Pregnancy Concerns: Swollen Feet

It is common to have edema or swollen feet during pregnancy. Edema is caused due to fluid retention in the body. It can be experienced in many organs of the body. Hands, feet, breasts etc can get swollen because of this fluid retention.

During pregnancy, the volume of blood in the body increases manifold. Due to this, water begins to get accumulated in the tissues. Water retention also occurs due to the increasing pressure that the uterus exerts on the organs and the veins that carry blood. When the veins get pressed due to the pressure from uterus, blood circulation in the lower extremities becomes slow, causing the both blood and water to get pooled in the legs and the feet.

Fortunately, the swelling is temporary and subsides rather quickly. While this problem can continue for some time during pregnancy, you won’t have swollen feet after you have given birth.