Down blood leg and the dangerous effects of leg edema during pregnancy

Down blood leg, also known as leg edema is a common physiological phenomenon during pregnancy. So is leg edema dangerous? Find out in the following article.

Cause pregnant women have blood in their feet

During pregnancy, the body becomes excessively fluid (50% increase) compared to normal. Meanwhile the larger the fetus, the larger the uterus. All this creates pressure that causes swelling in the ankles and feet. Also, part of the reason is due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. They make the blood vessel walls of the pregnant woman softer. This makes it more difficult for the veins to carry blood from the lower extremities to the heart.

 

Leg swelling is a common physiological phenomenon in pregnant women

In addition, a sudden bleeding in the leg can be a sign of pre-eclampsia . This is the most dangerous and ominous complication of this phenomenon.

Pregnant women have edema in each trimester

The first trimester

The level of the hormone progesterone increases rapidly, thus slowing down the digestive process. It can cause bloating and a bit of swelling in the ankles, legs or face. Usually, according to experts, this sign is not worrying.

However, if the symptoms of edema are accompanied by dizziness, headache or bleeding, the pregnant woman should see a doctor. Because they represent a serious health risk warning for both mother and baby.

 

Pregnant women with swelling of the legs accompanied by dizziness and headache should see a doctor immediately

The second trimester

It's not uncommon for a pregnant woman's feet to become swollen around the fifth month of pregnancy. Especially if pregnant women walk a lot or the weather is hot. This is because the amount of blood and fluids in your body increases.

Third trimester

Most pregnant women have leg edema in the 28th week of pregnancy. This is because the body is continuing to produce blood and fluids. The uterus also gets worse as the baby gets older. In many cases, it can slow blood flow from the legs back to the heart.

Several ways to reduce leg blood

Reduce blood flow to your feet by eating a healthy diet

Pregnant women should eat bland, that is, limit salt when preparing food. Salt makes your body retain more water. Pregnant mothers should also not eat salty foods that are canned or processed. That's because these types are exceptionally high in sodium.

Potassium helps the body balance the amount of fluids, so pregnant women should supplement this micronutrient. Pregnant women can use some naturally high potassium foods. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, spinach, beans, some fruit juices, yogurt, radishes ... are the foods that mothers should use.

Pregnant women should avoid drinking too much caffeine because it makes the legs more swollen. Cause caffeine is a diuretic, making pregnant women urinate more. Therefore, the body will assume it needs to keep fluids.

It may sound strange that pregnant women drink more water to prevent swelling in their legs, but it is. When the body thinks you are dehydrated, it will retain plenty of fluids. So pregnant women try to drink at least 10 glasses of water a day.

 

Drink plenty of water to help pregnant women reduce swelling of the legs

Other measures to limit edema

Rest your body, especially your feet, to rest. Pregnant women should raise their legs when sitting, especially at the end of the day. Because this simple movement can help reduce leg swelling during pregnancy.

Pregnant women should wear loose, comfortable clothes, and wear flat shoes more often. Because this is a method that helps blood circulation take place more smoothly.

If you are pregnant during the hot summer months, you should stay indoors. When the body is cool, the swelling of the legs also lessens. Pregnant women can use ice to compress their legs.

Pregnant women should even walk for 5 or 10 minutes a few times a day. This can help improve your circulation, helping to reduce leg edema.

Massage also helps to circulate the accumulated fluids in the feet. From there it will reduce swelling of the legs during pregnancy.

You should also lie on your left side while you sleep. This is to reduce uterine pressure on the lower aorta. Thanks to that, pregnant women will reduce swelling of the legs.

 

Massage also helps circulation, reducing leg edema

When should pregnant women see a doctor?

Occasionally, a pregnant woman has edema, which is a sign of pre-eclampsia. This is a condition that can occur during pregnancy and cause dangerously high blood pressure. At that time, careful medical examination is extremely essential.

Pregnant women should see the doctor when suddenly swelling of the arms, legs, face or around the eyes. Also a phenomenon of dizziness or blurred vision, severe headache and difficulty breathing. If only one leg edema is painful, red or hot, the pregnant woman may have a deep vein thrombosis or DVT (blood clot). Examination will help determine the exact cause of your swollen foot. From there, they give the best and most correct advice to pregnant women.

 

When the swelling of the leg is painful, red, or hot, the pregnant woman should quickly go to the doctor

In conclusion

Leg swelling is a common physiological phenomenon during pregnancy. They will cause pregnant women to walk and make activities difficult. Not to mention that swelling of the legs is potentially dangerous for pre-eclampsia. Therefore, pregnant women should not be neglected when the body has symptoms of blood down the legs (edema)!

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Causes and remedies when pregnant women have edema