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Lymphatic drainage for pregnant women aims to activate blood circulation and reduce swelling in the legs, feet and face, eliminating excess fluid through the urine, and should be performed by a physiotherapist or massage therapist.
Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy is contraindicated in the first 3 months of pregnancy and it is important that it is done by a suitable professional, as the belly, back and feet, which are the places where greater fluid retention can be observed, have spots stimulants that can cause premature birth.
It is important to emphasize that manual lymphatic drainage is a very light type of massage in which there is no application of force.
Benefits of lymphatic drainage in pregnancy
Manual lymphatic drainage for pregnant women is a very light type of massage that helps to reduce leg fatigue, ankle discomfort and swollen feet, contributing to a better quality of life for pregnant women. Postpartum drainage helps eliminate excess fluids from the mother's body and improve her defenses.
The benefits of lymphatic drainage in pregnancy include:
- Decreased swelling in the legs and feet;
- Improved blood circulation;
- Decreased risk of developing varicose veins;
- Improved nutrition of cells and tissues;
- Promotes good relaxation.
It is usually recommended to perform 1 session of lymphatic drainage per week throughout pregnancy and postpartum to help promote the feeling of well-being in women.
How to do lymphatic drainage in pregnancy
Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy can be done on the legs, arms and face, for that, you must apply moisturizing cream on the skin and then follow the following steps:
- Step 1 - Stimulate the main lymph nodes through the pumping maneuver for 5 to 7 times in a row, always at the beginning and at the end of the lymphatic drainage. This stimulation is necessary to empty the region so that it can receive the liquid that will be drained.
- Step 2 - Slide the regions to be drained with smooth and repeated movements, 5 to 7 times per area, always sliding your hands in the direction from bottom to top.
In the legs
The massage for lymphatic drainage in the legs helps to reduce swelling of the legs at the end of the day and should be done as follows:
- Slide your hands from the knee to the groin, repeating 7 times;
- Slide your hands from the ankle to the groin, repeating 7 times;
- Place your hands on the back of the knee and slide to the groin, repeating 5 to 10 times.
Also see how to avoid swollen ankles during pregnancy.
In arms
Lymphatic drainage in the arms is a great way to relieve the accumulation of fluids in the hands and arms and can be done by following the following steps:
- Slide your hand from the elbow to the armpit, repeating 7 times in front of and behind the arm;
- Slide your hand from the wrist to the armpit, repeating 7 times in front of and behind the arm.
In the face
The lymphatic drainage technique on the face helps to eliminate the small swelling that appears near the nose and under the eyes and can be done as follows:
- Slide your fingertips from the nose to the ears, repeating 8 times;
- Slide your fingertips from the outer corner of the eye to the hair root, repeating 5 times;
- Slide your fingertips from the inner corner of the eye to the hair root, repeating 7 times;
To improve the results of lymphatic drainage, it is recommended that the pregnant woman drink at least 2 liters of water a day, walk 30 minutes a day, wear comfortable clothes and give preference to fruits, lean meats and vegetables.
When not indicated
Although it can be performed during pregnancy, lymphatic drainage may be contraindicated in some situations such as high-risk pregnancies, renal failure, hypertension, thrombosis and diseases related to the lymphatic system.