Two weeks ago, your belly was probably about the size of a soccer ball — and by 27 weeks pregnant, your uterus may have swelled to the size of a basketball. Unfortunately, that's not the only thing that's swelling.
Nearly 3 in 4 pregnant women experience mild swelling of the extremities — particularly the feet, ankles, and hands — and it may kick into even higher gear around now.
Called edema, it occurs when fluids build up in your body tissues thanks (or no thanks) to increased blood flow and uterine pressure on the inferior vena cava, the large vein on the right side of your body that returns blood from your lower limbs to the heart.
While the puff factor is completely normal and temporary, now might be a good time to take off your rings and kick off those too-tight shoes.
And if it seems to be excessive, talk to your practitioner, since it can be one sign of preeclampsia. Though when it is, it's accompanied by a variety of other symptoms, like elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine. If you aren’t experiencing those symptoms, you have nothing to worry about.
To spell swell relief, avoid sitting or standing for a long time, try some pregnancy-appropriate exercise like walking or swimming (if your practitioner okays it), and sit or sleep with your feet elevated. Hey, if anyone deserves to put those sore feet up, it's you!
Be sure, too, to drink enough each day; restricting fluid intake will not decrease swelling, but staying hydrated may. And try to look on the bright side: Edema is a temporary condition — you'll deflate soon after you give birth.
The Mutlu Anne app is with you every step of the way on your pregnancy journey.
Thanks for reading.
