Swelling in pregnant women is not a rare occurrence and does not always pose a threat. Meanwhile, it is the fluid retention in the tissues of the body during this period that can be a symptom of a dangerous complication or disorder. Therefore, doctors always pay especially close attention to the formation of edema in expectant mothers.
Most often, edema occurs in the later stages of pregnancy, or rather progresses with increasing pregnancy. They often accompany late gestosis in pregnant women (a dangerous condition that requires treatment), but they can also be an absolute physiological norm. Let's talk today about when to worry about swelling and what to do in such situations.
There are several reasons why edema occurs at 35, 36, 37, 38 weeks of pregnancy. This is mainly caused by an increase in the amount of fluid in the body of the expectant mother: there is more blood, and you want to drink more, and additional volumes of fluid are formed (for example, amniotic fluid). At the same time, blood circulation deteriorates due to the pressure exerted on the vessels and genitourinary organs, and the outflow of urine becomes difficult. The main culprit of such changes is the pregnancy hormone - progesterone, produced during this period in an enhanced mode.
In this regard, edema in later stages is physiological, that is, non-dangerous and self-limiting. However, they can also accompany pathological conditions. If a mother abuses salty foods, then she is guaranteed to encounter this problem. Swelling is also caused by excess weight and a deficiency of nutrients, in particular protein, which causes the walls of blood vessels to become loose and easily allow fluid to pass through.
One of the dangerous conditions leading to edema and accompanied by its appearance is late gestosis in pregnant women. In particular, with gestosis, the placenta swells, as a result of which the utero-placental exchange, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus is disrupted, and the intrauterine development of the fetus slows down.
Women who have become pregnant for the first time or after 35 years, are carrying twins, suffer from chronic and/or sexually transmitted diseases, smokers, as well as those who have previously experienced episodic pain and cramps in the legs and whose parents suffer from vascular diseases are also at risk for the development of gestosis. .
The cause of poor blood circulation and fluid retention in the tissues of the body can be disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems, including varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. In the later stages of pregnancy, the situation is aggravated by the increasing pressure of the uterus and fetus on the pelvic veins.
The process of fluid retention occurs in the direction from bottom to top, that is, it is the legs that swell first. Moreover, this becomes more noticeable in the evening. During the day, the accumulated fluid falls down, concentrating in the lower extremities. At night, it is evenly distributed throughout the body, and therefore swelling is not so noticeable. If by morning you observe a decrease in swelling, then most likely there is no reason to worry.
If the swelling does not go away even in the morning, and also if, in addition to the legs, the arms, stomach, back, shoulders, and face swell, then you should definitely tell your doctor about this. Most likely, he will suspect the development of gestosis.
At the first stage of gestosis, in addition to swelling of the extremities, fatigue, malaise, and poor health may be observed. A warning sign is uneven or excessive weight gain (more than 500 g per week). As the pathology progresses, blood pressure will increase, protein will appear in the urine, and then convulsions will occur. If the diagnosis of gestosis is confirmed, the woman is hospitalized for treatment and to monitor her and the child’s condition - gestosis is very dangerous for the expectant mother and her baby.
If your hands begin to swell, the situation worsens. Swelling can be judged if the ring is not removed from the finger. In this case, numbness, tingling in the fingers, and discomfort are often felt.
It’s hardly worth turning a blind eye to this. The higher the swelling rises in the body, the greater the potential danger. Therefore, do not hesitate and tell your doctor if your hands swell in the later stages, and especially if the upper body and other areas (lower back, sacrum, hips) swell.
Swelling of the hands along with fluid accumulation in other areas of the body is a warning sign. But if only the hands become numb and swollen, then the reason may lie in the woman’s occupation. Thus, such phenomena often occur with repeated repeated movements of the same type with the hands. This could be, for example, typing on a computer or working with a computer mouse, knitting or embroidery and other activities. Such swelling is often accompanied by the so-called “tunnel syndrome” (the appearance of characteristic pain in the wrist). If you do this kind of work, you should stretch your wrist from time to time by doing massage or gymnastics.
It happens that swelling does not appear externally in later stages, but the doctor can detect internal swelling. Suspicion is raised by uneven or excessive weight gain. It is also possible to independently determine internal edema: if less than ? amount of fluid consumed per day, then one should suspect its retention inside.
Press your finger on the front of the shin: if there is no mark left, then everything is in order. The longer the depression formed after pressing does not disappear, the worse the situation.
You should consult a doctor if:
Both for preventive purposes and with the appearance of mild edema, doctors advise expectant mothers to adhere to recommendations regarding lifestyle, nutrition and drinking regimen.
So, you should lead a fairly active lifestyle, not staying in one place for a long time, being on the move, as far as possible and acceptable (if there are no contraindications). Fitness or sports activities for pregnant women will be useful. In later stages, it is recommended to take the knee-elbow position more often, staying in it for 5-10 minutes - this will relieve the load and pressure of the uterus on the veins leading to the lower extremities.
