What causes swollen hands during pregnancy?

In the middle of pregnancy, if your hands are swollen, don't worry too much. Generally speaking, this is a normal physiological phenomenon. During pregnancy, the capillary permeability of pregnant women will increase significantly, so the circulation volume in the body will increase at this time, so mild edema will form. In addition to swollen hands, it is also easy to cause swollen feet, eyelid edema, etc.

What causes swollen hands during pregnancy?

The characteristics of normal pregnancy edema are that the edema is mild, improves after rest, and there is no proteinuria, hypertension, etc.

In addition, edema may also occur during pregnancy-induced hypertension, usually after 24 weeks of pregnancy, and is more common in primiparas. The edema is often obvious, does not subside after rest, and tends to worsen. It is often accompanied by proteinuria, increased blood pressure, etc.

Therefore, when edema occurs during pregnancy, relevant examinations should be carried out to rule out the possibility of gestational hypertension.

What to do if your hands are swollen during pregnancy

1. During this period, some pregnant women will experience swelling in their feet or calves. The swelling will be aggravated if they stand or squat for too long or wear their belt too tightly. Generally, edema is not accompanied by high blood pressure or proteinuria, and is a normal phenomenon after pregnancy. If the swelling gradually worsens, go to the hospital for examination. Pay attention to prevent constipation, eat more foods containing crude fiber, such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, etc., and drink more water, at least six cups of boiled water a day. Pregnant women with edema should drink less water at night and drink enough water during the day.

2. Take calcium tablets, soak your feet in hot water when washing them at night, and put a blanket under your feet when sleeping so that your feet are higher than your head. It is normal to experience edema during pregnancy. Everyone’s situation is different, some may appear mild while others may appear severe. Don’t worry too much.

3. Pregnant women often experience varying degrees of edema, such as in the lower limbs, feet and face. This is usually normal and will disappear naturally after delivery. However, if the edema is severe and accompanied by dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, and oliguria, attention should be paid.

Prevention and treatment methods

1. Rest: Keep your mind calm and get enough sleep. When resting in bed, lie on your side to avoid the uterus pressing on the large blood vessels.

2. Don’t eat too salty food and control the intake of water and salt appropriately.

3. In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, pay attention to regularly monitor changes in blood pressure, urine routine, etc. If gestational hypertension is suspected, active treatment should be sought.