Swollen feet, ankles, legs and hands are common symptoms of pregnancy. You may notice the rings on your fingers feel tight. This swelling happens when the body retains water, which is caused by a couple of changes in the body during pregnancy.
As the uterus enlarges, it presses down on the main veins to the legs. This reduces the flow of blood returning to the heart, which pushes the water into the tissues into the legs and feet.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, as many women do during pregnancy, additional water can be pushed into the body tissues. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor will closely monitor your condition for signs of preeclampsia.
Contributing to your discomfort are increased levels of the hormoneA complex chemical substance created in a part or organ of the body. When released it initiates or regulates activity in an organ or group of cells in another part of the body.
Hormones secreted by endocrine glands are transported through the bloodstream to their target organ. The amount of hormone secreted is regulated either by other hormones, by neurotransmitters, or simply when an excess of the organ's activity indicates a need to reduce the amount of the hormone produced.
Other hormones are produced locally by the organs themselves and are common in the digestive tract.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. progesteroneOne of the two naturally occuring female hormones (the other is estrogen) used to regulate and maintain the pregnancy. Produced first by the corpus luteum in the ovary, production is subsequently taken over by the placenta as it develops. During pregnancy a mother's production of progesterone ten times the level it was prior to conception. Progesterone and estrogen are responsible for giving many mothers a sense of tranquility, shiny hair and glowing skin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., which cause the kidneys to retain more sodiumOne of the most important elements in the human body, sodium helps control the body's acid-base balance, water retention as well as transmit nerve impulses and muscle contractions. The body's sodium levels are controlled by the kidney.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. during pregnancy. The extra salt in your body holds water and leaves you feeling bloated, the same way you feel before your period.
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Water retention occurs during the third trimester and is noticeable from about week twenty four onwards. It may become increasingly uncomfortable near the end of pregnancy.
The health of your baby is not affected by the presence of edema and will be no different than that of a woman who has no signs of water retention. Your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of preeclampsia as a result of high blood pressure.
If you suffered from water retention during your pregnancy, it may last for a few days after you deliver the baby as your hormonesA complex chemical substance created in a part or organ of the body. When released it initiates or regulates activity in an organ or group of cells in another part of the body.
Hormones secreted by endocrine glands are transported through the bloodstream to their target organ. The amount of hormone secreted is regulated either by other hormones, by neurotransmitters, or simply when an excess of the organ's activity indicates a need to reduce the amount of the hormone produced.
Other hormones are produced locally by the organs themselves and are common in the digestive tract.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. return to normal. The swelling in your legs and feet will reduce as you pass urine and flush the water out of your body.
You are more likely to feel bloated during hot weather. It can also be aggravated when you travel by commercial airliner. Revisit your diet and make sure that you are getting enough protein. Although experts say that sodiumOne of the most important elements in the human body, sodium helps control the body's acid-base balance, water retention as well as transmit nerve impulses and muscle contractions. The body's sodium levels are controlled by the kidney.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. is an important part of your diet it is important not to consume too much salt. At least one study has shown that sodium deficiency can cause muscle cramps in hot weather, while too much sodium can increase the incidence of preeclampsia. If you feel bloated, avoid standing for long periods. Move around so that your calf muscles pump blood back up into your body.
Try and rest frequently. Lie on your side so that the uterus does not put pressure on the veins that circulate blood from the legs to the heart. Pregnancy support hose can provide relief to many women.
By the third trimester many women have trouble fitting in their shoes. Try to wear shoes with low heels (less than two inches), or flats and tennis shoes. You may find that you will need to buy bigger shoes towards the end of your pregnancy.
Even though you feel bloated, it is important to drink plenty of water each day. Four or five glasses daily is important to maintain good and healthy kidney function. Do not take a diureticOne of a series of drugs which are used to promote urination in the patient. They are given to reduce the volume of non-cellular fluids, usually in the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure and edema.
Whether the drug falls into the category of thiazides, mercurials, loop diuretics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, thiazide-like diuretics or potassium-sparing diuretics will depend on the condition of the patient.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. unless it has been prescribed by your doctor. If your fingers and face appear swollen it may be because your kidneys are not removing waste from your body effectively. You should consult your doctor since it may be sign that the placentaThe placenta is a large disk shaped membrane responsible for providing nourishment to the fetus during pregnancy. It consists of three parts, the fetal part made up from the chorion membrane surrounding the fetus, the maternal part, formed from the decidua basalis layer of the uterine lining, and the intervillous space between the two plates. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord and consists of tissue from both the mother and the embryo.
Its function is complex. It has been described as a simple organ that combines the functions of a kidney-dialysis machine, heart and lung machine and intravenous drip. It consists of enormous numbers of blood vessel branches that permit the exchange of nutrition and oxygen, from the mother's bloodstream to the fetus and the removal of wastes to the mother to be excreted. The placenta's remarkable quality is that it does so without the blood of the mother mixing with that of the baby.
It also is responsible for the production of vital hormones including, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. After birth, the placenta is delivered, and is sometimes referred to as the afterbirth.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. is not working efficiently.
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