Foot baths at the end of the day are very effective in relieving fatigue and reducing swelling. The water should not be hot, even cool. You can add sea salt or a few drops of essential oil to the water. Contrasting foot baths bring good results.
It will be great if your husband then gives you a light foot massage using ice cubes. And at the end of the procedures you need to lie down, raising your legs to a height. In general, it is advisable to lie down like this several times during the day, allowing the fluid to better flow back. If you sit for a long time, put your feet on a stand and get up from time to time to walk.
Try to avoid overheating, spend less time in the open sun and in hot, stuffy rooms. Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes (but never heels) and try to avoid lying on your back.
Regarding nutrition, salty, spicy, smoked, spicy, fried foods and all foods that contribute to fluid retention in the body should be excluded from the diet. These are mainly those that contain sodium: salted nuts, olives. It is also necessary to limit the amount of sweets consumed.
Minimize the amount of salt consumed, and if necessary (when swelling is severe), completely eliminate it from the diet. But under no circumstances should you reduce the amount of water you drink. You just need to drink plain, clean water - more than 2 liters per day (you can add lemon). If you limit the amount of fluid consumed during the day, the body will begin to accumulate it as a reserve, which will lead to the formation of edema, but in the evening and night, try to drink as little as possible. It is also better not to drink coffee, sweet and carbonated drinks at all.
Your doctor may recommend that you drink cranberry/lingonberry juice or diuretic tea to better remove excess fluid from your body. An infusion of dried apricots will also be useful for swelling: just pour a glass of boiling water over a few berries, let it brew and drink 30-40 minutes before meals.
However, if necessary, if the swelling is severe or gestosis has developed, drug treatment will still be prescribed.
Most often, treatment recommendations for late-stage edema are limited to those outlined above. Wearing compression stockings or using anti-edema gels may be prescribed. But with the development of complications and gestosis of the second or third degree, it will hardly be possible to do without drug treatment. It should be understood that gestosis poses a real threat to the health of the baby and mother, and therefore must certainly be treated.
As a rule, a pregnant woman is prescribed diuretics approved for use during this period, such as Canephron, for example. Vitamin preparations, in particular those containing magnesium and vitamin E, are also indicated to improve uteroplacental blood flow. The drip method replenishes the deficiency of fluid and protein in the mother’s body. For high blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs are prescribed.
On the Internet you can find many recommendations and recipes of traditional medicine in cases of swelling in pregnant women. But each of them should be taken very seriously. Before using this or that product, you must check whether it is approved for use during pregnancy and consult with the doctor leading your pregnancy.
Pregnancy is not a disease, but sometimes existing chronic diseases (including varicose veins) can worsen during pregnancy. In the third trimester of pregnancy, women often experience swelling in their legs . Signs of venous insufficiency develop in the later stages in about half of pregnant women; the legs swell especially strongly in the summer in the heat, when the load on the heart increases.
Many ladies who are in an interesting situation are worried not only by swelling, but also by heaviness in the legs, numbness, tingling, and a crawling sensation. With thrombophlebitis, swelling of the legs is accompanied by a constant burning pain in the anterior surface of the leg due to increased blood flow through the great saphenous vein.
Increased swelling of the legs is a reason to consult a doctor to identify the pathological cause of their appearance.
If the cause of leg swelling is not pregnancy, but some disease, do not self-medicate, be sure to see a specialist.
For the second day now, my feet have been swollen, I only saw a doctor on Tuesday. I started taking Canephron and Euphilin, but there is no result yet. I really don’t want to go to bed for prenatal care. If anyone has encountered this, please advise what to do.
We are expecting our fourth baby. With all the children it swelled like a bubble. If the blood pressure is normal and the urine test is good, then there is nothing to worry about. I see it regularly, so I don't worry about it. Canephron, diuretic herbs, watermelons, cucumbers and parsley with dill help well. I eat greens like a cow, they cleanse and make my kidneys work. You have to lie on your left side with your legs up and on all fours quite often. I try to drink only water; if I’m thirsty, I eat watermelon or other fruits. The swelling never completely disappeared. All children are healthy. I tried to lie in the pathology, I was left with swelling and unhappy memories of the month and a half spent in a hospital bed. Now for myself (only for myself!) I decided that if I feel well, I will go to the hospital only with contractions. Why torture yourself, your baby and your husband if nothing changes. But absolutely - you definitely need to be observed! You need to monitor your blood tests and blood pressure. You can measure your blood pressure at home. And during the consultation you can refuse hospitalization. No one has the right to force you to lie down. But they will definitely scare you. try to find a common language with the doctor, offer to visit the doctor 2 times a week or go to a day hospital. You will be under the doctor’s control and “free.”
I’m also 37 weeks and swelling has appeared, although I went through the whole hot summer without it. They prescribed Canephron 2 pieces 3 times a day and Phytolysin (a gel that is diluted in water, although I didn’t like its smell, I just can’t decide on it).
