Topic Resources As pregnancy progresses, fluid may accumulate in tissues, usually in the feet, ankles, and legs, causing them to swell and appear puffy. This condition is called edema. Occasionally, the face and hands also swell. Some fluid accumulation during pregnancy is normal, particularly during the 3rd trimester.
- It is called physiologic edema.
- Fluid accumulates during pregnancy because the adrenal glands produce more of the hormones that make the body retain fluids ( aldosterone and cortisol ).
- Fluid also accumulates because the enlarging uterus interferes with blood flow from the legs to the heart.
- As a result, fluid backs up in the veins of the legs and seeps out into the surrounding tissues.
Usually during pregnancy, swelling is In preeclampsia, blood pressure and protein levels in urine increase during pregnancy. Fluids may accumulate, causing swelling in the face, hands, or feet and weight gain. If severe, preeclampsia can damage organs, such as the brain, kidneys, lungs, or liver, and cause problems in the baby.
- Peripartum cardiomyopathy causes shortness of breath and fatigue as well as swelling.
- In cellulitis, bacteria infect the skin and tissues under the skin, sometimes causing swelling with redness and tenderness.
- Cellulitis most commonly affects the legs but may occur anywhere.
- The risk of deep vein thrombosis and preeclampsia is increased by various conditions (risk factors).
For deep vein thrombosis, risk factors include the following:
A previous episode of deep vein thrombosis Inherited blood clotting disorders A disorder that makes blood more likely to clot, such as cancer or kidney or heart problems Immobility, as may occur after an illness or surgery Obesity
For preeclampsia, risk factors include
Preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy or a family member who has had preeclampsia Age under 17 or over 35 A first pregnancy A pregnancy with more than one fetus Blood vessel (vascular) disorders
For peripartum cardiomyopathy, risk factors include the following:
Age 30 or older African descent A pregnancy with more than one fetus Preeclampsia
Doctors must rule out deep vein thrombosis, preeclampsia, a heart disorder, cellulitis, and other possible causes before they can diagnose physiologic edema. In pregnant women with swollen legs, the following symptoms are cause for concern:
Blood pressure that is 140/90 mm Hg or higher Swelling in only one leg or calf, particularly if the area is warm, red, and/or tender or fever is present Swelling in the hands Swelling that suddenly increases Confusion, difficulty breathing, changes in vision, shaking (tremor), a seizure, sudden abdominal pain, or a sudden headache—symptoms that may be caused by preeclampsia Chest pain
Women should go to the hospital immediately if they have
Symptoms that suggest preeclampsia or a heart disorder
Women with other warning signs should see a doctor that day. Women without warning signs should see a doctor, but a delay of several days is usually not harmful. Doctors ask the following:
When the swelling started How long it has been present Whether any activity (such as lying on the left side) lessens or worsens it
Lying on the left side decreases physiologic edema. Doctors also ask about conditions that increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, preeclampsia, and peripartum cardiomyopathy. Women are asked about other symptoms, which may suggest a cause.
- They are asked whether they have ever had deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, preeclampsia, high blood pressure, or heart problems, including cardiomyopathy.
- During the physical examination, doctors look for evidence of a serious cause.
- To check for symptoms of preeclampsia, doctors measure blood pressure, listen to the heart and lungs, and may check the woman’s reflexes and look at the back of her eyes with an ophthalmoscope (a handheld device that resembles a small flashlight).
Doctors also look for areas of swelling, particularly in the legs, hands, and face. Any swollen areas are checked to see if they are red, warm, or tender. If deep vein thrombosis is suspected, Doppler ultrasonography of the affected leg is done. This test can show disturbances in blood flow caused by blood clots in the leg veins. If preeclampsia is suspected, the protein level is measured in a urine sample.
- High blood pressure plus a high protein level in urine indicates preeclampsia.
- If the diagnosis is unclear, the woman is asked to collect her urine for 24 hours, and protein is measured in that volume of urine.
- This measurement is more accurate.
- However, preeclampsia may also be present if the protein level in urine is normal.
High blood pressure with headache, changes in vision, abdominal pain, or abnormal blood or urine test results may also indicate preeclampsia. If peripartum cardiomyopathy is suspected, electrocardiography, chest x-ray, echocardiography, and blood tests to check heart function are done.
Lying on the left side, which moves the uterus off the large vein that returns blood to the heart (inferior vena cava) Resting frequently with the legs elevated Wearing elastic support stockings Wearing loose clothing that does not restrict blood flow, particularly in the legs (for example, not wearing socks or stockings that have tight bands around the ankles or calves)
Some swelling in the legs and ankles is normal (physiologic) during pregnancy and occurs during the 3rd trimester. Doctors can identify serious causes of swelling based on results of a physical examination, blood pressure measurement, blood and urine tests, and sometimes ultrasonography. If pregnancy itself is the cause, swelling can be reduced by lying on the left side, elevating the legs periodically, wearing support stockings, and wearing clothing that does not restrict blood flow.
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Contents
Why does your face get puffy when pregnant?
Pregnancy Exercise For Swollen Face
Extra fluid builds up during pregnancy as hormones change, which helps to soften the body so it can more easily expand as the baby and uterus grow. This normal swelling is known as edema and it begins about halfway through pregnancy with the worst symptoms in the third trimester.
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Does pregnancy affect your face?
