During pregnancy, a series of physical and emotional changes take place in a woman's body. They are mainly the first ones, the physical changes, the that cause discomforts such as fluid retention. This is one of the most frequent complaints, especially towards the third trimester of pregnancy. And although it is quite uncomfortable, the truth is that it is possible to prevent inflammation due to fluid retention.
Symptoms usually appear in the last weeks of pregnancy, however, many women suffer from these discomforts during practically the entire pregnancy. Fluid retention is caused by different causes, some of them directly related to pregnancy, something that cannot be avoided. But there are factors that increase the probability of suffering from these discomforts and these are within your reach.
Why does fluid retention occur in pregnancy?
The accumulation of fluids in pregnancy occurs completely naturally. CAs a consequence of the hormonal and substance changes of pregnancy developed by the body itself. In addition, the increase in the size of the uterus causes the blood vessels to compress and for this reason, the correct blood flow is complicated.
Another cause is increased blood flow, since during pregnancy, blood volume increases by approximately 40% to 45%. As a consequence of these changes in the body of the pregnant woman, they cause fluids to accumulate in the tissues and inflammation appears in different parts of the body.
External causes of pregnancy
In addition to the causes mentioned, which are unavoidable since they are part of the natural process of pregnancy, there are other causes that favor fluid retention.
- The overweight is an important risk factor
- Wear clothes and very tight footwear
- El excessive salt intake at meals
- Spending a lot of time in the same posture, especially standing
- Circulatory problems prior to pregnancy
Usually the symptoms usually manifest towards the end of pregnancy and they can last up to a few weeks after giving birth.
The most obvious symptoms caused by fluid retention in pregnant women is the swelling usually in the legs and ankles. Although in many cases, edema can also appear on the face or hands. In addition to inflammation, fluid retention causes heaviness and tiredness in the legs and problems wearing certain types of footwear.
Tips to avoid fluid retention
The main thing and more important is to follow a healthy and balanced diet, since it is essential to avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy to avoid this and other complications. In addition, you can follow the following recommendations to avoid swollen feet due to fluid retention.
- Reduce salt intake. It is not necessary that you eliminate salt completely from your meals, but it is very important that you control it as much as possible. Also, you should avoid consuming especially salty products, like chips and bagged snacks.
- Drink lots of water. It is very important that you deeply hydrate your body, you must drink at least two liters of water a day.
- Physical activity. Exercising stimulates blood flow and this is essential to avoid accumulation in the tissues. Walk every day for at least 30 minutes to improve blood circulation. You can also practice the exercises that we mentioned in this article.
- Eat foods rich in potassium. Potassium is a very important mineral for the body, as it helps regulate water in cells. Foods rich in potassium will help you eliminate fluids through urine. Include foods such as bananas, pineapple, spinach or zucchini in your diet, among others.
- Evita spending too much time in the same posture. Above all, you should avoid spending a lot of time sitting or cross-legged. Try to keep legs up whenever possible.
- Wear light clothing and natural fabrics. Avoid wearing clothing and shoes that are too tight.
In short, it introduces healthy living habits and you can reduce the effects of fluid retention during pregnancy.