The last months of pregnancy are always considered the most difficult for a woman. Difficulties are caused not only by an increase in fetal mass, but also by the body's response to a new life inside the womb. The most common problem is late pregnancy edema. In most cases, the cause of their appearance is physiological, but exceptions are possible. When you should sound the alarm and consult a doctor, you will learn from the materials in this article.
Edema in late pregnancy - the norm or pathology?
Not every clinical case of edema during pregnancy indicates complications. The third trimester is characterized by an increase in the size of the uterus, which contributes to an increase in pressure on the ureters. A woman has problems with urination, and swelling occurs.
This problem is also diagnosed against the background of weight gain. Pregnant weight control for this reason is mandatory. To avoid edema or reduce their severity, doctors recommend a dairy and vegetable diet.
Limit the amount of fluid, in contrast, is not worth it. Doctors advise drinking up to two liters of water per day, but at the same time maintain strict control over the amount of urine. Its volume should be at least 60% of the amount of fluid consumed.
The situations described above are a prime example of physiological edema. Their manifestation can be reduced by adjusting nutrition and regimen. When this approach does not bring the desired results, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Edema is dangerous not only due to physical or aesthetic discomfort. Often they are a symptom of serious pathologies (varicose veins, renal failure, gestosis).
Late gestosis is considered the most common and at the same time dangerous disorder. If the general condition of the woman is satisfactory, but severe swelling is observed, you should inform the gynecologist about this. If this is not done in a timely manner, such neglect of the baby’s own health and well-being can affect the system “mother - placenta - fetus." Violation of this scheme often leads to oxygen starvation of the child, which affects its development.
Why do edema appear?
Edema during pregnancy in the later stages are manifested gradually. First of all, the legs swell, then this process "rises" through the body, affecting the lower back and arms. In especially serious cases - the face.
If physiological factors are excluded, there are a great many reasons for the development of pathological edema.
- Protein deficiency.
- Kidney disease (impaired outflow of fluid from the body).
- Pathology of the thyroid gland (change in water-salt balance).
- Cardiovascular disease (disturbance of blood circulation).
- Phlebeurysm.
- Overweight.
Only a doctor can determine the nature of edema. After a full diagnostic examination and identification of the cause of the pathology, the woman is prescribed treatment.
Swelling of the face in late pregnancy
Swelling of the face during pregnancy is a fairly common problem. First of all, the eyelids swell, and the face takes a rounded shape.
A special case is swelling of the nose. Among the causes of its occurrence can be noted the accumulation of fluid in the vessels, as well as problems with the respiratory tract. Swelling of the nose is usually accompanied by a runny nose, dryness, or itching.
A runny nose and swelling at 38 weeks of gestation are common enough that complement each other. In this case, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will pick up the medicine. After the baby is born, this problem is resolved by itself. Rhinitis for a pregnant woman is completely safe, but can affect the development of the fetus. With nasal congestion, the baby inside the womb is deficient in oxygen, which entails negative consequences.
Leg swelling in late pregnancy
The fluid retention process is carried out in the direction from the bottom up. That is why, in the first place, the legs of a pregnant woman are affected. The manifestation of this pathology is more noticeable in the evening. During the day, the accumulating liquid drops, concentrating in the limbs. At night, it is distributed throughout the body, so the swelling of the legs is not so noticeable. If after resting the symptoms disappear, there is no reason to worry.
When is a doctor consultation required? It is necessary to seek qualified help when even in the morning the swelling on the legs does not subside. The causes of the pathological condition are usually hidden in late gestosis.
At the initial stage, in addition to swelling in the legs, women complain of malaise, tiredness and poor health. An alarming symptom is an uneven or excessively large weight gain (more than 500 g per week). Blood pressure may also increase, protein in the urine, convulsions appear. If after a diagnostic examination the diagnosis of gestosis is confirmed, the woman will be hospitalized. The expectant mother and her baby require complex treatment and constant monitoring.
Swelling of the fingers during pregnancy
If your fingers begin to swell, it's time to sound the alarm. The first sign of a problem is the inability to remove the ring. In addition, numbness and tingling in the fingers are observed.
This problem should not be ignored. The higher the swelling rises throughout the body, the greater the danger to the child. Do not hesitate and postpone the visit to the doctor. The sooner you report a problem, the higher the likelihood of a successful cure.
