During pregnancy, women go through many physical changes. You might be waiting to just get done with it so you can get back to your normal lifestyle. Most think that once this phase is over, every thing will fall into place, but that’s not true – you may encounter problems even after childbirth, one of them being postpartum oedema.
Postpartum oedema is a condition that women go through right after pregnancy. This condition can cause swelling of the face, ankles, and belly. It can also spread to the hands and legs. The swelling can sometimes be painful, making the situation unpleasant.
There are a few reasons why postpartum oedema occurs in the pregnant women:
Progesterone is a hormone that is produced in a large quantity during pregnancy. This can cause the body to retain sodium and water, which leads to swelling .
IV fluids are used during labour to prevent dehydration. However, it can also lead to inflammation – this is likely to happen after a caesarian birth.
Hypoproteinemia is a condition characterised by lower-than-normal levels of protein in the body. When a person has a deficiency of red blood cells in her body, it’s called anemia. If a mother contracts any or both of these ailments after delivery, she may, in turn, suffer from postpartum oedema.
Medical conditions like chronic hypertension and pregnancy-induced hypertension as well as hypothyroid renal disorders can be a cause of postpartum swelling.
Some of the symptoms of postpartum oedema are:
After pregnancy, if you notice swelling in your arms, feet and other parts of the body, don’t panic as it will go away on its own. At most, it might take a couple of weeks. Swelling happens in most women because of fluids that remain in the body after childbirth.
Post-pregnancy oedema is common and usually does not need any special treatment. There are simple treatments which you can try at home which can reduce the swelling and pain. However, if the situation gets worse, you need to consult a doctor since it could be a sign of other health complications.
Some home remedies for swollen feet after pregnancy are listed below:
Give yourself a soothing massage as this improves blood flow and eventually soothes pain.
Doing exercise is a great way to get back your pre-pregnancy shape and also reduce swelling.
Water helps to flush out excess fluids from the body, thus reducing swelling. A lot of people think that if you drink water, there will be more fluids in the body. However, that is incorrect.
Fruits have anti-inflammatory properties, so eating a lot of them will help to increase metabolism and speed up healing.
Low protein in the body is a reason for swelling, and so it is beneficial to start adding high protein foods in your diet.
Avoid processed and fast foods as they have high levels of sodium which leads to the retention of fluids in the body.
Elevate your hands and feet regularly to improve blood circulation. This will eventually reduce the swelling in the body.
Body movement matters a lot when it comes to blood circulation. Sitting and standing in the right way and for the right amount of time helps to reduce swelling and better the blood flow.
Avoid exerting yourself when your body is swollen and if you are experiencing pain. Rest it out if things get too much.
Soaking your feet in warm water with sea salt or bath salts can help soothe the pain and reduce swelling.
Yoga is yet another stress and pain reliever. It helps in better circulation of the blood, leading to less swelling in the body.
Coffee and other caffeinated products can increase dehydration, prompting the body to retain more fluids . This will only delay your recovery from postpartum oedema. Instead, replace these beverages with herbal teas like dandelion tea to battle swelling and prevent fluid retention in the body.
This is a great way to soothe those aching muscles. Reflexology is calming and helps a lot with pain and swelling of the feet.
Placing cabbage leaves on the swollen areas helps to reduce pain and discomfort as it draws out extra fluids from the body.
When in pain from the swelling, allow your body to breathe by wearing loose and comfortable clothes.
Exercising is definitely a great relief for swollen feet after pregnancy, but heavy exercise can inadvertently lead to body ache that can make things worse.
The clothes you wear make a lot of difference. Wearing socks that do not have tight elastic but are supportive can help relieve postnatal oedema.
A relaxing bath in warm water along with soothing oils is helpful. Ask your doctor about the oils that are safe to use. Avoid those you feel might cause an allergic reaction.
Salt is nothing but sodium in a different form. Excessive intake of salt can lead to water retention and swelling in the body. Check the ingredients label for the amount of salt before buying processed foods like cakes, chips and soft drinks.
The sodium and potassium content in the body should always be balanced. Consuming more potassium-rich foods such as bananas, avocados, spinach, yoghurt and peanut butter will bring down the levels of sodium in the blood.
After a C-section delivery, there are increased chances of developing swellingin the legs. In such cases, you can use an ice compressor or take a shower in warm water to reduce the pain. Avoid bath lotions if your stitches haven’t fully healed.
Postpartum oedema is not a disease or sickness to be worried about. Usually, it goes down in a week’s time. Very rarely does the condition last for weeks. However, in the following cases, you may need to seek medical help:
If your oedema lasts for several weeks, it is best to consult a doctor. You can try out various methods to reduce the pain.
The pain may be excruciating and you may need some form of pain relief medication. But in your weakened state, it is not a good idea to start popping pills without consulting a doctor.
Breathing problems can be a sign of an impending congestive heart failure. You will need immediate medical attention if this is the case.
The swelling that happens after pregnancy is natural. However, there are some ways to prevent post-pregnancy swelling. Although these are helpful, they do not work for all women. Some preventive methods are:
If you are panicking about your feet never going back to their original shape, then you don’t need to worry. The swelling that happens after pregnancy is a natural process because of excess fluid in the body. Over time, your feet will get back to their natural form.
The journey of pregnancy and post-pregnancy is challenging. While you are already going through a lot, swelling and pain can make the transition more difficult. However, it is a common condition that many women undergo after pregnancy. Hence, stay calm and prepared. By following the steps mentioned above, the pain can be managed or even avoided.