Why do my legs swell a lot after childbirth? How to remove swelling after childbirth. Useful exercises for legs

When a woman is in interesting position, slight swelling of the extremities is considered quite normal. They are usually associated with the natural accumulation of fluid in the body expectant mother necessary for the full development of the future human being. But why do swelling of the legs appear after childbirth, because after restructuring, the body must remove unnecessary water?

Identify and eliminate

Causes similar phenomena may be hidden in the occurrence of health problems. Often, swelling appears due to exacerbation of old chronic diseases or the emergence of new ailments caused by physiological changes that occurred during pregnancy.

Many young women are frightened and alarmed by the appearance of swelling of the legs after childbirth; they do not know what to do. These concerns are not unfounded. Most often, after the birth of a child, the kidneys and veins of a young mother suffer, since they are the most difficult to recover from global changes occurring in the body. In any case, in order to establish the exact cause and get rid of such phenomena, you need to consult a doctor. After examination and appointment necessary research Your doctor will be able to recommend appropriate treatment for leg swelling after childbirth.

Reason one: kidney problems

Pregnancy is very difficult period for the kidneys. It is quite difficult for them to quickly return to normal after the end of pregnancy. Therefore, for some time they will slowly remove the liquid. The situation may worsen chronic diseases genitourinary system available to the mother. To prevent the occurrence serious pathologies, the woman needs to see a doctor and undergo a series of tests.

If swelling of the legs after childbirth is accompanied by noticeable pain in the lower abdomen, which, by the way, is very often confused with general postpartum pain, then most likely there is an exacerbation of cystitis. Inflammation Bladder may have extreme unpleasant consequences, so you shouldn’t delay visiting a urologist either. A few simple ones, but very important analyzes will help determine or exclude the cause of swelling.

Phlebeurysm

Circulatory disorders in the extremities, caused by the pressure of the fetus during pregnancy on the pelvic vessels, predispose to the appearance of various pathologies. Inelastic walls of blood vessels or weak vein valves provoke the development of varicose veins after childbirth. Swelling of the legs, heaviness or burning may become a fundamental symptom.

Postpartum gestosis

Preeclampsia is a severe pathology during pregnancy. Usually its manifestation is observed at the end of the second - beginning of the third trimester. It is practically not amenable to drug treatment and most often goes away after delivery. Mild forms of this pathology have no consequences and completely disappear on the second day after birth.

More severe forms gestosis can persist after childbirth. The main symptoms here will be: increased arterial pressure, detection in the samples taken large quantity protein, rapid weight gain associated with the appearance severe swelling legs After childbirth, such phenomena should stabilize, however, if the disease has seriously affected the mother’s organs, this does not happen. Treatment in this case takes place under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Other reasons

Often the common cause of this pathology is poor nutrition. Abuse of fried, spicy and salty foods, drinking large amounts of tea or coffee in combination with bad habits can cause swelling of the limbs.

Swelling of the legs does not go away for a long time when, after giving birth, the mother immediately returns to work in the office. Lack of physical activity and prolonged sitting at the computer is clearly not what the body needs during this period. And the appearance of additional loads in the form of still unusual worries significantly “embellishes” the picture. Sometimes a young mother can only rest at night, and even then only for a few hours.

It may take up to four weeks for the body to return lymph flow and blood circulation to normal.

Risks of self-treatment

Very often, when swelling of the legs appears after childbirth, women self-prescribe diuretic medications. This is fundamentally wrong. You should be very careful with such medications, since most diuretic tablets remove potassium from the body, which negatively affects the functioning of the heart and the condition of blood vessels. After inadequate diuretic therapy, not only does the risk of developing cordially- vascular diseases, but there remains a possibility of increased swelling after discontinuation of the drugs. In addition, diuretics will be absolutely ineffective in the formation of venous pathologies.

Alternative medicine

Diuretics are less dangerous for the body, but even their use must be agreed with a doctor. When using medicinal herbs in situations where the legs and ankles swell after childbirth, there is always a risk of allergic reactions. Such techniques are also undesirable during breastfeeding. Since all the products that mother will consume, through breast milk The child will also receive it, and the baby also has a chance to develop an allergy.

In addition, to brew correctly medicinal herb, sometimes you have to tinker a lot, and this is not always useful for a young mother.