According to modern data, swelling is the norm; the body prepares for childbirth by filling and softening tissues. but our doctors
Girls, I found this article, I didn’t search for long, but it was very interesting. I decided that it would help someone else, personally, I knew practically nothing about them until the 37th week, I hope I’m not breaking any forum rules
Most people experience slight swelling in their ankles and feet at the end of the workday, especially in hot weather. The longer the pregnancy, the higher the likelihood that a woman will develop swelling. How dangerous is edema during pregnancy and how should it be dealt with?
What is edema? Edema occurs due to excess fluid in the body (common during pregnancy) and is usually found in the lower parts of the body (ankles). Edema is noted by approximately 75% of pregnant women.
ankles and legs – this is its “point” nature. If you press on the area of swelling with your finger for 20-30 seconds, a “pit” will appear in the compressed area, which can be easily seen. Swelling will be noticeable not only to the pregnant woman, but also to those around her, as it usually manifests itself as an unnatural swelling of the ankles and legs that makes it difficult to even squeeze into a pair of boots.
Why does swelling occur during pregnancy? Edema occurs from the extra blood that a woman develops during pregnancy. The growing uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins, as well as a large vein on the right side of the body, which receive blood from lower parts of the body. As a result, blood circulation slows down; Pressure from trapped blood promotes water retention in the tissues of the legs and ankles. Sometimes pregnant women have excess water that accumulates into swelling.
Is edema dangerous during pregnancy? For most pregnant women, edema is considered not dangerous. However, if you experience swelling of the upper body (face) for a long time during pregnancy, you should consult a doctor. If such swelling is present along with high blood
Swelling of the legs is a fairly common occurrence, especially in women. But many consider this only a cosmetic problem that occurs due to the consumption of large amounts of liquid. Meanwhile, there are many reasons for its occurrence. Check your heart and kidneys. Summer. Hot. Sitting less, walking more. Apparently you sit at the computer for a long time. I have the same problem. But this is one of the subjective reasons. And the objective reasons were outlined to you above.
don’t go on a diet - eat buckwheat, oatmeal, cottage cheese, drink liquids - as usual, but not overdoing it. Drink tea to promote lactation. In this way, you will save milk and swelling in your legs - they sell teas in the pharmacy. But. The drinking regime is of course good and must be followed, there is a good cream Sophia based on leech, it helps very well in this case
If your legs swell regularly, then you should consult a doctor and figure out the reasons, since these unpleasant sensations may be symptoms of improper metabolism, kidney problems, and varicose veins. A good specialist doctor advised me to drink Detralex or Phlebodia 600 and apply Troxerutin gel 3 times a day. It helps me. Swelling of the legs occurs for various reasons - heart failure, kidney failure, impaired lymphatic drainage function.
Drink less fluid. At the 36th week I drank live beer, all my legs swollen in just half an hour) In the morning everything was fine. My legs swollen for three days. On the fourth day I rushed to the maternity hospital. On the fifth day they cut me down. You don’t drink enough water and that’s why you swell. It's actually dangerous during childbirth. It doesn't seem to be a big deal. I also have slight swelling . Doctor.
Swelling of the legs is a sign of severe pain. dehydration, the body stores water in the limbs.
Swelling of the legs during pregnancy is associated with physiological processes. Severe swelling of the legs during pregnancy is manifested by many factors and causes discomfort. This article will tell you why your legs swell a lot during pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a condition that promotes fluid retention in the body, which is due to natural physiological processes. The human body consists of 80% liquid, and in the female body a new life suddenly begins to form, for which water is urgently needed. If pregnancy proceeds normally, then the female body accumulates about 8 liters of water, of which 6 liters are outside the tissues, and the remaining 2 liters in the tissues.
These water needs begin to be met already from the eighth week of pregnancy, this is due to the fact that the fluidity of the blood ensures rapid delivery of nutrients, but at the same time the woman has swelling of the legs during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that not all the fluid circulating in the body is used for its intended purpose, since the body accumulates it in reserve, which remains unused, which leads to the formation of edema.
How severe they appear depends on the severity. So, in the first degree, the appearance of edema in the legs is noted. In the case of the second degree, the feet, legs and lower abdomen begin to swell, and in the third degree, pastiness appears in the face area and the hands swell. The fourth degree has the characteristic name of dropsy.
Severe swelling of the legs during pregnancy is observed precisely at the fourth stage. It usually occurs no earlier than the thirtieth week of pregnancy. However, there are factors that provoke the appearance of this phenomenon, in particular we are talking about gestosis, due to which edema can
Swelling during pregnancy is a very common occurrence. Swelling occurs from the extra blood that a woman develops during pregnancy.
The growing uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins, as well as a large vein on the right side of the body, which receive blood from lower parts of the body. As a result, blood circulation slows down; Pressure from trapped blood promotes water retention in the tissues of the legs and ankles. Sometimes pregnant women have excess water that accumulates into swelling.
Try it, press your finger on the skin, if the skin quickly evens out, then everything is fine, but if there is a hole left, then most likely it is swelling.
If only your legs (feet and ankles) are swollen, this is natural. Usually, a lack of fluid and constant thirst occurs due to the increased need of the body. They appear in the evening and go away on their own by morning.
