Why ankles swell in pregnancy

In addition to swelling, the ligaments in your body including your feet actually do stretch during pregnancy, so your feet may change size. It may be annoying that one more thing is changing, or that some of your beloved shoes no longer fit, but this is an excellent excuse to go splurge on some new favorites.

There are no studies proving that water pressure reduces swelling during pregnancy, but many women do find relief from swelling when they spend time in the pool.

Try standing or swimming in a pool where the water depth is almost up to your neck. At the very least, you will feel lighter, cooler, and get a little exercise. You may also find that your feet and legs are less swollen. Your partner may be looking for ways to be involved during the pregnancy process, and this is the perfect opportunity.

Massage helps circulate the fluids that tend to accumulate in your feet, which will in turn reduce swelling. So grab your water bottle, put your feet up, and let your partner gently massage your feet and legs. Adding some peppermint or lavender essential oil can make this even more relaxing. These can not only help with swelling, but are great for helping relieve some of the stress that can accompany pregnancy. Sleeping on your left side when possible can improve blood flow, which reduces swelling of the feet.

Lying on your left side takes the pressure of your uterus off of the inferior vena cava, which is the large blood vessel that returns blood to your heart.

Swollen feet are a very common side effect of pregnancy. Swelling is caused by increased fluid volume in your body, as well as decreased circulation. But a little swelling is definitely normal. You can help prevent foot swelling by getting regular gentle exercise, drinking plenty of water, resting, and eating a balanced diet. Leg cramps in pregnancy can be more than a mild nuisance — they can also interfere with your sleep.

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It's often benign. Postpartum diarrhea after a C-section is normal. Swelling in the feet is most common in the later stages of pregnancy, or the third trimester. The reason for this is that the fetus is larger and puts more pressure on the legs and feet. Women may be able to reduce swelling in the feet during pregnancy by taking the following steps at home:. Doing foot exercises when resting can help improve circulation.

Pregnant women can try raising one foot off the floor and flexing it up and down 30 times before repeating the movement with the opposite foot. Next, they can raise one foot off the floor and rotate it clockwise eight times and then anticlockwise eight times.

Again, they should then repeat this with the opposite foot. Although they may be uncomfortable, swollen feet are a common effect of pregnancy. Medical treatment is unlikely to be necessary, and many women can relieve the swelling with home remedies. However, a woman will require medical treatment if an underlying condition is causing the swollen feet. Swelling can sometimes signal a health issue in pregnancy. Women should contact their midwife, doctor, or healthcare team immediately if they notice any sudden or rapid increase in swelling.

A sudden increase in swelling in the feet can be a sign of preeclampsia. Women may also notice a puffy or swollen face, swelling around the eyes, or sudden swelling in the hands. If the swelling in the feet is extreme, pressing down into the skin may leave an indentation for a few seconds. There might also be some decolorization in the legs. Preeclampsia is a health condition that can happen during pregnancy or postpartum. Preeclampsia causes very high blood pressure and organ problems in pregnant women.

It most commonly occurs after 20 weeks of gestation or up to 6 weeks after giving birth. Preeclampsia can progress quickly, and without treatment, it can be very dangerous for the woman and the fetus.

A doctor may prescribe antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure. If the pregnancy has reached 37 weeks or more , healthcare professionals may recommend delivering the baby early.

Uneven swelling in the feet or legs may indicate a blood clot, known as deep vein thrombosis DVT. Pregnant women and women who have given birth within the last 3 months have a higher risk of DVT than women who are not pregnant. During pregnancy, the extra fluid in the body and the pressure from the growing uterus can cause swelling or "edema" in the ankles and feet.

The swelling tends to get worse as a woman's due date nears, particularly near the end of the day and during hotter weather. Although sudden swelling in the face or hands may be a sign of a condition known as preeclampsia, mild swelling of the ankles and feet is usually no cause for concern.

Call your health care provider if you notice swelling of your face, around your eyes, or more than mild swelling of the hands. Also let your doctor know right away if you have sudden swelling anywhere or if one leg is more swollen than the other. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.