Chloasma – dark patches on the face – Some pregnant women develop dark irregular patches on their face most commonly on the upper cheek, nose, lips, and forehead. This is called ‘chloasma’. It is also sometimes known as ‘melasma’ or the ‘mask of pregnancy’.
Chloasma is thought to be due to stimulation of pigment-producing cells by female sex hormones so that they produce more melanin pigments (dark coloured pigments) when the skin is exposed to sun. Some women develop these patches when they take (the pill). Women with a light brown skin type who are living in regions with intense sun exposure are more likely to develop these patches.
The patches usually fade over a period of several months after giving birth, though they may last for several years for some women. Careful protection of the skin using broad spectrum sunscreens every day during pregnancy and while taking the pill may make it less likely that chloasma will develop.
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What happens if you don’t wait 6 weeks after birth?
After the baby is born, how soon can I have sex? – While there’s no required waiting period before you can have sex again, many health care providers recommend waiting to have sex until four to six weeks after delivery, regardless of the delivery method.
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When does your milk come in?
Breastfeeding and Delayed Milk Production For the first 2 to 5 days after your baby is born, you will make a small amount of colostrum, which is all a healthy term baby needs. Colostrum is a thick, rich milk that is high in nutrients. Around day 3 through 5, your milk will come in. Here are some things that may cause a delay of your milk coming in:
Severe stress Cesarean (surgical) delivery Bleeding after birth Obesity Infection or illness with fever Diabetes Thyroid conditions Strict or prolonged bed rest during pregnancy
Milk supply depends on demand (milk removal.) Feeding frequently, when your baby shows hunger cues, is the best way to have a good supply. If you are having trouble with delayed milk production or a decrease in the amount of milk, then first take a look at the number and length of your feedings.
- And make sure that your baby is able to put his or her mouth around your nipple to nurse (latch on) and can transfer milk from your breast.
- If you have a delay in your milk coming in, don’t feel discouraged.
- Continue to express milk.
- That means removing milk from your breasts with a breast pump or by hand.
And continue to breastfeed often, even if you are supplementing with formula for a few days. Babies who are premature or jaundiced are especially likely to need formula temporarily. Sometimes a mother has a health condition that may temporarily delay the large increase in milk production usually seen between 3 to 5 days following birth.
These mothers may not begin to produce large amounts of milk until 7 to 14 days after giving birth. If this happens to you, don’t feel discouraged. Continue to breastfeed frequently, even if you also must give your baby infant formula for a few days. Babies who are premature or jaundiced are especially likely to need formula temporarily.
Don’t wait to get help if milk supply is ever a concern. The sooner you do, the better. Many communities have breastfeeding support groups that can be a good resource. Contact your healthcare provider if you are having problems breastfeeding. He or she may recommend a lactation consultant, a specialist in breastfeeding.
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Can pregnancy change the way your face looks?
About half of pregnant women develop melasma, which appears as large, dark patches on their face. Sometimes called the ‘mask of pregnancy,’ this hyper-pigmentation is commonly found symmetrically on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Increased hormones levels are one factor.
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Are husbands more attracted to pregnant wives?
Although you might not always feel sexy during pregnancy, a new study suggests some men may actually be more attracted to pregnant women. Updated: December 1, 2022 Pregnancy is a beautiful experience, but it can also leave many expectant mothers feeling vulnerable and self-conscious about their changing body, and for some men, pregnant women are a turn-on.
- More: Sexuality and Breastfeeding A new study put together by a team of Italian and Swedish doctors turned to online fetish groups to present a questionnaire about sexual preferences for sexual and lactating women, and the results might surprise you.
- The researchers behind the study set out to discover what the link was between those who are attracted to pregnant women, and their upbringing, and it turns out that the link has a result to whether or not they are the older sibling,
The results conclusively showed that the more men were exposed to their mother being pregnant and/or breastfeeding between the ages of one-and-a-half and five years old, the more likely to develop a sexual attraction to pregnant and/or breastfeeding women they are.
- More importantly, this is largely developed in older siblings, with 66 percent of the 2000+ respondents having at least one younger sibling who have been exposed to maternal pregnancy and/or breastfeeding.
- These results further back the idea of ‘sexual imprinting,’ a natural process where your future partner preferences are determined from a young age, in most cases based off of a parent.
Generally, this pregnant/lactating attraction is not discovered until the age of 18, but is imprinted from a much younger age. It was also addressed that there was some overlap with Sigmund Freud’s “oedipal phase” concept, the stage of psychosexual development of children between the ages of three to six, although the development mechanism more aligns with sexual imprinting according to these survey results.
- So what does this mean to women and their partners? You just might be able to predict how they’ll feel about you when you’re pregnant (especially if they happen to be the older sibling).
- Baby on the way? Follow us on Pinterest for advice, tips, and parenting wisdom: About the author Jacqueline Weiss Jacqueline Weiss is a blogger, freelance writer and social media consultant based in Los Angeles.
A graduate of Emerson college, she is passionate about wellness, fitness, and beauty.
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How long will it take for face swelling to go down?
Your face may be swollen and bruised. It may take 5 to 7 days for the swelling to go down, and 10 to 14 days for the bruising to fade. It may be hard to eat at first.
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What happens to your face after pregnancy?
When can I expect postpartum skin changes to fade? – Although pregnancy-related skin conditions are common, they can be frustrating when they linger. That might involve symptoms like PUPPP, dry skin, acne, and redness. Many do resolve on their own within six months, especially as your hormone levels reset, but if they’re affecting your daily life or seem to be getting worse, talk to your doctor.
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