My feet and hands have started to swell, and I'm noticing a lot of water retention since I became pregnant. Why does this happen during pregnancy, and what can I do to reduce it?
It's mostly due to the extra blood and fluids your body produces to support the baby. My feet used to look like balloons in the third trimester. Keeping them elevated and drinking lots of water actually helped flush out the retention.
Hormones make your body hold onto sodium and water. I had to be very careful with my diet and found that reducing processed salty snacks and eating more potassium-rich foods like bananas really helped. Keep drinking water!
Haha, your body is basically acting like a sponge right now! It's just holding onto water because of those crazy pregnancy hormones. Put your feet up, make your husband do a gentle massage, and enjoy being pampered!
Water retention is normal, but please keep an eye on it. If you notice sudden, extreme swelling in your face or hands along with headaches, contact your doctor immediately. It can sometimes indicate high blood pressure, so it's best to be safe.
Don't worry, it is a very common thing during these months. Just try to limit salty foods and rest with your feet elevated on a pillow. It will go away soon after delivery.
Your body is doing so much beautiful work and storing extra fluid is just its way of preparing your pelvic tissues for delivery. Try to avoid standing for too long. We are with you, take gentle care of yourself.
