Swelling of the feet during pregnancy

Swelling of the feet during or Edema of the feet is cause by excessive fluid collection in the tissue. This is a normal occurrence during pregnancy but this becomes abnormal if edema increases and affects other parts of the body and the grade is four that indicates severity. Therefore, modifications of diet and lifestyle changes is the main content for client who edema.

The only sign of edema is swelling of the leg and shin but many different remedies are available to relieve and reduced the edema.

REMEDIES

Elevate the feet above the heart to promote venous return and avoid venous stasis. This also helps to promote fluid shifting to help excretion of too much sodium.

Avoid crossing the legs when you are sitting especially if this is a four-hour plane travel because this is the cause for thrombophlebitis.

Do not apply tight stockings because this impedes the circulations and blood flow and can decrease oxygen supply to important body parts.

Avoid long standing and sitting. Always find time to stretch your legs and elevate.

Anti-embolic stockings are available to help prevent the formation of thrombus and promote leg circulation and decreases edema.

For client who has swelling of the feet during pregnancy, drinking of water is not contraindicated instead, do not limit but decrease the amount of water consumption.

Doing exercises like swimming and walking can decrease the edema but do not engage in contact sports that can cause fatigability easily.

For the diet, low sodium, low fat and high fiber diet is recommended. This is cereals and whole grain wheats, green leafy vegetables and yogurt. Remember that water attracts salt; therefore, salty fluids should be limited.

Taking vitamins and minerals are not contraindicated so continue the use because this is good for the baby and you yourself benefit the most.

Always observe for changes as if the edema worsens at night and relieves when you are at rest, better consult a doctor because this is a great indications that this is a presence of disease like preeclampsia.

If preeclampsia occurs together with swelling of the feet during pregnancy, seizure precaution is observed and safety will always be the priority for the client and the baby.

When preeclampsia is not resolve, this will lead to eclampsia, putting the clients' life more at risk. When this happens, go to the nearest hospital and confine until the expected date of delivery to decrease the life threatening events that may occur.

The only thing that pertains about this is, even simple swelling of the feet during pregnancy can lead to complications if prevention is not given at early state.