Gymnastics for legs: how to relieve swelling

Are your legs swelling for unknown reasons? In this case, special gymnastics can help, which doctors often recommend to their patients. These exercises will be much more effective if you do them standing:

• Stand straight on the floor and alternately lift one leg and then the other, holding in this position for several seconds.
• Walk barefoot on tiptoes, do a few jumps on your toes.
• Roll your body weight from one leg to the other.
• Roll your weight from your heels to your toes and from your toes to your heels.

The following exercises are performed in a sitting position:

• With bare feet, alternate rotational movements clockwise and then counterclockwise.
• Raise your toes as high as possible, and then also bend them down as much as possible.
• Try to “spread” your toes as much as possible and then close them.
• Roll your feet from heels to toes and then back.
• Try to lift any small object from the floor with your feet.

If swelling appears on the limbs, then there is no need to postpone a visit to the doctor - it is necessary to begin treatment immediately. Such phenomena do not go away on their own, but only worsen over time. Depending on the the real reason If unwanted symptoms occur, the doctor prescribes treatment. So, after the birth of a child, your legs swell. This summary table will tell you how to relieve swelling so as not to harm the body and at the same time get rid of the disease quickly.

Swelling of the limbs can be caused by disturbances in sleep and rest patterns: in the endless household chores and worries about the baby, a young mother forgets that she also needs to rest.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of swelling, you need to regularly rest your feet and exercise preventive actions. For this, doctors recommend:

• Every two to three hours, lie down with your feet on a raised surface (a pillow or a rolled-up blanket). It is not recommended to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Make a special therapeutic exercises.
• Foot baths and contrast treatments followed by rubbing the limbs with a hard towel - excellent remedy not only to strengthen muscles and vessel walls, but also in the fight against cellulite.
• Adhere to a proper, balanced, regular diet and, if possible, limit the consumption of tea or coffee. In the fight against swelling of the extremities, eating tomatoes, viburnum, cranberries, sea buckthorn, and lemon will help (provided you are not allergic to these products).
• Get rid of bad habits(If there are any).
• If you have symptoms of swelling, consult a specialist.

Listen to your body's signals, because often even slight persistent swelling of the legs in the evenings can indicate the occurrence of serious diseases.

Many people experience edema during pregnancy, but in some cases they appear precisely at the birth of the child. If swelling of the legs appears after childbirth - what to do? This question may arise for women after natural birth, and during caesarean section. Sometimes it may be required drug treatment swelling, but most often they go away on their own.

Causes of edema

The most common among them are:

• problems with kidney function;
• diseases of cardio-vascular system;
• vascular pathologies;
• poor nutrition.

The last reason in relation to the maternity hospital and the appearance of edema is not very suitable, in to a greater extent Salty and spicy foods can be blamed for the current situation in the case when more than a week has passed since the birth, and the swelling does not decrease. They can appear not only directly in the feet or calves, but also on other parts of the body. If a woman enters maternity ward with general swelling, then it also takes time to normalize the condition after childbirth, so you shouldn’t worry too much about the fact that the ring is still small, and the bags under the eyes in the mirror are scary. This is due to the fact that sodium salts, which interfere with normal fluid circulation, do not disappear during childbirth. Additionally, the process of blood circulation and fluid outflow is slowed down by the growing uterus, which compresses other organs. Therefore, the stress that a woman’s body experiences before and during childbirth does not go away without leaving a trace; it takes more than one day for swelling to go away. In a number of situations, you should be especially careful about your health when there is a suspicion that the cause of edema is poor kidney function. Additional signs indicating that it is the kidneys that are to blame for swollen legs after childbirth, what to do in in this case It is best to find out from doctors - this is a rapid increase in swelling, as well as dry and pale skin. Puffiness in this case may also appear on the face. If a young mother has problems with her veins, then varicose veins can also contribute to a deterioration in the outflow of fluid. Most often, there is no doubt about the presence of such a disease, since spider veins, large veins stand out among the rest, in severe cases Varicose veins are visible. The treatment regimen here should be discussed with a phlebologist, since most medications in this situation are contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Signs of swelling

Swelling on the face and hands after childbirth, which not everyone knows what to do with, is difficult not to notice: bags under the eyes, fingers bend with difficulty, not only they, but also the hands themselves swell. When you press on such edematous tissue, a mark in the form of a dent remains on it, which disappears only after some time, and not immediately, as happens in the absence of edema. Swelling of the legs is especially noticeable in the morning, when trying to get out of bed, when the legs seem to “not obey”, the soles and calves seem to be “filled” with water. An attempt to put compressive shoes on such a foot may not be successful: the shoes will be simply too small. If you wear shoes that are not too loose, after taking them off, marks from contact with their edges will remain on your feet.