However, if swelling of the fingers occurs, swelling on the feet becomes permanent (shoes become tight), swelling of the face is observed, then such swelling can be a symptom of a very serious complication of pregnancy - gestosis (late toxicosis).
The first degree of gestosis is “gestational edema”, complaints of fatigue, malaise, signs: edema, or pathological weight gain;
The second degree of gestosis is nephropathy of pregnancy (protein in the urine + swelling + pressure). If all 3 symptoms are present, there is a threat to health. If not, treatment is symptomatic;
The fourth degree of gestosis is convulsions. This threatens, first of all, with a transition to a more dangerous degree of late gestosis and “aging” of the placenta and suffocation of the fetus.
For our country, a country in which abortion was and is (according to statistics) the main method of family planning, this problem was most acute. Number of septic complications, percentage of infertility, etc.
The appearance of edema from 20 weeks, of course, should alert a pregnant woman and her doctor. Such a woman needs to be examined to determine the cause of the edema, but following
Unfortunately, approximately 2/3 of pregnant women suffer from swelling of the lower extremities. This pathological condition is characterized by an increase in leg circumference (tumor), heaviness in the limbs, hyperemia (redness) of the skin due to the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues. Swelling of the legs during pregnancy can be a harbinger of eclampsia (a serious disease caused by a sharp increase in blood pressure due to fluid stagnation and intoxication of the body) and preeclampsia (a condition preceding eclampsia, which has similar, however, milder manifestations).
Usually the area of the feet and calf joints is affected; severe swelling is characterized by damage to the upper parts of the lower extremities ( legs , thighs ). In this case, when you press on the skin, a dent appears that does not disappear within a few seconds. Most often, swelling of the lower extremities in pregnant women occurs in the heat, especially if the second half of the gestation period occurs in the summer. Often this condition intensifies at the end of the day, with general fatigue and after heavy physical exertion.
An “emergency” call for your period is quite common today. Often a woman resorts to using “what our women drank” products, suspecting an unplanned pregnancy. From the point of view of modern
Particular deterioration of the condition can be observed in the third trimester of pregnancy. You should not be negligent about this phenomenon - the root cause of edema is high blood pressure has a detrimental effect on the fetus . Thus, the unborn child does not receive enough nutrients through the blood vessels of the placenta, since blood flow in this case is obstructed. Constant hypertensive manifestations and, as a result, compression of the lumens of the veins, can lead to oxygen starvation or even fetal death. Every pregnant woman needs to know the dangers of swelling in order to take appropriate measures in time.
Edema is an excessive accumulation of fluid in a certain part of the body and retention of its excess. This phenomenon is familiar to almost every pregnant woman; most often the problem occurs in the later stages. The danger to the health of the expectant mother and baby depends on the intensity of the edema; the problem should be solved with the help of a doctor, because, first of all, it is necessary to understand the cause of the edema and only then begin to treat it.
As a rule, edema during pregnancy occurs from the fourth month; if the process began earlier, you should inform your doctor about it. This phenomenon may indicate a hidden pathology; it is possible that it will be revealed at a later date and endanger the life of the baby and the health of the pregnant woman.
Most representatives of the fair sex suffer from edema during the period of bearing a child, but one cannot look for the cause of this phenomenon in pregnancy; as a rule, we are talking about improper functioning of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, excess water in the body, and excessive physical exertion. Often, swelling is caused by the fact that the constantly enlarging uterus compresses the blood vessels, and the blood feels significant obstructions when moving.
In the late stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother's legs and arms swell, but there are cases when the swelling spreads throughout the body and the woman begins to quickly gain weight, this phenomenon is called “dropsy.” When you have dropsy, it is difficult to clench your hand into a fist or bend your leg. If left untreated, dropsy can develop into the most dangerous form of edema - gestosis.
Preeclampsia is a late toxicosis in which severe swelling, high blood pressure, and high protein content in the urine are observed; all these factors significantly increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. G
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Thromboembolism of the pulmonary arteries is the occlusion of the vascular bed of the lungs by blood clots, primarily formed in the veins of the systemic circulation or in the right cavities of the heart and brought into it by the blood flow.
Whatever the reason for the liver pain - from inflammation of the gallbladder or due to the hepatitis virus, due to cirrhosis or progressive liver failure - one thing is clear: measures to save the situation must be taken immediately. And, obviously, the most radical.
After the operation, my back hurts a lot from the lower back to the tailbone. The legs hurt along the back to the bottom of the calf, heels and big toes. More on the right. I can’t stand or walk for more than 15-20 minutes, my lower back starts to hurt and my legs hurt more and more, then I can’t step on them and the pain goes up the spine to my head, it starts to put pressure, my head hurts and there’s a veil in my eyes. It is very painful to climb the stairs. When bending forward and backward, the pain in the back and legs intensifies. Behind the knee of the right leg there is a pulling, as if a vein is hurting. In the morning I can’t get up on my feet, it’s heavy, it takes about 30 minutes to get going. The soles of the feet and palms of the hands periodically burn, go numb, and leg cramps occur.
