Pregnant Women Should Know How to Deal With Foot Pain
During pregnancy, not infrequently, pregnant women experience swelling of the ankles. Such conditions are reasonable. Roger W. Harms an obstetrics expert from the Mayo Clinic said, many factors that contribute to ankle swelling during pregnancy (including hormonal changes).
In this condition, for the first time the body will produce and retain more fluid during pregnancy. In addition, the enlarged uterus presses against the vessel, thereby disrupting the return of blood to the heart. This situation in turn can cause swelling in the ankle.
Then, what should pregnant women do to overcome an ankle swelling during pregnancy?
Here are some tips that might be able to follow pregnant women, according to Roger exposure:
- Avoid standing for long periods, and do not cross their legs. To create relaxing foot pregnant women can be done by occasionally turning an ankle. It would be better if the expectant mother lying down with feet elevated position.
- Sleep sideways. If you can, sleep sideways to the left. This position is to suppress the inferior vena cava blood vessel, or the largest vein that returns blood from the lower body to the heart. Another way you can do is lift a little leg pregnant women with the help of a pillow.
- Wear compression stockings. To cope with swelling in the legs, doctors will usually advise pregnant women to wear compression stockings. Compression stockings (also known as medical stockings) are used to treat problems with blood circulation and fluid in the legs.
- Drink plenty of water. The Institute of Medicine recommends about 10 cups (2.3 liters) of fluid a day during pregnancy.
- Perform physical activity. During pregnancy, it helps pregnant women do moderate exercise such as walking, riding a stationary bike or swim in the pool.
- Standing in the pool. Some studies reveal beneficial water pressure to the feet and ankles swollen. Standing in the pool will help to compress the tissue in the feet and provide temporary relief associated swelling during pregnancy.
- Stay calm. Pregnant woman may need stay calm to overcoming problems swollen feet. Compressed area of swollen legs with cold water. In addition, several studies have shown that massage the feet regularly can help lower the risk of leg swelling during pregnancy.
Although the swelling of the ankles during pregnancy in pregnant women is normal, but that does not mean these conditions can be considered trivial. According to Roger, like a swelling condition that occurs suddenly and occur only in one leg, should receive serious attention.
Severe swelling or suddenly can become a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia. The signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include, headache, blurred vision and decreased body weight quickly.Meanwhile, the swelling on only one foot is accompanied by pain or tenderness in the calf or thigh showed blood clotting has occurred.