What you should know

You should start by consulting a doctor, since if the cause of edema is kidney disease, then the lack of therapy can lead to adverse consequences for the woman who gave birth. In other situations, it is advisable to control the amount of fluid consumed, which is necessary not only in the presence of edema, but also to establish healthy lactation, hyperstimulation of which with excessive fluid volume can lead to chest congestion. Important role The young mother’s nutrition itself plays a role. The less fatty, salty, spicy or canned foods there are, the less thirst there is. In addition, excess salt retains fluid in the tissues, stimulating additional swelling. Instead of tea, decoction is allowed lingonberry leaf, but from medical supplies, whose task is to derive excess liquid, you should refuse without a doctor’s prescription if the child is breastfed.

What other means exist to combat edema?

It won’t hurt to be attentive to your legs if swelling after childbirth, what to do with it depends on the cause of its appearance, appears due to venous disease. In this case, contrast baths, baths with sea salt, and herbal decoctions that normalize blood circulation are recommended. A number of young mothers note an improvement in their condition after massaging their feet with ice cubes or simply any contents of the freezer. A good rest is extremely welcome, but it is not always possible to organize one with a small child in the house. Therefore, all that remains is to make good use of the rest time that is available: it is advisable to sleep with your feet on a pillow, and let them rest at least several times a day. This can be done lying down, raising your legs above heart level for a quarter of an hour. All these simple procedures will help facilitate the outflow of excess fluid, which ideally should leave the body before the mother and baby are discharged from the maternity hospital, i.e. within a week after birth. If the condition does not improve, it is best to find out why your legs are swollen after childbirth, what to do in this situation, directly with your doctor, who can ask all your questions before leaving the hospital, and then follow his recommendations, not forgetting about your health lifestyle.

May appear when various diseases. For successful treatment This condition is extremely important to find out the cause of its occurrence. Visible swelling lower limbs and a noticeable increase in their circumference is often accompanied by other clinical signs. Swelling can be unilateral or bilateral, have different localization and severity. Now let's try to figure out why the legs swell, on what basis additional symptoms establish a diagnosis and whether there is effective ways combat this manifestation.

Classification of edema

Depending on the cause that caused the uncomfortable swelling of the lower extremities, the following types are distinguished:

• Neuropathic - such edema accompanies the course of diabetes mellitus and alcoholism.
• Cachectic - indicate exhaustion of the body or diseases of the cardiovascular system.
• Mechanical - develop due to injury, increased load on the legs.
• Hydraemic - swelling in the legs is caused by diseases of the excretory system and the accumulation of excess fluid in the body.
• Congestive - swelling is formed as a result of increased vascular permeability and increased capillary pressure.
• Allergic - occur as a reaction of the body to an irritant (insect bite, chemicals, contact with an allergenic plant, etc.).

This disorder can occur on one of the limbs, or on both at the same time; swelling of the leg occurs in the ankle, foot, lower leg, and thigh.

What causes swelling of the limbs

Drug therapy, procedures, baths will not bring any results if the cause of edema is not identified. Feet can swell in both men and women. More often this symptom occurs when:

• kidney pathologies;
• endocrine system disorders;
• chronic cardiovascular failure;
• thrombosis, varicose veins and inflammation of the veins;
• stagnation lymph fluid in the limbs;
• diabetes mellitus;
• cirrhosis.

Sometimes the cause of leg swelling in women is pregnancy - the kidneys have difficulty coping with the increased load. In this case, the patient should reconsider her drinking regime, limit fluid intake. After childbirth, swelling of the lower extremities goes away without drug intervention.

Often, swelling of the leg in the ankle is caused by relatively harmless reasons:

• excessive salt consumption, which interferes with the normal removal of fluid from the body;
• walking, fatigue due long stay in a standing position;
• drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially before bed;
• uncomfortable, tight shoes, uncomfortable heel height.

It can be difficult to immediately determine why fluid accumulates and stagnates in the tissues of the lower extremities. To reveal the real reason swelling of the legs, you will have to undergo tests, undergo an ultrasound or resort to the use of other diagnostic methods.

Most often, the problem disappears on its own as soon as the patient rests. It is much worse if the swelling is constantly present, accompanied by pain, cyanosis or hyperemia skin. All these symptoms may indicate one of the diseases described below.

