How To Reduce Leg Edema During Pregnancy?
It is known that edema in the legs during pregnancy is caused by the retention of fluid in the body and poor blood supply in the extremities, caused by the pressure of the uterus on the veins.
However, even though this problem cannot be eliminated by the pregnancy process itself, there is a way to reduce it.
How to reduce leg edema
Avoid holding the same position for a long time
Inflammation in the lower extremities prevails and even worsens when you remain in the same position for a long time, whether sitting or standing.
In order to prevent this from happening, we advise you to sit, walk, do some task, lie down, etc. at regular intervals. In short, maintain a balance between rest and rest, also alternating between one posture and another.
To walk
Walking is excellent exercise for the pregnant woman.
As long as your gynecologist or obstetrician allows, take short walks. This physical activity contributes to better blood circulation.
massage
Massages, especially on the legs, stimulate the lymph nodes and improve lymph circulation .
This therapeutic process also helps to reduce bruises and deflate varicose veins.
put your feet up
When you sit or lie down, put your feet up. This helps improve blood circulation and reduces pressure on your legs.
Consume salt healthily
Salt is important for the human body because it provides iodine.
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can cause goiter, weight gain, miscarriage, depression, in addition to mental retardation and fetal deformities.
Salt helps with good hydration because it increases the desire to drink water and helps to regulate body fluids. Furthermore, it also participates in the generation of nerve impulses and muscle relaxation.
However, like its lack, too much salt can be bad, especially during pregnancy.
At this stage, exaggerated sodium iodide can increase blood pressure and promote overweight, in addition to increasing problems with the kidneys and fluid retention until it causes edema.
If you plan to have a happy pregnancy, balance your intake of salt in your diet.
keep your legs moving
The movement of your legs serves to relieve the weight you feel in them, the numbness and inflammation.
wear flat shoes
During pregnancy you should avoid heels or high shoes. That’s because they are always more dangerous than any other footwear you might wear.
Flat shoes, which are not too tight on the foot, benefit your locomotion and improve blood supply to the lower extremities.
drink enough water
Edema is the product of fluid retention in the body. However, this does not mean that to reduce it you should drink less water. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
If you suffer from inflammation in your legs, it is best to have good hydration.
Water helps to purify the body and remove toxins from the lymph, which directly reduces edema.
Consume fruits and drink diuretic plant infusions
To decrease fluid retention, consume fruits and drink diuretic herbal infusions.
Among the fruits, tropical ones such as pineapple, lemon, orange and melon cannot be missing. If drinking the infusions, choose between dandelion, vervain and nettle.
Also, eat vegetables that have this property, among them, we suggest you make salads with celery, asparagus and ripe tomatoes.
How to reduce leg edema during pregnancy?
Finally, we give these other advices:
- Wet your legs with cold water and then with hot water. Switch between temperatures to increase blood circulation
- Wear loose clothing, especially underwear
- Apply relaxing gels to tired legs.
