Hello Hive
From the moment of conception women experience several unpleasant changes and even during pregnancy and these changes and experiences differ from one woman to another.
I have often seen my mums feet swell and some other parts of her body while she was pregnant with my younger ones and now looking at my older married sisters I felt that it was hereditary for women in my blood line to get swollen feet during pregnancy, I was equally confirming my argument after comparing some other women around the neighborhood for signs if swollen body during pregnancy, while some felt it barely slightly others experienced none of it.
A little study proved to me that I was wrong, swollen limbs during pregnancy is not hereditary, it could be a pointer to a more serious condition.
A physiologic edema
Aside normal swelling from accumulation of fluid a physiologic edema can occur.
The normal swelling occurs as a result of the uterus(womb) enlarging to contain the growing foetus, this causes water to accumulates in the limbs due to interference between the limbs and heart by the enlarged uterus.
More so during pregnancy there is an increase in aldosterone and cortisol hormones which can also cause these swellings.
This is not something to worry about except for the discomfort women feel but other conditions like this, such that there is a swelling coupled with other factors is a pointer to a more serious complication like a preeclampsia.
- Preeclampsia is an increase in blood pressure and protein level during pregnancy. These causes fluids to accumulate in hands feet and face and in turn causes excessive weight gain.
This elevated blood level and protein that can lead to organ damage and needs close monitoring during pregnancy.
Proper management by a medical personal is required to detect Preeclampsia and this management include close monitoring of the blood pressure and protein level of pregnant women.
Pregnant women with higher blood pressure are usually given hypertension drugs.
Pregnancy is a tender and fragile stage for most women and looking out for those who need help even without asking for it might just been a means of reducing maternal mortality.
What other side symptoms and discomfort have you felt during a pregnancy.
Though am not yet a mother or in that line I am learning alot from those around me and the knowledge is worth it.