Heart failure

Unlike non-pathological edema, changes in the lower extremities caused by weak heart function have characteristics. Swelling occurs more often on the shins of the right and left legs. Edema, which affects men over 45 years of age, is caused by heart failure in almost half of the cases. The legs do not hurt, but when pressure is applied, pain occurs. discomfort. In patients with heart problems, the epidermis in swollen areas acquires a dark bluish tint, remaining cold and motionless, the limbs become numb and frozen. Swelling increases in the afternoon or after sleep.

When swelling appears, you need to pay attention to other symptoms. Arrhythmia, chest pain, and shortness of breath may indicate heart failure. Swelling of the legs in men can serve as a harbinger of this dangerous disease like a heart attack.

Rheumatic pathologies

With rheumatism, swelling of the legs is symmetrical. Associated symptoms is similar to what occurs in heart failure. In addition, swelling and pain in the joints are added to these manifestations, which negatively affect the motor activity sick.

The development of rheumatic diseases is most often preceded by a history of streptococcal infection, primarily affecting the lungs and upper respiratory tract. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is hospitalized. Ignoring the symptoms of rheumatism is extremely dangerous, since in the absence of treatment the disease can develop into chronic form.

Diseases of the veins of the lower extremities

There are many known pathologies that occur against the background of venous insufficiency. These include thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins. Patients with these diseases constantly experience swelling and pain in their legs. The covers over the areas of swelling become red and hot, the swelling itself feels dense and hard to the touch, you just can’t press it with a finger. All patients suffering from venous insufficiency typically describe their sensations:

• it seems as if the legs are “burning”;
• throughout the day there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• veins appear through the skin, resembling rough, uneven threads with convex nodes;
• swelling appears on the ankles and calves.

Varicose veins of the lower extremities require immediate treatment. The cause of swelling of the legs in women over 30 years of age in the majority of cases is precisely venous insufficiency, which can lead to hemorrhages and the appearance of trophic ulcers on the lower extremities. To get rid of this problem, women have to take several months special drugs and wear compression garments. In advanced cases, the only way to help the patient is surgically.

Swelling of the legs as an allergic reaction

Some people experience swelling in their limbs in response to medications, plant contact, or insect bites. Swelling looks like a dense tissue lesion, while no marks remain on the skin when pressed. The epidermis may become red and covered small rash and itch. Patients complain of a burning sensation in the affected limb, which intensifies with prolonged sitting or staying in one position. Before treating swelling of the legs caused by an allergen, it is necessary to clarify what was the irritant and eliminate it. To make the swelling go away faster and the itching disappear, the patient is prescribed antihistamines.

Kidney disorders

The slightest malfunction of the excretory system leads to stagnation of fluid in the tissues. Leg swelling caused by kidney disease is usually located on the top of the foot. The swelling is symmetrical and feels soft to the touch. In people with a history of kidney failure, sudden swelling of the lower extremities from the shins to the ankles may occur.

The cause of leg swelling is excessive fluid intake. In parallel with changes in the limbs, the patient may experience other signs indicating the presence of renal disorders:

• “bags” under the eyes;
• changes in daily urine volume;
• aching and nagging pain in the lumbar region.

Thyroid problems

Swelling of the legs may indicate a deficiency of hormones produced endocrine system. Often the swelling resembles a pad, because when pressed with your fingers, deep pits remain on it. If the pathology progresses, myxedema may develop - dangerous condition, which is characterized by an increased concentration of fluid in all tissues of the body. The epidermis in such patients appears puffy, its surface quickly flakes off, becomes rough, and has a gray-yellow tint.

Liver diseases

Swelling of the legs in elderly patients often occurs against the background of severe damage to the gland. This condition is possible with cirrhosis, malignant neoplasms, portal hypertension. The cause of swelling of the extremities is the cessation of the production of albumin - a substance, the deficiency of which leads to impairment metabolic processes and blood stagnation. The consequence of this failure is often the formation of dense swelling of the ankles.

Against the background of liver diseases, yellowing of the skin, redness of the palms, gynecomastia in men are possible; in severe cases, ascites develops.

Injuries

Almost any injury to the lower limb is accompanied by the appearance of swelling. Around a fracture, bruise, sprain, or dislocation, the epidermis becomes bluish. Depending on the severity of the injury, the motor ability of the limb is reduced, which hurts greatly at the slightest movement. The leg swells immediately, and a few days after the injury a hematoma appears.

To relieve swelling, it is advisable to first find out the nature of the damage. To do this, you need to go to the emergency room as soon as possible and do X-ray. Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor will prescribe treatment.