With any physical activity you feel bad, there is not enough air, as if there is a congestion somewhere and there is nothing to breathe and it begins to put pressure on your head. Even when I get dressed, I start to choke and my head presses. When I stand too, especially when I straighten up straight, I immediately begin to put pressure on my head and behind my ears and I begin to choke. If you can’t sit or lie down, all your muscles begin to ache. There is trembling and weakness in the legs and arms. There is pain in the muscles of the arms even with a slight load when I comb or write. I can’t carry a bag that’s not very heavy, my arms hurt and the pain immediately goes to the lower back, tailbone, legs and puts pressure on my head.
My near vision is greatly reduced; I can’t see near with my right eye. Spirals and midges constantly move in the eyes and never disappear; with load, they become more numerous. There are colors in the eyes like splinters. When I close my eyes I also see white dots. The eyes hurt in the middle, it feels like they are popping out, it hurts to turn to the side
All the time there is pressure on the back of my head, my forehead, a veil in my eyes prevents me from looking, glare, double vision, everything blurs, my consciousness is confused, I can’t concentrate, my vision narrows, I feel nauseous, I feel dizzy. The head seems to be filled with something. There is periodic ringing and noise in my head. It’s like there’s sand in the neck, in the eyes and behind the ears.
Swelling all over the body, especially the legs, at the bottom of the legs like cuffs and lumps under the skin. It hurts to touch your feet. The muscles atrophied, became soft, as if they were not there at all. I'm all puffed up. Doctors say pasty.
In the abdomen above the navel there is pain, pressure, cutting, especially after eating. The stomach is constantly distended, constantly grumbling and there is a lot of gas. There is dysbacteriosis. As soon as I eat, I also feel bad, I’m choking and there’s pressure on my head. I often feel nauseous in the morning and continue throughout the day. The feces have an unpleasant odor and contain particles of undigested food.
At night the side I’m lying on goes numb, I have to roll over all the time, I can’t sleep on my stomach, there’s pain in my lower back, legs and head. I can’t sleep on my back for a long time; it puts pressure on the back of my head and my head starts to hurt. The right leg hurts at night and twitches in the toes. There are lumbagos like a needle from the sole upwards. I wake up several times at night from a strong ringing in my head. And also when I fall asleep I hear a strong ringing several times. At night I sweat a lot, all my hair and shirt are wet. The pressure drops from 90 to 60 or 85-55 and then I can’t get up at all. Before the operation, my blood pressure was 120 over 80. This was my constant blood pressure, I felt good and was never sick or in the hospital. If I was sick, it was rare and only acute respiratory infections.
According to blood tests, there is toxicity, it exceeds the norm by 2.5 times. Red spots constantly appear on the neck and eyes and itch, peel, and the head itches all the time. Many red dots and moles have appeared on the body and they are becoming more numerous. There are bruises under the eyes. Hair is falling out a lot. I constantly feel very tired
Before the operation I weighed 50-52 kg. Every year my weight increases, I eat the same. This is due to swelling of the blood vessels. There's probably a lack of traffic somewhere. Now I weigh almost 60. I am constantly tired, even when I wake up. Fatigue is growing and since lunch I can barely walk, I have no strength to move at all.
It seems to me that there are problems with blood vessels, the spine and the gastrointestinal tract. Most likely, the vessels or adhesions between organs are mechanically clamped and the sidal or other nerve is affected.
Our doctors cannot understand anything. I went for examinations to another city. . Did an MRI: disc protrusions L4-S1, archiodal cysts of the sacral canal and sacral foramen S1-S2, L4-S1 Rotated, reduced height at the L4-5 foramina? The left intervertebral foramen was stenated. Signs of osteochondrosis L4-S1 left-sided foramental disc protrusion. The neurosurgeon said that the pain comes from the fact that blood vessels or nerves in the peritoneum may be affected, or adhesions.
There are congenital heart problems. Valve prolapse and aneurysm I am sending you the results. Help me please! Tell me, what's wrong with me? Is it possible to come to you for examination? I have no strength to live like this anymore. Thank you in advance.
The occurrence of this disease is influenced by various factors. But pregnant women have their own causes of varicose veins, which are absent in other people. During pregnancy, especially in the second part, the vessels of the lower extremities receive increased stress, which forces them to work more intensely. They cannot always cope with such a load.
The main causes of illness during pregnancy:
There are simple and complicated forms of the disease. During pregnancy, the simplest form is most often encountered. It is manifested by the presence of a thin venous network on the extremities and minor nodes on the veins. After the birth of a child, varicose veins usually go away.
The complicated form is characterized by the appearance of blood clots, which is very dangerous during pregnancy. If the clot breaks loose, it can cause a vein to become blocked.
At the initial stage, the disease occurs without pronounced symptoms. A cosmetic defect such as capillary mesh may appear on the legs. Slight deformation of the venous vessels is observed. The veins are partially pinched, causing stagnation.
