiness” the body has, the faster the blister is absorbed.

What is the danger of edema?

Russian obstetricians consider: swelling needs to be treated because dropsy of pregnancy is the first stage of gestosis and 90% of cases follow swelling Protein in the urine and high blood pressure appear. Timely treatment can prevent the transition of dropsy to subsequent stages of gestosis.

How to treat edema during pregnancy?

In treatment dropsy For pregnant women, priority is given to a diet with limited salt and liquid consumed per day.

Food should be under-salted, as salt retains fluid in the body. It is allowed to consume up to 8 g of salt per day instead of the usual 12-15 g. For the same reasons, hot, spicy dishes and smoked foods are excluded from the menu. It is better to cook food by steaming, you can also boil or stew, but just do not fry!

The amount of fluid consumed in the second half of pregnancy should be no more than 1000-1200 ml per day. Don't forget to take into account the volume of liquid contained in the soup and juicy fruits and berries.

In addition to dietary restrictions, strengthening the vascular wall and improving blood flow through the vessels is important. This prevents fluid from leaking from the vessels into the tissues and, accordingly, prevents the formation of edema. To do this, doctors prescribe vitamins and agents that strengthen blood vessels.

In consultation with your doctor, you can drink herbal teas with diuretic properties (infusions of bearberry leaves or bear's ears; horsetail, kidney tea). A glass of infusion is drunk during the day in 3-4 doses (1/3-1/4 cup at a time). The course is long - 3-4 weeks.

Diuretics are prescribed only for severe swelling, and even then not for long. You cannot take this remedy on your own!

The examination is required!

Edema

pregnancy

edema in pregnant women

Swelling of the legs may be associated with varicose veins of the legs. At the same time, expectant mothers usually complain of pain, heaviness in the legs, fatigue when walking.

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