Why Do My Feet and Hands Swell During Pregnancy?

Swelling of the legs and arms is perhaps among the most frequent bodily changes that women recognize during their pregnancy. Though it is usually safe, the condition may be irritating and sometimes cause anxiety. A lot of women who go to a gynecologist specialist in Chennai inquire if this swelling is just a normal occurrence or an indication of a serious disease. The answer to this is based on how pregnancy influences the blood flow, hormones, and the body fluid.

We are going to figure out in this article which circumstances lead to swelling during pregnancy, the signs when the swelling is normal, and the instances in which the swelling is indicative of a need for medical intervention.

What Causes Swelling During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy modifies your body significantly to be able to accommodate the baby that is growing inside you. One of these changes is increased fluid retention and pressure on the blood vessels.

The common causes are:

• Increased blood and fluid volume: To support the baby, your body will make almost 50 percent more blood and fluids during pregnancy, which can lead to a situation where the fluid gets into the tissues of the hands and feet.
• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy hormones cause the walls of blood vessels to relax, thus circulation becomes slower and fluid retention in the lower extremities occurs.
• Pressure from the growing uterus: When the uterus gets bigger, it is pressing on the veins in the pelvis, so that the blood returning from the legs to the heart is more difficult.

Why Is Swelling More Noticeable in the Feet and Hands?

Gravity is the main factor here. When one is standing or sitting for a long time, it is a natural occurrence that the fluids in the body move downward. That is the reason why swelling is often more severe:

• In the evenings
• After long hours of standing
• In hot weather
• During the later stages of pregnancy

It is possible for hands to become swollen as a result of fluid retention and reduced circulation, and in such cases, it may be that one experiences tight rings or a slight numbness.

When Is Pregnancy Swelling Considered Normal?

Mild to moderate swelling, most of the time in the feet, ankles, and hands, is generally considered normal in pregnancy. It gets better very often with rest, elevation, and hydration.

Swelling that is normal generally:

• Grows slowly
• That’s why the swelling is seen in both feet or hands and at the same time
• The swelling disappears during the night or after a break

When Should Swelling Be Taken Seriously?

It is not necessary to ignore swelling of any kind. A swelling that is sudden or very intensive can be a sign of a harmful condition that requires immediate help.

Keep an eye on the following:

• Sudden swelling of the face or the area around the eyes
• Very fast swelling of a single leg
• Swelling together with headache, impaired vision, or high blood pressure
• Pain, redness, or warmth in the legs

Such symptoms may indicate serious diseases like preeclampsia or blood clots and thus, need to be checked without delay.

Simple Ways to Reduce Swelling Safely

Small lifestyle changes can help you control the normal pregnancy swelling that happens daily:

• Elevate your legs as often as you can
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time
• Use comfortable shoes and wear loose clothes
• Keep yourself well hydrated
• sleep on your left side as it helps circulation

Keeping up with the regular prenatal visits is a good way to make sure that the swelling will not exceed the normal limits.

Often, the swelling of the feet and hands that occurs during pregnancy can be considered as a natural reaction of the body to the new life it is going to support. But knowing the normal and identifying the signs of alert is very important for a safe pregnancy. Sugam Hospital, the top maternity hospital in Chennai, is the place where experts take care of you and monitor you closely and assure you peace of mind at each and every stage. A visit to our trusted gynececologist specialist will make you feel secure that any small changes will be handled with understanding, confidence, and compassion.