How To Control Swelling During Pregnancy Video

Swelling in the hands and feet during pregnancy is very common and often caused by water retention. Learn how to control pregnancy swelling in this pregnancy video.

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Reduce swelling
Avoid standing & sitting too long
Exercise
Monitor salt intake

About this Author

Bea is a Registered Midwife who moved here from England, where she completed her midwifery training in both hospital and home settings. Bea owns the Labor of Love Birth Center in Tampa, Florida, which offers women a unique birthing experience in a home-like, comfortable environment and has a large Jacuzzi tub for those wishing to enjoy a water birth experience.

BEA ROWELL: Hi, my name is Bea. I'm a midwife working here at Labor of Love Birth Center in the Tampa area. We specialize in looking after women with low-risk pregnancies, who are looking for natural birthing choices. I'm here today to talk to you about controlling swelling and pregnancy. The reason why you're going to be swelling in pregnancy is you have an increased plasma volume and blood volume running around your body, and this in turn if you have poor circulation leads to swelling. Ways to prevent swelling are avoid standing for too long, avoid sitting for too long, so you could keep your good circulation running around. Some form of motor exercise is very good each day. Try swimming. Swimming is good. It works against gravity, and the water allows your circulation to run around your body really well. In hot weather, you need to think about your salt intake. What happens in the heat is you're going to sweat and you're going to lose the salt balances in your system so try adding more salt to your diet. Okay. Swelling is not a serious part of your pregnancy as long as it's not excessive. You may find towards the end of the evening that your ankles and feet are swollen but as long you sit down, raise your ankles and feet up higher then the swelling is going to dissipate and that's a good sign. Okay, so enjoy your pregnancy and try not to swell up too much in the heat.

How to Control Swelling During Pregnancy Video

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