Early manifestations of varicose veins also include:
The next morning, these symptoms of varicose veins may subside or disappear. Then appear again.
As the disease progresses, convulsions appear and significant deformation of the venous networks occurs. They protrude above the surface of the legs in the form of knots or in a serpentine shape.
It is very important to notice the disease in the early stages in order to begin treatment quickly and not cause harm to the unborn child.
Diagnosing varicose veins in pregnant women is not difficult. To clarify the diagnosis, the woman undergoes an examination by a gynecologist and a vascular surgeon. If a visual examination is not enough, the doctor will refer the patient for additional examinations:
With the help of such diagnostics, it is possible to determine the nature of blood movement in the venous vessels and determine the degree of danger of the disease.
How to treat varicose veins during pregnancy? Treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy is a long and complex process. It is necessary to take action at the slightest sign of the disease. Therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a surgeon or phlebologist, and at the initial stage of the disease - a gynecologist.
Varicose veins require the use of medications to reduce signs of the disease and improve blood flow.
Groups of drugs used for varicose veins in pregnant women:
The use of external foot products, such as ointment or cream, should only be prescribed by a doctor . They may contain components that can cause allergies and are harmful to the unborn child.
Pregnant women may be prescribed: Troxevasin ointment, Venoruton cream, Fastum-gel, Lyoton 100o-gel, heparin ointment.
They prevent the formation of blood clots, relieve swelling and inflammation, and strengthen vascular walls.
This drastic measure is resorted to in the event of the formation of a non-healing trophic ulcer or severe thrombophlebitis .
It is advisable to perform the operation before 6 months of pregnancy . The safest method of surgical removal of varicose veins today is scraping. The surgeon uses a special microprobe to remove the affected area of the vein. Recovery after such an operation is quick, there is no pain.
The doctor decides how to give birth to a woman with varicose veins. It all depends on the nature of the disease. With a simple form of the disease, natural childbirth usually occurs. Before this, the veins must be compressed with compression stockings . The day before, you should do a blood clotting test.
The complicated form in most cases requires a cesarean section. During the birth process, there is a danger that a blood clot may break off. This can cause it to enter the pulmonary artery. And this threatens to be fatal.
It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it. This is especially true for pregnant women, whose treatment is complicated by contraindications to the use of many medications.
We invite you to watch a video in which surgeon and phlebologist A.B. Komarov. measures to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy are described
There are many factors that can alert a girl during pregnancy. The most frightening and unpleasant thing is swelling. Swelling is not only unattractive in appearance, but also indicates dangerous internal changes.
If you encounter such phenomena, you should immediately contact your doctor. Ignoring the condition or letting swelling take its course is extremely irresponsible and dangerous.
The appearance of edema during pregnancy is associated with:
Outwardly, it is not difficult to determine whether you have such an illness. And in order to be completely convinced of your suspicions, it is enough to simply press the skin with your finger; if at the point of pressure the skin immediately returns to its original position - there is no need to worry.
But if a hole remains at the place of pressure, then this is already an alarm bell. This bell indicates that you have swelling. It happens that swelling is localized in the lower parts of the legs, feet and legs - this indicates that there is not enough water in the body, and the pregnant woman is constantly thirsty. After all, pregnancy itself is a state of the body characterized by water retention.
The adult human body consists of 80% water. Imagine a situation where, in a relatively short period of time, another one is formed inside the body, the life support of which also requires water and it must be taken somewhere.
During the normal course of pregnancy, 7-8 liters of fluid accumulate in the body, 4-5 of which are outside the body tissues, and only the remaining part is in the tissues. By the end of the third trimester, about three liters of fluid accumulates in the placenta and amniotic fluid.
An additional three liters of fluid goes towards increasing blood volume and developing the mammary glands. This whole process of fluid accumulation begins early - usually after the eighth week of pregnancy.
At the same time, not all the collected liquid is always used in the right direction; given the ability of any organism to accumulate in itself something that can suddenly disappear, the body often stores a larger volume of liquid than necessary, which is where swelling begins.
In clinical practice, starting from the 20th week of pregnancy, edema may appear, which should be treated with special attention. In such cases, the woman is prescribed tests to determine the cause of this phenomenon. At the same time, we should not forget that these are not always manifestations of gestosis.
Preeclampsia is a complication of late pregnancy, previously called late toxicosis.
With gestosis, intra-arterial pressure increases and renal function is impaired, which leads to the appearance of protein in the urine. The blood vessels of the brain are also affected. In the later stages of pregnancy, the cause may be impaired outflow of urine, as a result of an increase in the size of the uterus and compression of the ureters.
Everything in the body has its own reasons, including edema. These can be not only physiological changes associated with pregnancy, but also pathologies of various origins.
Physiological disorders that can cause leg swelling during pregnancy:
Typically, edema during pregnancy carries a high degree of danger for the patient. And if treated incorrectly or not, they can cause hospitalization.
Therapy includes methods that do not harm the mother and fetus, respectively. It is important to know that if symptoms worsen, self-medication is not acceptable; dire consequences may develop.
