With pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of changes. This is to be expected, of course; after all, you are growing another human being within your womb. Some of these changes, which include swelling of the feet and ankles, can be uncomfortable and even painful for some women.
When the uncomfortable feeling sets in due t, it can be difficult to enjoy your time as an expectant mother. You might have expected to be glowing from the inside out with bright skin and silky hair, then you begin to develop inflammation around the ankles and don’t recognize them at all – the dreaded cankles.
If you find yourself experiencing prenatal inflammation like this, you will want to soothe it somehow, and this post has outlined three of the best ways to do just that.
Elevate Your Feet
Taking a moment to rest and raise your feet can do wonders for you. However, this can be difficult to accomplish when there are umpteen tasks to complete before the birth of your baby. When you find a time to sit down, though, you should attempt to elevate your legs above heart level. The best times to do this would be while watching TV or reading.
While this will lessen the swelling of your ankles, feet, and legs, it will also reduce the pressure that is put on your veins to push blood to your heart; simply put, it will improve circulation. It can also decrease the risk of edema, which is a side effect of swollen feet during pregnancy. If you notice the skin of your feet and/or legs is beginning to feel tight, you should aim to raise them for 15 to 20 minutes per day.
Get a Prenatal Massage
Many people get massages throughout their lives, so why should pregnant women be any different? In fact, prenatal massages are said to alleviate issues like swelling, poor circulation, and pain, while also improving the well-being of the expectant mother and her child. This is achieved by stimulating the lymphatic system to remove excess fluid from the body.
As excess fluid is removed, a prenatal drainage lymphatic massage, which is offered by Brazilian Lymph Spa, can reduce the swelling pregnant women experience. It will also improve the blood flow and allow fresh oxygen into blood cells, which can reach the baby. This will promote healthy growth and development inside the womb.
Sleep on Your Left Side
Finally, sleeping on your left side can relieve swelling during pregnancy, too. Although pregnant women do not need to completely avoid sleeping on their right side, sleeping on the left side can benefit their health greatly. This happens by allowing for optimal blood flow from a large vein, the inferior vena cava (IVC), that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.
The IVC runs parallel to the spine on the right side of the body, carrying blood to the heart and to the baby. By sleeping on your left side, you will remove any pressure from this vein as well as your liver and kidneys. Sleeping on your right-hand side or on your back while pregnant can put pressure on these parts of your body. Without additional pressure, your organs will be able to function correctly, which can help ease the swelling you experience in your lower legs.
If you do experience swelling in your lower limbs, these three tips can be used to make you more comfortable and ease inflammation during pregnancy. This is a time you should enjoy, so looking after yourself will, in turn, ensure your baby is cared for as it develops and grows in your womb.
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