Like with everything good, pregnancy comes at a cost - and for many moms-to-be, the cost is in the form of complications and side effects. And one of the most common of these "complications" is swelling of the feet or, what the experts refer to as, edema.
What causes swollen feet during pregnancy?
Swelling of the feet during pregnancy is almost inevitable for most women, and it occurs as a result of the accumulation of excess fluid in body tissue. The heart also has to work extra hard to keep the blood circulating properly, and so a lot of women end up retaining fluid in the extremities of the body.
When does swelling start during pregnancy
Swelling may start in the second trimester but is more common in the third. If you have sudden or severe swelling or other concerning symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
How to avoid getting Swollen Feet
In most cases, there is little you can do to prevent edema during pregnancy. However, there are some things that you can do to help
Try to:
- Keep moving - Avoid standing or being stationary for long time periods.
- Avoid Tight Clothes – avoid having anything tight on your feet or ankles
- Stay Hydrated - this helps your body get rid of excess water
- Eat Fruit - Some fruits such as Cucumber and asparagus, are natural diuretic that help flush excess water
- Elevate Feet - According to uptodate.com, "foot edema can be improved by elevating the legs above heart level for 30 minutes three or four times per day. "
- Lower Salt intake- Certain foods, especially highly processed, contain hidden sodium that may cause extra water retention
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Effective Natural Remedies for Swollen Feet
Below are effective, inexpensive, natural remedies that can help you manage feet swelling during pregnancy.
1. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is one of the best remedies for swollen feet whether you are pregnant or not. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate which will not only reduce swelling but can also help to improve circulation.
How to Make a Epsom Salt Foot Soak
The best thing is its absorbed through the skin easily and provides immediate relief! You can make a simple Epsom salt soak by adding half a cup of the salt to a foot tub with warm water. You should then soak your feet for about 20 minutes.
You can also buy pre-mixed foot soak such as Dr. Teal's Pure Epsom Salt. Just pour 2 cups under warm, running bath water and soak for 20 minutes.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has numerous health benefits, so it's always great to have it on hand anyway. This is even more so when you are pregnant, as it can help alleviate swelling. ACV has a high potassium content that can help reduce the fluid retention that's causing your feet to swell during pregnancy.
How to Make a Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak
Soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar is one of the best ways to get the maximum benefits from it. To prepare the foot soak, you should
- Find a clean bowl capable of holding at least 10 cups of liquid
- Add 1 cup of vinegar
- Add 2 cups of warm water
- Continuing adding vinegar and water until the bowl has enough water to cover feet and ankles
- Soak feet for 10-20 minutes
- Dry feet
3. Cabbage Leaves
Cabbage leaves are great for absorbing excess fluid from the body. They are also one of the cheapest remedies because you probably already have some cabbage in the house. When using this remedy, all you need to do is to take a few leaves and place them on the swollen areas before covering with a clean cotton cloth.
How to Make a Cabbage Leaf Wrap
The cabbage leaves will also be helpful in reducing the tenderness on the feet. Make sure that you change the cabbage leaves once they get wet, and repeat the method at least twice a day for the best results.
4. Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is a tasty herbal tea once you get used to the flavor. But, whether you like the taste or not, this herbal tea can be very useful in dealing with swelling during pregnancy. Because it is a natural diuretic, it can boost the drainage of any excess fluids in the body.
How to make fresh dandelion tea
Its simple to make dandelion tea will entail boiling the herb in water for a few minutes, then leaving it to steep for a while. Let steep and then drink the tea. Drinking it daily is a great idea when dealing with pregnancy swelling, but make a fresh cup every time and avoid refrigerating it.
Conclusion
Swollen feet are one of those things that almost every pregnant woman will have to deal with at some point. And while in most instances it does not pose any significant risk to mother or baby, it can still be quite uncomfortable.
The good news is that there are also many ways of dealing with the problem and the four above are just some of the most effective ones. Others include icing your feet, massaging them, and resting them in an elevated position.
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Author Bio:
Patrick Greer is a fitness trainer and a physical therapist who share tips and treatments for anyone suffering from a foot injury.