Swollen Legs And Ankles

Most women at some point in their pregnancy, notice swelling in their feet and lower legs. Most times, the swelling is confined to the lower extremities. Swelling in your lower legs is made worse when you stand for long periods of time. If leg swelling is starting to become a problem, try to take several breaks during the day where you lie down with your feet raised. If you are working, try to move around frequently during the day. The action of your leg muscles helps return some of the excess fluid to other parts of your body. If you notice that one leg is much more swollen than the other, notify your care provider, since this can be a sign of a blood clot in your leg. However, remember that it is normal for the right leg to be slightly more swollen than the left, since the uterus tilts in such a way as to compress the drainage of blood from your right leg more than your left.

What do avoid

Diuretics are not safe in pregnancy.

Leg Cramps

Some women find that they wake up at night with sudden leg cramps. It’s not clear why these cramps become more common during pregnancy. Calcium supplementation may reduce symptoms and is safe during pregnancy. If leg cramps make you wake up at night, try to walk off the pain or place a warm compress on your calf. If you have persistent cramps try to pay special attention to your calves before going to bed. Stretch them out gently by stepping up on to a step and pressing your heels down one at a time. If you still have problems, talk to your doctor about magnesium supplements. Do not take magnesium supplements with out checking with your care provider first.

What’s safe to use

Calcium supplementation of 1 gm twice per day for 2 weeks.

Restless Legs Syndrome

About 10-20 percent of women will develop restless legs syndrome (RLS) during the second half of pregnancy. RLS usually occurs as you try to fall asleep. You might have tingling or other sensations in your lower legs, which give you the overwhelming urge to move your legs around. However, moving your legs or walking around does not relieve RLS. If your sleep is becoming disrupted, talk to your care provider. Sometimes this condition is associated with iron deficiency anemia, so iron supplementation may help. It’s best to avoid caffeinated drinks in the last half of the day because these may make symptoms worse.

Varicose Veins

The pressure of the growing uterus and consequent increased blood flow causes a notable increase in prominent veins in your upper and lower legs. As the pressure in your veins increases weakness in certain areas of the veins can cause the sides to balloon out. These are varicose veins. They may also occur in your vulva.

Varicose veins are more common with second and third pregnancies, but many women have them in their first pregnancy as well. Whether you get varicose veins or not is mostly genetic. You may be able to reduce the size of enlarged veins in your legs by wearing good support hose designed for pregnant women. However, many women find these hose hot and uncomfortable and of only slight benefit in reducing the appearance of varicose veins. Lying down with your feet up several times during the day may also help. If your veins remain enlarged after your pregnancy you can consider one of several cosmetic options, including laser treatments, sclerotherapy, and surgery. You should wait until after your have completed all your pregnancies to treat enlarged veins, since they are likely to return in subsequent pregnancies.

Stretch Marks

About half of all pregnant women will get stretch marks during pregnancy. Stretch marks often occur on the abdomen, but can also develop on your breasts and bottom. They are caused by microtears that occur in the connective tissue in your skin as the skin stretches more than it is able. Despite the claims made by manufacturers of various creams, no cream will prevent you from getting stretch marks. However, you can slightly reduce your chances of stretch marks by limiting your weight gain during pregnancy to 25-35 lb (11-16kg).

Stretch marks will fade over time, becoming faint and silvery. While you can’t prevent stretch marks, you can have them treated after pregnancy. Laser therapy is one option that is gaining in popularity. Plan on waiting to treat stretch marks until after all your pregnancies are completed since you are likely to develop more with each pregnancy. Treating stretch marks is considered cosmetic and is usually not covered by insurance.

Skin Changes

During pregnancy your skin undergoes enormous changes. Starting early on in pregnancy there is a big increase in the blood supply to your skin, which is euphemistically referred to as the glow of pregnancy.

Early in pregnancy, the most common skin change you may notice is an increase in acne as a result of hormone changes. It is safe to treat acne during pregnancy with creams and gels such as benzoyl peroxide or, after consultation with a dermatologist antibiotic creams. As you move in to the early second trimester, you may start to notice that your skin is darkening pregnancy stimulates production of the pigment melanin. You mal notice that pigmented areas of your body, including existing moles and your nipples, darken. New areas of pigment may also appear as your pregnancy progresses, including a dark line between your belly button and pubic hair called linea nigra. Some women also develop pigmentation across the nose and cheeks. Both these areas of pigmentation should fade after your pregnancy.

About two-thirds of women with lighter skin notice that the palms of their hands turn red. It results from the increased levels of the hormone estrogen in your body, and will disappear when you are no longer pregnant. Increased blood flow to your skin during pregnancy can also cause tiny red bumps surrounded by little red lines to form. These blemishes are called spider angioma and occur most often on the face, neck and upper chest but will fade after pregnancy. No treatment is needed unless he spider angioma are still present 3 months after pregnancy md you don’t like their appearance.

Sweating

Almost all pregnant women tend to feel warm during pregnancy. With this change in the way you perceive temperature and your increased metabolic rate, you are likely to notice that you are perspiring more. This is normal but can be irritating. Deodorant is safe during pregnancy so don’t worry if you find you need to use it more frequently.

Itching And Rashes

Many women have itchy skin during pregnancy, especially over their abdomen. Most of the itching seems to be associated with the physical skin stretching of pregnancy. Some women find that a cool sensation relieves some of the feeling of itching. Cool oatmeal baths or moisturizing lotion kept in the fridge may provide temporary relief. Itching may also be a sign of a condition called cholestasis of pregnancy, which sometimes develops in the third trimester. It is diagnosed with a blood test that examines the level of bile acids (produced by your liver) in your blood. If your doctor diagnoses this condition you will be given medication to reduce the excess bile acids. Thc usual treatment is a drug called ursodeoxycholic acid. High levels of bile acids can increase the chances of complications in your current pregnancy and may prompt your care provider to induce your labor prior to your due date. It is not know whether treatment with agents like ursodeoxycholic acid reduce the likelihood of pregnancy complications.

Warning Signs

If itching is accompanied by any of the following you should see your doctor.

• A significant bumpy rash on your abdomen this may be a condition called which is specific to pregnancy and needs more intensive treatment with prescription drugs.
• Persistent severe itching on your arms and legs with out a noticeable rash in the third trimester of pregnancy. This may be a symptom of a condition called cholestasis of pregnancy where bile acids from your liver build up in your skin, causing itching.

Safe Lifting

If at all possible, avoid lifting anything heavy, including your older toddler. If you do have to lift something, use the following technique.

• Stand with your feet hip-distance apart.
• Bend from your hips and knees, keeping your back straight.
• Keeping the object close to your body, use the strong muscles of your legs to lift.
• Keep your back straight for the whole lift.