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The legs and feet become swollen during pregnancy, due to the increase in the amount of fluids and blood in the body and due to the pressure of the uterus on the lymphatic vessels in the pelvic region. Normally, the legs and feet start to become more swollen after the 5th month, and may worsen at the end of the pregnancy.
However, after delivery, the legs may remain swollen, being more common if the delivery is performed by cesarean section.
Some tips that can relieve swelling in the legs are:
1. Drink plenty of water
Fluid intake helps to improve kidney function by facilitating the elimination of water through the urine and thus reducing fluid retention.
See which foods are richer in water.
2. Wear compression stockings
Compression stockings are a great option to reduce the feeling of heavy, tired and swollen legs, because they act by compressing blood vessels.
Find out how compression stockings work.
3. Take a walk
Taking a light walk in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is weak, helps to relieve swelling in the legs, because the microcirculation of the legs is activated. When walking, wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
4. Raise your legs
Whenever the pregnant woman is lying down, she should place her legs on a high pillow to facilitate the return of blood to the heart. With this measure, it is possible to feel immediate relief, and reduce swelling throughout the day.
5. Take a draining juice
Drinking passion fruit and mint juice or pineapple juice with lemon grass is a way to help eliminate fluid retention.
To prepare the passion fruit juice with mint, just beat in a blender the pulp of 1 passion fruit with 3 mint leaves and 1/2 glass of water, filter and take it right after. To prepare pineapple juice with lemongrass, mix 3 slices of pineapple with 1 leaf of chopped lemongrass in the blender, filter and drink.
6. Wash your legs with salt and orange leaves
Washing your legs with this mixture also helps to reduce swelling. To prepare, just place 20 orange leaves in 2 liters of water to boil, add cold water until the solution is warm, add half a cup of coarse salt and wash the legs with the mixture.
If, in addition to swollen legs and feet, the pregnant woman experiences severe headache, nausea and blurred or blurred vision, she should inform the obstetrician, as these symptoms may indicate high blood pressure, which can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. Another symptom that should also be reported to the doctor is the appearance of the sudden swelling of the hands or feet.
Because the legs swell after childbirth
Having swollen legs after childbirth is normal and this is due to the leakage of liquid from the blood vessels to the most superficial layer of the skin. This swelling lasts 7 to 10 days and can be eased if the woman walks more, drinks a lot of water or drinks some diuretic juice, for example.