Your questions about pregnancy ailments answered by Ruth Armes of Greatvine.com
What should I do about my swollen feet/ankles?
Swelling in pregnancy is caused by extra fluid in the body leaking into tissues. It is called oedema, and is generally a harmless side effect of pregnancy.
It is more common in hot weather or if you are overweight, and often increases as the pregnancy progresses toward term.
Here are some ways you can help yourself:
- Exercising improves circulation and helps to move fluids around. Try yoga postures and exercises that work the legs, feet and hands.
- Don’t cross your legs when seated, and rest with your legs raised when you can.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid excess salt, caffeine and alcohol.
- Reflexology and homeopathy can help. Make sure you consult a qualified practitioner with experience of treating pregnant women.
Occasionally the swelling may relate to a serious condition called pre-eclampsia. Other symptoms are high blood pressure, protein in your urine, headaches, abdominal pain, and visual disturbances. If you have a sudden increase in swelling, pains, or any of these symptoms, visit your doctor as soon as possible!
Ruth Armes
Ruth Armes is a qualified active birth and NCT teacher with over 15 years of experience and has supported over 2,000 pregnant women and their partners through the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy. Ruth’s specialities include pregnancy-related ailments, Yoga for pregnancy, and educating parents about their options for childbirth so that parents can make the right choice for them. For individual advice you can trust, book a private phone call with Ruth at www.greatvine.com/ruth_armes
Greatvine.com offers individual advice, by phone, direct from the country’s best parenting experts.