Lymphostasis

Impaired drainage of lymphatic fluid that accumulates in tissues may be caused by a hereditary predisposition. Lymphostasis, as a cause of swelling of the legs in women, may be a secondary ailment against the background of focal damage to the inguinal lymph nodes with malignant tumors and metastasis of the uterus, rectum, ovaries, and in men - with prostate cancer. This disease is popularly called elephantiasis. It often develops due to metabolic disorders, increased loads on the lower limbs. Most often, elephantiasis is observed only on one leg, right or left. Edema is a noticeable accumulation of fluid under the skin over the entire surface.

As the disease that causes lymphostasis progresses, swelling may be accompanied by cramps and critical fatigue. In the absence of information about the causes of leg swelling and treatment for lymphostasis, the limb can swell to incredible sizes and cease to function. With a huge engorged leg, it becomes difficult for the patient to get up and move independently. In addition to immobility of one of the limbs (right or left leg), swelling may be accompanied by weakness, malaise, joint pain, low-grade fever body and other symptoms characteristic of a specific causative disease.

Unbalanced diet

The process of removing fluid from the body is closely related to protein metabolism. Conscious or forced refusal of protein often leads to fluid stagnation and swelling of the legs. Such a violation most often occurs due to a sharp change in food preferences and eating style (vegetarianism, adherence to strict mono-diet, fasting, fasting days etc.). If an unbalanced diet is the answer to the question “why do my legs swell?”, you need to give up drawing up your daily menu yourself and seek help from a professional nutritionist.

Causes of swelling in women

According to statistics, women are more likely to complain about swelling of the lower extremities. In addition to pathological ones in women, this phenomenon can be provoked by natural factors associated with the characteristics of their reproductive system. For example, swelling may be one of the manifestations premenstrual syndrome. Swelling usually occurs a few days before the start of menstruation. In addition to swelling of the lower extremities, some women may experience swelling in the face, abdomen, and possibly a slight increase in body weight. It is common for the feet and legs to swell during pregnancy, which is a consequence of increased blood plasma volume and uterine growth.

Treatment with medications

Having learned about probable reasons such an unpleasant symptom, let’s move on to consider ways to treat swelling of the legs. First of all, as already mentioned, it is necessary to eliminate the provoking factor, that is, treat the underlying disease. To relieve swelling, symptomatic therapy is carried out. It is important to understand that in the absence of treatment for the underlying disease, the use of medicines to relieve swelling will give a short-term effect. The list of drugs that are prescribed to patients with severe swelling legs, includes:

Some of these drugs are used externally, the other part - orally. These medications can only be used in consultation with your doctor, since most medications have contraindications and side effects.

If the cause of swelling of the lower extremities is varicose veins, an excellent addition to drug therapy will become gymnastics - performing simple physical exercise aimed at improving fluid outflow. In cases where the cause of swelling was insufficiency of the heart muscle, on the contrary, it is advisable to limit the load. Measured and leisurely walking and swimming are allowed.

Traditional therapy

Methods traditional medicine in the treatment of leg swelling are used as often as pharmaceutical drugs, especially if swelling of the lower extremities is caused by non-pathological factors. In addition, folk remedies are safer to use, since they have virtually no contraindications and have a minimum of side effects. But still, before using herbal formulations, you should consult with your doctor.

Alternative home recipes are conventionally divided into two groups. One category includes decoctions and infusions, the other includes compresses and foot baths.

For oral administration

If your legs are swollen, treatment will involve the use of herbs and products that have a diuretic effect. People use the following means to remove fluid from the body:

• Mint infusion. To prepare it, you need 20 g of dry plant material and two glasses of boiling water. The drink is consumed instead of regular tea several times during the day. The drink cannot be sweetened; be sure to strain it before drinking.
• Pumpkin. You can eat it in any form - baked or boiled, in the form of porridge or juice. By regularly eating 100 g of this vegetable, the patient will feel a general improvement in well-being. Pumpkin helps with diseases of the kidneys, heart, and bladder.
• Carrot-cucumber juice. Vegetables for making juice are taken in equal proportions. To 50 ml of the resulting concentrate you need to add a teaspoon lemon juice. The drink is consumed three times a day for a month.
• Infusion of flaxseeds. For one glass of boiling water you need to take one tablespoon of grains, put the mixture on the fire and simmer for about half an hour. Take the cooled drink every three hours.
• Alcohol tincture from elderberry. Pour 3-4 tbsp into the prepared container. l. vegetable raw materials and pour 500 ml of vodka. The product is infused in a dark, cool place for 2 weeks. Once the medicine is ready, it must be filtered. The course of treatment is 10 days. Take the product three times a day, 10 drops before meals.

