How to reduce edema during pregnancy

Many pregnant female friends will have problems of one kind or another, among which gestational edema is a relatively common one. Pregnant women all know that once edema occurs, the body is like a steamed bun with water added, and some can't even wear shoes. So we need to know what causes edema during pregnancy, so it will be much easier to eliminate edema based on the causes.

Causes of lower limb edema during pregnancy include:

1. After pregnancy, blood volume begins to increase gradually from the 6th week, reaches a peak at the 34th week, and remains at this level until two weeks after delivery, when it returns to the pre-pregnancy level. Blood volume can increase by about 40% compared to the non-pregnant period, so as blood volume increases, interstitial fluid will also increase.

2. Because when blood increases, the increase in plasma is greater than the increase in blood cells, etc., the blood components will be relatively diluted, and the relative concentration of plasma albumin will be lower than that in the non-pregnant period. Plasma albumin is the main component that maintains plasma osmotic pressure. Plasma osmolality is lower during pregnancy than during non-pregnancy. This makes it easy for water in the blood to penetrate into the interstitial fluid, causing lower limb edema.

3. After pregnancy, the uterus enlarges, which increases the pressure in the pelvis, thereby affecting the venous blood flow in the lower limbs. This is also one of the important reasons for lower limb edema. If the swelling during pregnancy is relieved after rest or sleep, it is physiological and there is no need to worry.

Treatment of edema during the period

1. Get enough rest. The best way to eliminate edema is to rest quietly. Studies have shown that when people rest quietly, the burden on the heart, liver, kidneys, etc. will be reduced, and edema will naturally decrease or disappear.

2. Keep warm to prevent edema, which is water retention. In order to eliminate edema, it is necessary to ensure smooth blood circulation and breathing. In order to achieve these two points, in addition to careful and intensive care, you must also pay attention to keeping warm.

3. Wear appropriate clothes. Wearing tight clothes will lead to poor blood circulation, thus causing swelling of the body. Therefore, pregnant mothers should try to avoid wearing tight clothes during pregnancy.

4. Eat a low-salt meal. After pregnancy, the body's ability to regulate salt and water decreases. Therefore, in daily life, you should try to control salt intake and keep the daily intake below 10g.

5. Wear elastic (pantyhose) In order to reduce excessive blood accumulation in the lower limbs, it is recommended that mothers wear elastic (pantyhose) before going out in the early morning, especially pregnant mothers who stand or sit for a long time. You can choose socks specially designed for pregnant women, which can keep you warm when worn in autumn and winter.

6. Raise your legs. It is recommended that pregnant mothers raise their legs for 15 to 20 minutes before going to bed (or during lunch break). This can play a dual role of accelerating blood return and reducing intravenous pressure. It can not only relieve edema during pregnancy, but also prevent the occurrence of diseases such as varicose veins in the lower limbs.

The above tells you the causes and solutions of edema during pregnancy. I hope it will be helpful to all pregnant female friends. Although pregnant women should not walk too much, proper exercise can help them regulate their body's internal systems and can also assist in childbirth. I hope all mothers can pay attention to ways to eliminate edema as soon as possible.