Having listed the causes of occurrence, we can summarize: edema appears when fluid is improperly removed from the body, this fluid is retained, as a rule, in the lower extremities, and as the uterus grows, strong pressure is exerted on the blood vessels, which entails a violation of the outflow of blood.
In addition to rapid weight gain, there is an increase in venous pressure, while the liquid component of the plasma blood enters the body tissues.
With a long-term negative effect of edema on the walls of blood vessels, changes in the structure and deformation of the vascular walls may develop. As a result, the development of varicose veins, thickening and loss of elasticity of blood vessels, and aggravation of the situation to a critical level.
Occurs when:
If edema develops into a pathological phenomenon during pregnancy, pay attention to the kidneys and heart , as this may indicate the presence of chronic diseases.
Although widespread, swelling of the legs during pregnancy has not ceased to cause pain. If you experience discomfort and a feeling of tightness while wearing your usual shoes, or if you gain weight by more than 400 grams per week, you should be wary and consult a doctor.
If the patient does not have heart or kidney diseases, edema can only appear in the second half of pregnancy. In such a situation, swelling may appear in the legs, then arms and abdomen.
It is noted that in the morning swelling may be minimal or absent altogether, but in the evening there is an aggravation of the situation with the accumulation of fluid in the body.
The presence of edema during pregnancy is not always due to pathology, because the body in this state can accumulate sodium, and this, in turn, attracts and retains water.
Typically, an unbalanced diet, eating fatty and salty foods aggravates the situation. It is generally accepted that edema without a pathological origin does not pose a health hazard and is a companion to pregnancy.
For mild manifestations of edema, it is enough to simply rest, take a position, lying on your side, drink a course of diuretic tea or mixture, and minimize salt intake with food. In more severe forms of edema, when the arms are also affected, and there is no rest state, this may indicate the development of gestosis.
Self-medication of edema in this case is not acceptable; hospitalization may be required. With exacerbation and worsening of gestosis, an increase in blood pressure is observed, protein is released into the urine, and the health of the fetus and woman is at risk.
Swelling of the fingers and hands during pregnancy is a common occurrence. When excess fluid accumulates, pressure is exerted on the veins and blood metabolism is disrupted, nerves are compressed and a feeling of severe discomfort is felt.
In the last trimester, doctors do not recommend wearing jewelry on your hands. Sometimes, when swelling appears earlier, rings and bracelets are also removed. If you do not remove all the jewelry in time, there may be unpleasant consequences; when the stage comes when swelling appears constantly, they will cut heavily into the skin and you will not be able to remove them.
Changes in hormonal levels. During pregnancy, a woman’s entire hormonal system is rebuilt and adjusted to provide the fetus with everything it needs. Progesterone, the hormone responsible for the safety and development of the fetus, increases sharply.
If it is present in the blood, the body undergoes strong changes in its functioning.
So, you may feel banal mood swings and not at all banal water retention in the body.
The body’s immune system weakens, and as a result, it becomes defenseless against various kinds of viruses and infections, and they cause edema.
Allergic reactions can also cause swelling during pregnancy; the reagent can be food or household chemicals.
If you do not adhere to the daily routine, severe fatigue and exhaustion of the body, problems with the skin, malfunctions of internal organs and swelling appear.
Quite often, it is not possible to independently determine the cause of swelling in the hands. To properly prescribe treatment, special laboratory tests and samples are needed, as well as constant health monitoring by a doctor. With the right therapy, the harm from edema can be minimized.
Swelling of the fingers and hands is a common occurrence during pregnancy. Edema can be determined by the following signs: numbness of the hands, a squeezing feeling in the wrists, a constant tingling sensation in the fingers.
There are a number of conditions that provoke swelling of the hands: when repeating monotonous hand movements, for example, knitting, modeling, working at the computer. In addition to the above-mentioned unpleasant sensations, the so-called “tunnel syndrome” often appears, in which pain in the wrists is constantly felt.
With regular and correct exercises and arm warm-ups, you can easily avoid discomfort and reduce the degree of swelling during pregnancy. If swelling of the arms is accompanied by swelling of the lumbar region, abdomen or back, you should immediately consult a doctor.
This type of edema is provoked by the following factors:
Changes in the chemical composition of the blood, protein and salts become less, which leads to dehydration of the circulatory system. In the last stages of pregnancy, the uterus enlarges so much that it literally squeezes the veins and vessels in the pelvis, which disrupts the blood flow between the upper and lower parts of the body.
An externally swollen face becomes rounded; when you try to smile, an unpleasant sensation appears in the cheeks; when you press your finger on the skin, a depression remains, which evens out over time. If you notice similar symptoms in yourself, then you should absolutely not self-medicate. Doctors must choose a diet for you and prescribe a course of medication.
Swelling during late pregnancy is such a common problem that people even began to make superstitions about it. Some say that if you frequently touch a swollen face, the baby may be born with birthmarks. But the majority will accept it; only the superstitions of our ancestors have no scientific basis. Still, often you should not touch your face in order to avoid clogging the pores and causing acne.
