Swollen ankles during pregnancy

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Pham Thi Yen - Obstetrician - Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
During pregnancy, a woman's body goes through a lot of changes, including swollen ankles. So why do pregnant women often have swollen ankles, what can pregnant women do if they have swollen ankles, let's find out through the article below.

1. Why do pregnant women often have swollen ankles?

There are many different factors that contribute to swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy. The first factor to consider is that during pregnancy, the body retains more fluid than usual. Next, the uterus grows larger (as the fetus grows), putting pressure on the veins, affecting the flow of blood through the veins back to the heart. At the same time, hormonal changes also play a certain role.

2. What can a woman do to limit ankle swelling during pregnancy?

Swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy are very common and usually go away on their own after delivery. During pregnancy, to reduce these phenomena, pregnant women can:

Reduce pressure on the legs: pregnant women should avoid standing for a long time. If possible, when sitting, prop your feet up, rotate your ankles often, and gently flex and stretch to stretch the twin muscles in your legs. Better yet, keep your legs elevated when lying down. Sleep on your left side: Sleeping on your left side helps avoid pressure on the inferior vena cava (a large vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the heart). The effect will be more achieved if the leg is slightly raised by placing a pillow underneath. Wear compression stockings: Your doctor may recommend that you wear supportive pants or compression stockings during the day. Be physically active every day: go for a walk, ride a stationary bike, or swim in the pool. Standing in place or walking underwater (in a pool): Although little research has been done on the use of water pressure in cases of foot and ankle swelling, standing still appears to be standing in place. Or walking in water puts pressure on the tissues in your legs and can reduce swelling temporarily during pregnancy. Wear loose-fitting clothing: Tight clothing can limit blood flow. Don't wear tights and socks that squeeze your ankles or calves. Some research suggests that foot massage and reflexology (essentially applying pressure to certain areas of the foot) can help reduce leg and ankle swelling during pregnancy. Pregnant women also note that there is no need to reduce water intake to avoid edema. The Institute of Medicine of the United States recommends that pregnant women drink about 2.4 liters of water per day.

Although mild swelling of the feet and ankles during pregnancy is normal, sudden swelling accompanied by pain (especially if it affects only one leg) could be a sign of bleeding. deep vein mass. To be sure, see your doctor.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively. Pregnant women will be consulted and checked for health under the close supervision of experienced and specialized obstetricians, helping mothers gain more knowledge to protect their health during pregnancy as well as minimize complications affecting mother and child.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Article referenced source: mayoclinic.org