Swelling of the legs during pregnancy: causes, and what to do

Edema of the legs during pregnancy is encountered by expectant mothers quite often. For some, the problem appears already in the third trimester, while for others it is somewhat earlier. Swelling of the legs during pregnancy reduces the quality of life: it’s hard to walk for a long time, discomfort may appear even during rest, you can’t wear your favorite shoes. This condition can signal malfunctioning of organs and the presence of diseases. This can affect the health of the mother, and, accordingly, during pregnancy. You should immediately begin to solve the problem.

Swelling of the legs in pregnant women is a natural physiological condition. It is provoked by hormonal changes in the body of the future mother. These changes lead to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues, which are especially observed in the lower extremities.

Edema does not necessarily occur on both legs, but can only be on one. This means that only the pelvic vein is compressed on one side only. Continue reading →