Each visit to the attending physician by a pregnant woman should be accompanied by a detailed examination and attention to her complaints. The doctor must monitor the weight that the patient gains; if the process of weight gain is rapid and extensive, then attention should be paid to the presence of edema. Swelling in the legs may be mild or absent altogether.
This situation indicates the possible presence of hidden, internal edema. Before each visit to the doctor, it is strongly recommended to take a urine test, which, if protein is present, will indicate edema in the body. Also, a urine test can reveal abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys and determine the cause of the development of edema.
If your urine tests are bad, your gynecologist may additionally prescribe an ultrasound of the kidneys and a complete blood test . But the presence of protein in the urine is not always a sign of pathology; sometimes it is enough to simply retake the test in a laboratory, where the data is deciphered manually.
Many doctors instruct patients to count the daily volume of water they drink and the amount of urine, calculating the difference. If the amount of urine is much less, then this is a reason for further research.
The best solution would be to drink clean water without gas . It is better to avoid drinks such as coffee, tea, sweet juices and soda. The first thing to be removed from the diet is sauerkraut, followed by pickles, nuts, black olives, black bread, salted fish and meat. Limit the consumption of fried, smoked and food with a high content of spices as much as possible.
Once a week or a week and a half it is worth carrying out fasting days, during which you cannot eat or drink anything except freshly squeezed nipples and apples. Walking under strong sun and on hot days also falls into the taboo category.
The patient should exclude the possibility of overwork, rest more and follow a daily routine. You should try not to stay in the same position for a long time, move more and do light physical exercise.
All these measures are indicated if there are no contraindications to their implementation. You need to take frequent and long walks in the fresh air and, if possible, relax in nature. And when you're getting ready for bed, place a pillow or blanket under your feet to help circulate fluid in your lower extremities.
Cool baths and foot massage help with swelling in the legs; a decoction of dried apricots works well against swelling. To obtain a decoction, you need to take a glass of dried apricots and pour boiling water over it overnight and close the lid. The next morning the decoction is ready, you need to take it on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals. You can resort to many other gentle folk methods of combating edema.
Regular white cabbage fights edema well; the leaves should be dark green in color and pre-cooled in the refrigerator. Apply cold leaves to the swollen areas of the legs, soon you will see droplets of moisture on the leaf, this leaf is removed and a new one is placed in its place.
But you shouldn’t prescribe medications yourself; anti-edema medications that you took before are also not allowed, because they can harm the fetus. Self-medication is not acceptable.
Above we have listed physiological edema during pregnancy, to eliminate which a diet for pregnant women and control of the amount of fluid consumed is sufficient. And most importantly, remember that fluid is retained in the body due to the high salt content in it, so limit your salt intake. The norm for a pregnant body is 8 grams of salt per day, in normal conditions it can be increased to 14 grams.
In case of exacerbations of edema, a diet is introduced that does not allow the intake of salt with food. It happens that the patient is prescribed diuretics, but only after examinations.
But not everything is so simple, there are types of edema that do not go away with a diet. Then you have to resort to complex drug treatment. Particular attention is paid to finding and eliminating the cause of the appearance. Preeclampsia during pregnancy remains a difficult problem.
Edema is present, but dehydration of the body can often be observed along with it. And there can be no question of limiting the amount of water to a minimum. For gestosis, a strict diet and drug treatment are prescribed, the course of which cannot be interrupted or stopped without the instructions of a doctor.
As a rule, with home therapy, edema is treated successfully, and hospitalization is resorted to only in particularly severe cases. When undergoing a long course of therapy, relief of symptoms is not long in coming; in cases where therapy does not have a positive effect, hospitalization is carried out.
I would like to draw attention to tips that will not harm the fetus when dealing with edema.
It is worth following a few recommendations:
Taking into account all of the above, we can summarize. Edema does not just appear, there must be a reason for everything that happens and you need to determine it as soon as possible, it could be a chronic disease. You should not be surprised by anything, even if it is swelling of the nose during pregnancy, it is still worth treating it.
In a good way, before pregnancy it is worth undergoing an examination of organs such as the heart and kidneys, because the root cause of edema is a malfunction of these organs. Detection of edema before pregnancy will make it possible to quickly and effectively treat the disease without fear for the health of the fetus, which may suffer during therapy during pregnancy.
Also, when planning a pregnancy, you should accustom yourself in advance to a sleep-wake schedule. Listen to your internal biorhythms and choose the optimal set of physical exercises. Naturally, exercises allowed in the early stages of pregnancy should not be performed in the last trimester. Train yourself to walk outside, you will only benefit from it.
And get used to not eating salty or fried foods. In general, it is worth remembering that pregnancy is not a disease, but a special condition of the body that requires not treatment, but a more attentive attitude towards oneself.
Any ailment is easier to treat in the early stages, and swelling during pregnancy is no exception. You should strictly adhere to the doctor’s recommendations and prescriptions. As mentioned above, self-medication is not acceptable; you can choose not only an ineffective remedy, but also harm yourself, and even worse, your child.