Pregnancy

Water retention in pregnancy: what is important to know

Water retention is a common disorder in pregnancy, caused by the stagnation of liquids within the tissues. Here’s why it appears and what to do about it.

Water retention  is  a typical pregnancy disorder , which affects about 25% of expectant mothers.

This condition is caused by the stagnation of fluids , which gradually accumulate inside the body tissues and cause swelling (or more precisely edema ), heaviness and sometimes the onset of varicose veins .

The areas most affected are the legs , ankles and feet , but retention can also affect other areas of the body, such as the hands.

Water retention in pregnancy: when does it appear and how long does it last?

The effects of water retention usually begin to appear between the 22nd and 27th week .

Symptoms may be more evident in women who are expecting twins or have excess amniotic fluid , and tend to worsen in the evening hours and in the heat of summer .

Edemas usually disappear  after the baby is born . In some cases, however, the swelling may take up to 15-20 days after delivery to completely resolve .

Water retention in pregnancy: what are the causes?

During pregnancy, the entire body undergoes major changes, which also involve blood circulation .

First, the blood volume increases significantly to meet the needs of the growing child, and this causes a greater presence of liquids within the tissues.

Furthermore, the progressive expansion of the uterus compresses the pelvic veins and the inferior vena cava (through which blood returns from the lower half of the body to the heart), making venous return from the lower limbs more difficult and  favoring stagnation of body fluids .

Finally, progesterone also plays an important role , which relaxes the vessel walls and makes them more permeable, with the effect of further slowing venous return and facilitating the leakage of liquids into the tissues .

Water retention in pregnancy: how many kg?

During pregnancy, water retention alone causes weight gain of between 0.9 and 1.4 kg . The increase in blood volume, on the other hand, is responsible for a weight gain of 1.4 and 1.8 kg.

Water retention in pregnancy: how to fight it?

Changing any bad habits is the first step to counteracting water retention and the feeling of heaviness. 

  • Get regular physical activity

A half-hour brisk walk or a moderate-pace swim is ideal for stimulating circulation and preventing swelling. Exercise in the water , in particular, is of great help in combating water retention: find out about the courses for pregnant women offered by the swimming pools in your area.

  • Avoid spending too much time standing or sitting

If you have a sedentary job, change position often and get up every now and then for a short walk , in order to reactivate the circulation.

  • Raise your legs

With this trick you will facilitate venous return , reducing swelling. Help yourself with a pillow when you lie down and with a footrest when you’re sitting. Instead, avoid keeping your legs or ankles crossed , so as not to further slow down blood circulation.

  • Wear comfortable clothing

Clothing that is too tight and heels that are too high or completely flat can make edema worse.

  • Use elastic stockings

In addition to facilitating venous return, they will give you a pleasant feeling of well-being in your legs. For maximum benefit, wear them before getting out of bed in the morning.

  • Follow proper nutrition

A diet low in salt (ie sodium) helps prevent swelling, while the consumption of blueberries and foods rich in Vitamin C strengthens the venous walls and facilitates blood circulation. Also remember that a healthy and balanced diet will help you avoid excessive weight gain , which in turn can make bloating worse.

  • Drink lots of fluids

Adequate hydration is essential to combat water retention , because it helps eliminate excess sodium and waste, reducing the accumulation of body fluids. During pregnancy, the advice is to drink at least two liters of water a day , equal to about ten glasses, preferably  hyposodic  (ie low in sodium).

  • Sleep on your left side

This position will reduce the pressure of the uterus on the inferior vena cava and help improve blood circulation in the legs.

  • Apply refreshing and decongestant creams

Used regularly, they will help reduce the feeling of heaviness. To be on the safe side, however, consult your doctor or midwife before buying, to verify that they are compatible with your pregnancy.

Water retention in pregnancy: when to worry?

Moderate swelling , which appears gradually and improves during the night , is absolutely normal and has no effect on the progress of the pregnancy, however annoying.

On the other hand, when the edema is significant , occurs suddenly or lasts until the next day , it could be the sign of a pregnancy complication called preeclampsia . This disease is associated with an excessive rise in blood pressure and, if neglected, can have important consequences on the health of the expectant mother and the baby.

For this reason, do not hesitate to contact your gynecologist immediately in the presence of the following signs or symptoms:

  • excessive or sudden edema
  • swelling affecting the area around the eyes , face or neck
  • intense and prolonged headache (that does not resolve with the intake of acetaminophen)
  • visual disturbances , nausea or vomiting

More rarely, edema could signal the presence of a deep vein thrombosis , caused by the formation of a blood clot . This condition is characterized by significant swelling , which particularly affects one of the two legs (often the left) and which can be accompanied by:

  • feeling of heaviness or pain that gets worse on standing up
  • changes in the skin of the leg, which is red or warm

Also in this case, it is essential to contact your doctor immediately , to prevent the onset of risky complications.

Dr Kathryn Barlow

Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.

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