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| |    Why Pregnancy Causes Swollen Feet by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. Swelling of the feet and lower legs is common towards the end of pregnancy. Even if your feet don't look any different, you may still have a feeling of puffiness and your shoes may feel tight. Hot weather can exaggerate the problem. In rare cases, swelling can be severe, making walking difficult. The good news is that swelling tends to resolve after childbirth. Why does being pregnant cause your feet to swell? During pregnancy, there is a normal increase in overall blood volume. For a variety of reasons, this increased fluid can escape out of the blood vessels and into the tissues. The resultant swelling is most commonly seen in the feet, but can sometimes extend up the legs or involve the hands as well. Warning signs: Swelling that accumulates rapidly, extends to the face, or is accompanied by severe headache or high blood pressure can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that needs prompt medical attention. What can be done to improve the swelling? Lying on your side, or elevating your feet when sitting sometimes helps decrease the swelling. The best treatment is swimming or any sort of total body immersion in cool water. The water pressure on the skin forces the tissue fluid back in to the veins. In addition, although salt is necessary in pregnancy, avoiding very salty or spicy foods may help a bit. Water pills should not be used as a treatment for swelling during pregnancy. Swelling improves after delivery Once the baby is born, the fluid that has leaked into the tissues returns to the veins and is cleared from the body through the kidneys. If you had a cesarean, or a lot of intravenous fluids during labor, it may take a few weeks for the fluid to be cleared and the swelling to improve. Keep in mind that if you had a lot of swelling, you can expect a lot of urine output!
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