Edema

During pregnancy, your blood and bodily fluids increase by nearly 50%! This extra fluid retention is needed to help soften the body, allowing it to expand as your baby grows. The downside of this increase in blood and fluids it that it causes edema or swelling which you may notice in your face, hands, legs and ankles or feet. Edema most commonly manifests around the 5^th month pregnancy and on. While slight swelling during pregnancy is perfectly normal, any sudden swelling of your face or hands could be a sign of preeclampsia and you should contact your healthcare provider.

Things to Try:

• Avoid standing for long period of times
• Elevate your feet
• Apply ice compresses to swollen areas
• Avoid wearing high heels, wear comfortable shoes whenever possible
• Increase water intake to flush the body and reduce water retention
• Minimize time outside during hot days
• Eat foods that are high in potassium such as bananas
• Increase protein intake
• Reduce salt intake
• Try Nettle Tea
• Use massage to move fluid out of limbs

Check out our post on 8 Ways to Reduce Swelling in Pregnancy