PREGNANCY AND SWELLING

      The fluid retention and increased amount of body fluids in the tissue space outside the blood vessels reflect the normal hormonal changes of a healthy pregnancy; although many women notice a slight puffiness or swelling in the fingers, hands and face (which is uncomfortable, but benign),  much of the additional fluid congregates in the lower part of the body, namely the feet, ankles and genital area, and is related to the pull of gravity and the pressure of the enlarging uterus on vessels that bring blood back to the heart; this is called dependent edema and usually decreases after rest or a night’s sleep on your side.

      The problem is made worse by prolonged periods of sitting or standing, carrying a large fetus or twins, being overweight, hot weather, increased  perspirations and excess loss of salt, inadequate intake of fluids, protein or salt, and anemia.

      Please remember to consult with your provider before following any advice or using any treatments.  Here are some suggestions in dealing with this condition:

-                     Do regular exercise like dancing, brisk walking, swimming or water aerobics for at least ½ hour 5 days per week

-                     Avoid restricting your fluid intake, which will actually aggravate the problem; drink at least 8 glasses of fluid daily, ideally of water, seltzer, or herbal tea

-                     Avoid salt excess, but don’t restrict your intake either; salt your food to taste (you need a minimum of 2-3 grams of sodium daily)

-                     Make sure your diet has enough protein foods (60-80 grams)

-                     Check if you are anemic and increase your intake of iron with food and/or a herbal supplement like Floradix iron and herbs or Yellow Dock root as directed on our anemia handout

-                     Drink strong Nettles tea regularly

-                     Avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing, and lying on your back during the third trimester

-                     Flex or bend your feet back towards your body several times at frequent intervals if you have to sit or stand for a long time

-                     Take frequent breaks to lie down or sit with your legs elevated above the level of your body (ideally for 1-2 hours 1-2 times daily, depending on how much swelling you have)

-                     Don’t stand if you can sit, don’t sit if you can lie down, and don’t cross your legs while sitting

-                     Avoid tight restrictive clothing from the wrist down, especially socks, knee highs, tight pants and girdles

-                     Wear comfortable flat shoes instead of high-heeled or ill-fitting ones

-                     Put on elastic maternity support stockings before you get out of bed in the morning, but raise your legs first to empty them as much as possible from excess fluid

-                     Avoid diuretic medications

-                     Safe and gentle herbal diuretics include  Hawthorne berries (try Gaia or Eclectic institute’s encapsulated freeze-dried extract 500 mg/day or 1-2 caps 2-4 times per day) and/or freeze-dried Dandelion leaves (1-2 caps 2-4 times/day); you can also try drinking black tea (if you are not a regular drinker of caffeine), and/or cornsilk tea (1 cup 2-4 times/day)

-                     Consult a professional homeopath to suggest a remedy specific for your symptoms, as there are many homeopathic remedies that are not only safe but also effective for treating this condition

      Please call your provider if these suggestions do not help, your swelling becomes severe, excessive, generalized throughout your body or it increases especially in your hands and face to the point in which pressing the puffy area leaves an indentation mark, if it is only affecting one arm or leg, not both, if it is as bad in the morning as it is at the end of the day, if you experience sudden weight gain (5 pounds or more in less than 1 week) not related to diet changes or reduced activity, and if it is associated with headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, spots before your eyes or blurry vision, changes in mental status, chest or abdominal pain, shortness of breath or other unusual symptoms.