How To Reduce Swelling In Pregnancy

Pregnancy is easily one of the most beautiful experiences that I’ve been blessed to have. 

However, pregnancy has some not so fun symptoms that can make the experience a lot less pleasant.

One of these uncomfortable (& unflattering) symptoms is swelling. 

While it’s normal to have SOME swelling during pregnancy, (thanks to the extra fluid and blood circulating in your body), too much swelling can be dangerous. 

*Abnormal swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia so be sure to check in with your healthcare provider as soon as you notice signs of swelling*

Luckily, there are a couple of things that you can do to reduce the amount of swelling that you experience.

Hydrate

First things first, being properly hydrated is soo important during pregnancy!

While 8 cups a day is fine if you aren’t pregnant, you definitely want to increase your intake while you’re expecting.

In addition to preventing dehydration and flushing your system, being properly hyrdated can greatly reduce swelling during pregnancy. 

Go Easy On The Salt

I’ll be the first to admit that I LOVE salty foods! 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for sweets too, but I’m usually a fan of anything salty.

That said, it’s crucial that I cut back on the salt while I’m pregnant – especially in the third trimester.

While you do need SOME salt in your diet to regulate the excess of fluids in your body, too much salt can be dangerous.

In addition to more serious issues like high blood pressure, salt can significantly increase the swelling that you experience during pregnancy.

Elevate Your Feet

Pregnancy is the perfect time to kick your feet up – literally!

Elevating your feet, especially after standing for long periods of time can help with circulation, thus reducing the amount of swelling in your feet and ankles.

Reduce Caffine Intake

As many of you know, I’m one of the few non-coffee drinking mamas out there, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t get my caffeine fix elsewhere. 

`ahem chocolate`

That said, while expecting mama’s don’t have to cut caffeine out completely, it’s important that we cut back significantly on our intake.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends no more that 200mg per day.

Compression socks

While they may not be the most stylish accessory, compression socks work wonders for swelling.

Compression socks can improve blood circulation which in turn helps reduce swelling.

As a bonus, compression socks can also help prevent cramps and varicose veins.

Check them our for yourself here.

GET ACTIVE

One of the best ways to reduce swelling during pregnancy is to get active. 

Sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time can cause you to swell more since circulation tends to slow down during pregnancy.

So be sure to incorporate some type of activity into your daily routine!

By incorporating these simple tips into my daily routine, I’ve noticed significantly less swelling than I had during my first pregnancy.

That said, this doesn’t mean that I don’t experience any swelling at all, but it has been a lot more manageable. 

What tips and tricks do you use to reduce swelling during pregnancy?

Leave them in the comments below!