Solutions To Coping With Swollen Ankles And Feet During Pregnancy

Tackling Swollen Ankles And Feet During Pregnancy

There is many exciting things to consider when you are pregnant.There are also, unfortunately, several aspects of pregnancy which we hope we do not develop, and if we do we endeavour to forget about as soon as possible.Puffy ankles and feet are not the image that most of us have when we first discover we are pregnant.We think of ourselves looking good and feeling optimistic. 

When To Be Concerned About Swollen Ankles And Feet

There is a condition, during pregnancy, known as pre-eclampsia.This occurs during the last trimester and symptoms are monitored and looked for at every checkup during the risk period.One of the marked symptoms is swollen ankles and feet, however, it is quite conceivable to have swollen ankles and feet without developing pre-eclampsia.If you have any fears you should immediately book an appointment with your doctor or midwife, but do not panic.

Getting by With Swollen Ankles And Feet

During pregnancy, the circulation system of the mother is unified with her unborn baby.This puts immense pressure on the whole of a woman’s body.This increases circulation and the added weight being carried can cause feet to become uncomfortable and to swell up.It's a good idea to go shoe shopping during the first trimester of pregnancy and to look for some wide, comfortable flat shoes.Try to find shoes which are a bit fun as you could be wearing them throughout the pregnancy and as you find other items of clothing becoming too small, or uncomfortable it is nice to be able to put on comfortable shoes which will make you feel better.  Remember that if you choose shoes with a strap that the strap needs to be adjustable and should not be too near the ankle as this may get uncomfortable during the later stages of pregnancy.

What To Do With Swollen Ankles And Feet

There is one important piece of advice – rest.If you touch your feet they might feel hot.  This is where the pain pads come into their own.It would be nice to believe that you could have a foot massage every time you sat and put your feet up, but that is unluckily not always possible.Equally rubbing your own feet during pregnancy gets really hard as your bump begins to get bigger.Heat and water massagers are not great for overheated feet – they just seem to make you feel more uncomfortable.  So the solution is these little pain pads which you pop in the fridge.They are great, you'll be able to either put your feet on top of them or cool your soles or you can place them under, or on top, of your ankles.This creates a lovely cooling effect which will quickly turn into a nightly ritual.Whenever you are in a hot climate, or planning to visit hot climes during pregnancy, then these are essential packing because they will help to keep you comfortable.They could also be used to relieve the itch of mosquito bites, which is useful as antihistamines are not recommended for pregnant or breast feeding women any more.