Swollen Legs in Pregnancy
Why Do the Legs and Feet Swell During Pregnancy?During pregnancy your body itself moves to collect more water than it would at other times, and changes in your blood chemistry help this. Also, the growth of your uterus puts pressure on veins in your pelvis which means that the return of blood to your heart will be slowed slightly. This slowing will in turn create slight pressure in your veins and cause some fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues of your legs and feet and causing swelling.
Is Swelling of the Legs and Feet Harmful to Me or My Baby?Swelling of the legs and feet, and sometimes even the arms and hands, is common in pregnancy so do not be alarmed if you experience this. However, there are some signs of swelling that you should take seriously. Call your GP or midwife for further information and assistance if you notice:
- Swelling in your face or around your eyes.
- Excessive swelling of your hands (more than just a tightness of your rings).
- Excessive and/or sudden swelling of your legs and feet (comes on within hours).
- Swelling more in one leg than the other (a noticeable difference in the two).
- Pain in your extremities (particularly calves or thighs).
Are Swollen Legs and Feet Painful?
Most women who have experienced swollen legs and feet during pregnancy will agree that though they are uncomfortable, they are not actually in pain. Thankfully there are some steps you can take to relieving swollen legs and feet.
- Rest on your left side in bed or on the couch
- Sit with your feet and legs up whenever you can.
- Drink plenty of water and urinate as often as possible.
- Stretch your legs and feet whenever possible.
- Do not stand for long lengths of time without a break.
- Exercise (including walking and swimming) and eat a healthy diet.
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pregnant and still have periods?
Once your body starts producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - the pregnancy hormone - and pregnancy is established, your
menstrual cycle is interrupted and normal periods will stop.
However, many women do experience
bleeding during early pregnancy that may look very much like a normal period. This sort of bleeding is known as "breakthrough" bleeding and is caused by the hormones that control your normal menstrual cycle breaking through.
Bleeding is also thought to occur when the fertilised egg implants into the lining of the uterus (womb). This usually happens at about the time your period would have been due. There is some research that suggests that bleeding around this time is more likely to be due to breakthrough bleeding than implantation bleeding. Either way, bleeding at this time can make establishing your due date difficult, since doctors often use the first day of your last period to determine your due date. If that's in any doubt, measuring how big your uterus is may help them determine how far along you are. And if that's inconclusive, a dating scan can measure the size of your baby and clarify exactly when he is due.
Many women who have
vaginal spotting in early pregnancy go on to have their baby without any complications, but bleeding can also be a cause for concern. It may be the first sign of a
miscarriage; if so, your symptoms would probably go on to include heavy cramping and bleeding that is much heavier than a normal period.
If you have sharp pains in your lower abdomen, especially if the pain is only on one side, you should see your doctor straightaway as you could have an
ectopic pregnancy. Because of these potential complications, if you bleed at all in early pregnancy, it's best to notify your doctor. She may suggest getting a blood test to check your hormone levels or refer you for an early ultrasound to evaluate your condition more thoroughly.
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