Foot baths and compresses

Enhance the effect of taking it system tools, decoctions and infusions can be used with medicinal baths and compresses. According to patient reviews, the simplest and effective formulations:

• Salt bath for legs. Pour one glass of sea salt into a container of water prepared for the procedure (if it is unavailable, you can use table salt), and lower your feet there for 15-20 minutes. The water temperature should not exceed +37 °C. After the procedure, it is advisable to lie on your back with your legs elevated.
• Chamomile foot bath. A liter of boiling water is poured into 100 g of herbal mixture, which is a mixture of chamomile flowers and mint leaves in equal proportions. Next, the mixture should brew. After a couple of hours, the healing composition is poured into a container for the feet and added warm water and lower your legs for 15-20 minutes. The course of treatment is 2 weeks. The procedures must be carried out with a one-day break.

• Potato compress. The raw root vegetable is grated on a fine grater, the resulting gruel is applied to the site of swelling and wrapped cling film, and on top of it - cotton cloth to tightly fix the compress. It is important that the potato mass acts on the tissue for 10-12 hours, so most often the compress is applied at night.

Nutritional Features

A person who, at least once in his life, has encountered the problem of severe swelling of the legs, regardless of the reasons for their occurrence, must understand that his body tends to accumulate fluid. To minimize the likelihood of developing swelling, even in the presence of unfavorable factors, it is necessary to make adjustments to your diet. First of all, it is important to exclude from the diet all foods that cause thirst:

• pickles and marinades;
• canned and smoked foods;
• fried foods;
• mustard and vinegar;
• flour and sweets;
• fatty meat and fish;
• whole milk.

In addition, you need to follow the universal recommendations of specialists aimed at preventing edema of any physiology:

• reduce salt intake into the body (up to 2 mg per day);
• do not limit physical activity (in the absence of contraindications from the cardiovascular system);
• do not start the disease that caused swelling in the legs;
• wear compression hosiery.

Treatment of edema will only be effective if its underlying cause is identified. An effective therapeutic plan should be drawn up by the attending physician after the diagnostic results.

All pregnant women, due to the increased load on the lower extremities and increased accumulation of water in the body, experience swelling of the legs, which is physiological norm. Usually after childbirth this unpleasant “symptom” goes away as the body returns to its normal state. But in some cases, swelling persists.

Causes

During pregnancy, the body accumulates fluid excessively - this is necessary for the normal bearing of the child. Labor activity implies removal excess water, due to which the swelling goes away. However, with increased physical activity, frequent and long walking or lack of sleep, some of the fluid remains in the body. This manifests itself in the form of swelling in the legs. Other possible causes of swelling include:

• phlebeurysm;
• chronic diseases;
• pathologies of the urinary system;
• high blood pressure;
• poor diet with excessive salt and seasonings.

Varicose veins

Pregnancy often provokes the occurrence of varicose veins. This is due to the enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy. It puts pressure on large venous trunks located in the pelvic area. This creates a mechanical obstacle to the venous flow of blood from the lower extremities to the heart. In addition, during pregnancy, the volume of circulating blood increases by approximately 30–40% due to the need to nourish two organisms at once: mother and child. This phenomenon creates additional stress on the legs and blood circulation in them. Varicose veins veins are treated with medications and physiotherapeutic methods with the participation of a phlebologist.

Kidney diseases

If a woman suffers from chronic pathologies and diseases of the urinary system, then swelling in the legs appears even before pregnancy. They are simply less pronounced than when carrying a child. Pregnancy creates an additional load on the blood flow, which is why postpartum swelling is more of a concern for the patient.

A nephrologist and urologist can answer the question of how to relieve unpleasant symptoms. In addition, sometimes the help of other specialists is required: a cardiologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, etc. It depends on what kind of chronic disease is diagnosed in the patient.

Arterial hypertension

High blood pressure impedes blood circulation and, to a greater extent, the flow of blood from body tissues to the heart. The insidiousness of the pathology lies in the fact that bearing a child physiologically increases blood pressure by 20 - 30 mmHg. Art. In addition, not all expectant mothers pay attention to changes in health, attributing headaches, spots before the eyes and dizziness to symptoms of pregnancy. If hypertension appears after the birth of a child, then, in addition to swelling, it also manifests itself with other symptoms, such as:

• dizziness and headache;
• noise in ears;
• nausea, vomiting;
• weakness;
• “flies” before the eyes;
• redness of the skin of the face and chest or the appearance of reddish spots in these areas.