Swelling of the fingers during pregnancy is usually due to the professional activities of women. Similar phenomena occur with repeated brush manipulations of the same type. It can be computer work, knitting or embroidery. Edema is often accompanied by characteristic pain in the wrist, which in medical practice is otherwise called tunnel syndrome. If you are engaged in such work, it is better to abandon it for a while and do special gymnastics for the hands.
What are hidden swelling?
An excessive weight gain of a woman (more than 300 g per week) may indicate this problem. Over the entire period of pregnancy, weight gain should not exceed 12 kg. Otherwise, the doctor prescribes control of the consumed fluid and excreted urine. Also especially informative is the McClure-Aldrich test. A woman is injected subcutaneously with sodium chloride. After a large blister forms at the injection site, which persists for an hour. With hidden edema, it does not appear at all or disappears very quickly. Based on the results of the examination, a woman is prescribed a course of treatment.
Medical examination
Each reception of a pregnant woman by a gynecologist is accompanied by a physical examination. This is especially true for the legs and face, because it allows you to diagnose pastiness in the early stages. Another mandatory step at the appointment with the gynecologist is weighing. This is the best way to determine excessive weight gain. Edema during pregnancy in the later stages are certain phenomena that are often caused by an increase in a woman's body weight.
Before each appointment, a future woman in labor must take urine tests. Using this test, the doctor can check the functioning of the kidneys and differentiate the physiological version of the swelling.
It is very difficult to establish why edema occurs during pregnancy in the later stages. To make a diagnosis, the gynecologist needs the results of additional body examinations (ultrasound of the kidneys, blood test, etc.). After that, a specialist can judge the presence of pathologies and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Edema in late pregnancy. What to do?
In order to prevent, as well as with physiological edema, doctors advise future mothers to adhere to fairly simple recommendations.
You should lead an active lifestyle, spend less time in a sitting position, as much as possible. Useful are sports and fitness, designed specifically for women in position.
To reduce swelling on the legs, the causes of which are often hidden in the accumulation of fluid in the lower extremities, you can make special baths. Water should not be hot. You can add a little essential oil to it. Such baths give a positive effect with regular repetition of the procedure.
Try to avoid overheating, less in stuffy rooms and in direct sunlight. Wear exceptionally high-quality and comfortable shoes, preferably without a heel.
Regarding the issue of nutrition, it is necessary to exclude salted, spicy, smoked and fried foods. All of them directly affect fluid retention in the body. You should also limit the consumption of sweets and pastries.
Excessive consumption of sodium chloride leads to fluid retention in the body, resulting in swelling during pregnancy. The reviews of many women who followed this recommendation really prove this statement. One has only to abandon the use of salt, as the swelling on their own begin to pass. But the amount of fluid should not be reduced. Up to two liters of the most common still water are recommended per day.
Drug treatment of edema
Therapeutic recommendations for combating swelling are most often limited to the above. Some women are advised to wear compression stockings and use special remedies for edema (gels, ointments). In the event of complications and preeclampsia of the second degree, drug treatment is indispensable. It is important to understand that gestosis poses a threat not only to the expectant mother, but also to her baby in the womb.
Typically, women with such a diagnosis are prescribed diuretics (Kanefron, Fitolizin). These funds normalize the work of the kidneys, have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. Multivitamin complexes are also indicated to improve uteroplacental blood flow. With the help of droppers, a deficiency of protein and fluid in a woman's body is restored. With high blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs are prescribed.
Help traditional medicine
In specialized sources you can find many recipes for traditional medicine. Before resorting to the help of one or another remedy for edema, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Many believe in the miraculous properties of lingonberries. This berry is rich in vitamins and really helps with puffiness. It should be understood that each organism is individual, therefore, prior to use, a doctor's consultation is required. Lingonberry increases the tone of the body. Without it, a constantly stressed uterus can get a double dose of this tone. This kind of negligence can lead to the threat of abortion.
Treatment with folk remedies involves the use of various tinctures on herbs. Usually the plants that have the greatest diuretic effect (bear ears, kidney tea, bearberry leaves, horsetail) are usually chosen. It is recommended to drink no more than one glass of any of the listed infusions per day. The treatment time is usually about a month.
As a rule, such recommendations are suitable for women with physiological edema. In the case of pathologies in the body, complex medical treatment cannot be dispensed with, and traditional medicine recipes can be used as a supplement.
Conclusion
Now you know why swelling during pregnancy should not be ignored, in which cases a doctor's consultation is required. Bearing a baby for all nine months is a fairly responsible period in the life of every woman. While the child is developing, his life and health are in your hands. If you follow the diet and rest, following the instructions of the doctor, motherhood brings only positive emotions.