Causes of swollen feet during pregnancy and natural ways to reduce swelling at home

Causes of swollen feet during pregnancy and fluid retention

The causes of swollen feet during pregnancy come down to your body holding more water than usual, alongside the growing womb pressing on pelvic blood vessels. According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), this extra water gathers in the lowest parts of the body, especially the feet and ankles, and becomes more noticeable at the end of the day. This fluid retention is medically known as oedema, a common physiological change your body goes through to support your growing baby.

As your bump grows week by week, the weight of the womb presses on the large veins that return blood from your legs to your heart. According to the NHS, this pressure slows down blood circulation in your lower limbs, pushing fluid to pool inside the tissues of your feet and ankles.

You will often notice that your usual shoes feel tight in the evening while feeling comfortable in the morning. This happens because gravity pulls fluid downward throughout hours of standing or sitting, and your body redistributes it when you lie down to sleep at night.

• Natural fluid retention in your body to meet the increasing needs of pregnancy.
• Growing womb pressure on pelvic veins slowing blood return from the legs.
• Standing or sitting for long periods in one place without moving your ankles.
• Warm weather temperatures, as swelling becomes more noticeable in hot climates.

Source: NHS

When swollen feet start in pregnancy and how they change across months

Swelling usually appears gradually as pregnancy progresses and the baby gains weight, especially in the third trimester. According to the NHS, swelling typically worsens further into the pregnancy and increases at the end of the day or during hot weather.

If you notice swollen feet in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy, it is mostly mild and linked to long hours of standing at work or home. At this mid-stage of pregnancy, blood and fluid volume in your body begins to rise gradually, making your feet more sensitive to daily strain.

When looking at the causes of swollen feet in the seventh month, the weight of the womb begins to play the biggest role. As you enter the final stage, the causes in the eighth and ninth months are similar, as the baby reaches full size and mechanical pressure on pelvic veins increases daily.

Source: NHS

Is foot swelling in pregnancy normal or a sign of a health issue

Mild, gradual swelling in the feet and ankles is normal and very common, causing no harm to you or your baby. According to the NHS, normal swelling builds slowly and increases in the evening, whereas sudden swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia and requires urgent medical assessment.

Pre-eclampsia is a medical condition that occurs during the second half of pregnancy or after birth, characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. That is why your doctor checks your blood pressure and requests a urine test at routine visits to ensure your safety.

The following table helps you quickly tell the difference between typical swelling you can manage at home, and symptoms that mean foot swelling is dangerous and needs immediate checking.

Source: NHS

Treating swollen feet during pregnancy with natural home methods

Treating swollen feet during pregnancy in normal cases relies on simple daily habits that help veins return pooled fluid to circulation. According to the NHS, you can ease swelling by avoiding standing for long periods, resting with your feet up whenever possible, and drinking plenty of water.

You might think drinking less water reduces fluid retention, but the exact opposite is true. According to the NHS, drinking plenty of water helps your body get rid of excess retained water and flush it out more effectively.

Whether you are looking for relief for swollen feet in the eighth month or any other month, applying these daily steps gives your legs noticeable relief at the end of the day.

• Prop your feet up on comfortable pillows when sitting so they are as close to heart level as possible.
• Avoid standing continuously for long periods, and if you must stand, shift your weight between feet and move your ankles.
• Choose comfortable, wide shoes with a low sole, and avoid tight shoes or straps that press on the top of your foot.
• Drink water regularly throughout the day to help your kidneys and body flush out retained fluids.
• Sleep on your side at night, as this position relieves womb pressure on the main veins in your abdomen and pelvis.

Source: NHS

Does walking relieve swollen feet in pregnancy and suitable exercises

Yes, regular gentle walking and simple foot exercises help activate calf muscles and ease swelling. According to the NHS, trying to walk regularly during the day and doing foot exercises improves blood circulation and reduces ankle swelling.

On the other hand, some mothers wonder: does walking cause swollen feet in pregnancy? Moderate walking does not cause swelling but treats it; however, exhausting walks for long hours without rest or in hot weather with tight shoes causes fluid pooling due to strain and gravity. The key is moderate movement followed by resting with your feet up.

According to the NHS, you can practice foot exercises while sitting or standing to stimulate blood flow and reduce leg cramps, following these specific steps:

• Bend and stretch your foot briskly up and down 30 times in a row.
• Rotate each foot in a circle 8 times in one direction, then 8 times in the other direction.
• Repeat these movements on the other foot whenever you sit for a long period at work or home.

Source: NHS

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