Poor nutrition

Most often, the cause of swelling is precisely an imperfect diet, and not vascular or kidney pathologies. After the birth of a child, mothers rejoice in the opportunity to “pamper” themselves delicious dishes and begin to abuse salty, smoked foods. This leads to disruption salt balance in the body, fluid retention and swelling of the legs.

To prevent an unpleasant symptom, exclude coffee, tea and cocoa from your diet (they strong allergens), as well as fatty, spicy and canned food. The amount of salt in dishes should be reduced to a minimum or not added at all. Hypovitaminosis and a lack of minerals: lecithin, selenium and zinc can provoke swelling. To thin the blood and facilitate circulation, add citrus fruits, tomatoes, cranberries and grapes to your daily diet. Do not use traditional methods(tinctures, extracts, decoctions, etc.) without first consulting a doctor!

Treatment of leg swelling after childbirth

To relieve existing swelling, follow the diet described above. In addition, foot massage may help, light gymnastics and contrasting foot baths. When taking a shower in the evening, direct the stream of water to your feet, alternating hot and cool temperatures. This will increase blood flow in the lower extremities and help cope with swelling. You can also rub your feet with a towel soaked in hot and cold water or massage using ice cubes. Among physical exercises, lifting on tiptoes, rolling from toe to heel and back, and moving the feet in a circle are considered effective.

Try not to overdo it with walks. Long-term load on the legs due to walking provokes increased blood flow to the lower extremities and the occurrence of edema. Make sure you get proper rest. It is useful to lie on the bed with your legs raised (for example, the “birch tree” exercise). When resting, place several pillows under your feet to improve blood flow. Sleep on your left side.

It is forbidden to cross your legs and stand in one place for a long time. If this is still necessary, periodically rise on your toes - this will increase the flow of blood from the lower extremities to the heart. Doctors also advise some patients to use tights.

Usually, swelling of the legs after the birth of a child goes away within two to three months. If swelling still persists, consult a doctor. Consultations with a urologist, ultrasound of the heart and general blood and urine tests will help identify the cause. Do not self-medicate - it is harmful to your health!

Many pregnant women face the problem of severe swelling while carrying a child. They occur in the third trimester, and sometimes occur after the baby is born. Swelling of the legs after childbirth is a completely natural phenomenon.

Why do they arise? How long will it take for the swelling to go away? What should you do if your limbs are swollen? What do your legs look like after childbirth?

The mechanism of edema

Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in tissues and organs. People without medical training may confuse puffiness with swelling. In order to distinguish them, you need to press on the site of the swelling and hold your finger pressed against the skin for a minute. If a woman has swelling, then a dent will remain on the skin, which will not smooth out for several minutes. When your arms and legs become swollen and painful during pregnancy, the expectant mother may require hospitalization.

Postpartum edema: causes and treatment

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Many women are concerned about when the swelling goes away. The answer depends on the location and severity of symptoms. Most often, women's lower extremities swell. Legs suffer due to excess load not only before, but also during and after childbirth.

Swelling of the legs and arms occurs due to impaired kidney function during gestation. Swelling of the perineum appears due to the birth of a large child or complications during labor.

The causes of edema after childbirth may also be due to the use of drugs to stimulate labor. The following factors also affect fluid retention:

• lack of vitamins;
• disruption of daily routine;
• vascular diseases;
• changes in hormonal levels;
• increase or decrease in blood pressure.

Physiological edema (the body does not have time to get rid of accumulated fluid)

Women in the postpartum period very often face the problem of swelling. The reasons for its occurrence include:

• The body's natural postpartum reaction. Despite the fact that in the first day of motherhood a woman loses at least three liters of fluid, a fairly large amount is retained in the tissues. Swelling of the legs, as a rule, goes away in the first week and a half after the end of pregnancy.
• Use of drugs to induce labor. In this case, the swelling goes away within a week.

Kidney diseases

During pregnancy, the kidneys suffer, as they have to work for two. Renal failure during this period may be associated with uterine pressure on internal organs and the urinary system, resulting in fluid retention in the body. The second reason is a change in blood composition, which negatively affects the functioning of the body as a whole.

If a woman had chronic kidney diseases before and during pregnancy, they need to be monitored after childbirth. In this case, regular visits to a urologist or nephrologist are mandatory.

If swelling after childbirth is associated with the kidneys, then it is localized on the face, abdomen and legs. Fluid retention is usually caused by diseases such as pyelonephritis, renal failure, hydronephrosis of the kidney, congenital anomalies organ.

Wrong diet

A woman’s diet is another factor that provokes swelling. If she prefers salty, fried and smoked foods, then water is retained and accumulated in the body. In addition, meals should be fractional. Overeating can negatively affect a mother's health. Unfortunately, not all mothers, especially new mothers, can independently regulate their diet, sleep, and fluid intake, since they are busy with the baby.

Hypertonic disease

IN last years the number of patients with cardiovascular pathologies has increased, and their average age has decreased. Swelling with hypertension appear gradually and unnoticeably. On initial stages a woman may not pay attention to illness for months high blood pressure. However, the appearance of accompanying unpleasant symptoms should be a cause for concern. These include shortness of breath, tachycardia, and facial flushing. Untreated hypertension will lead to thinning of blood vessels and disruption of their elasticity, as a result of which the kidneys and the entire urinary system may suffer.

How to prevent physiological edema and get rid of it?

Many young mothers are concerned about how to prevent this problem or how to quickly relieve swelling after childbirth. Prevention of physiological edema includes the following rules for: quick recovery after childbirth:

• proper nutrition;
• regular daytime and evening walks in the fresh air;
• cool shower;
• regular toileting of the perineum, especially if it is damaged during childbirth (in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations);
• adherence to sleep and wakefulness;
• minimal physical activity;
• selection of the right underwear (compression) and shoes (without heels).

Physiological edema, as a rule, subsides after 7–10 days. If such a problem occurs, there is no need to panic; you should wait one and a half to two weeks. By this time, physiological swelling will certainly subside. If a woman wants to get rid of puffiness as soon as possible, she should follow some rules. Treatment includes diet correction, control of fluid intake, maximum possible reduction loads on the lower limbs, as well as wearing special postpartum underwear.

Drinking regime before and after childbirth

A woman after childbirth should drink more fluid than during pregnancy, approximately 2–2.5 liters per day. This is due to the beginning breastfeeding– now the woman will have to give her baby 1–1.5 liters of milk every day, which her body must produce.

For patients with the problem of physiological swelling, coffee, carbonated water, as well as very sweet juices and compotes are strictly contraindicated. Women with swelling are recommended to drink the following drinks:

• dill water;
• cranberry juice;
• Birch juice;
• lime tea;
• decoction of dried berries viburnum;
• infusion of dried apricots.

The last two drinks are very easy to prepare. To obtain a decoction of viburnum, take 20 g of dried berries, add 200 ml of boiling water and cook for 20 minutes. After the specified time, the decoction must be carefully strained. The second infusion is prepared using 200 g of dried apricots. Dried fruits are poured with 200 ml of boiling water and infused for at least 6 hours.

Despite the fact that diuretic drinks really help to remove swelling in young mothers, their use should be agreed upon with a gynecologist and pediatrician. It is necessary to exclude the negative effects of the components of drinks on the baby’s body.

Diet correction

A new mother often looks swollen due to poor nutrition and abuse certain products. In this case, the swelling will go away as soon as the woman balances her diet. Must be included in your daily menu greens, fresh vegetables and fruits, minimize salt consumption, replacing it with permitted seasonings.

The following foods and dishes should be excluded:

• coffee and strong tea;
• smoked meats and pickles;
• sausages, sausages;
• canned food;
• fat meat;
• salted and dried fish;
• chips and crackers with added spices;
• alcohol;
• carbonated drinks.

Reducing the load on the legs

Many women after childbirth ask their gynecologist how to quickly remove swelling. Decline physical activity after childbirth - one of the ways to treat and prevent physiological swelling of the legs.

Taking care of the newborn, the mother is constantly on her feet, as a result of which the load on the lower limbs increases. It must be remembered that from now on a woman is responsible not only for herself, and the well-being of the baby depends on the condition of the mother. Firstly, a woman should rest more while lying down, placing her legs on a small cushion. Secondly, she needs to take warm baths with herbs - sage, nettle, chamomile. After such a pleasant relaxing procedure, it is recommended to massage your feet and calves.

In order to quickly relieve swelling of the arms, legs or perineum, you can use the services of a professional massage therapist. A specialist, acting on tissues, will help the body quickly get rid of excess fluid.

Compression underwear

Compression garments are the best way to prevent and treat vascular diseases of the legs. Patients who wear it postpartum period, are insured against disturbances in the normal state of the vessels of the lower extremities. Compression jersey It also avoids stretching of the skin. Compression stockings, socks or tights are worn long time(according to the instructions) and remove for rest periods.