Fingers swollen, shoes impossible to put on, all mothers go through this. During pregnancy, it is common for women to retain water due to various physiological changes, which appear over the months.
Water retention, also known as "edema", mainly affects women, especially during pregnancy. This happens when the body withholds the fluids that are supposed to go to the kidneys from circulating. As a result, instead of evacuating water between the organs and the skin, it will stagnate and create swelling. So, if you notice that your feet, ankles, legs or even parts of your face are abnormally swollen and heavy, accompanied by a feeling of discomfort, it may be water retention. A very common symptom in women, especially near childbirth.
How to spot water retention?
First of all, don't worry, retention is good for your health. As a reminder, the body is 65-70% water, water retention or edema, occurs during excessive storage of water in the tissues. Thus, this phenomenon of swelling occurs when the body stores more water than it expels. "We talk about water retention when water flows into the cells, which results from swelling", underlines the expert. For pregnant women, they have already reached a physiological degree that can lead to water retention. At the beginning of the pregnancy, it is necessary to watch the weight gain, because there is a hormonal retention ", says Dr. Benattar, medical and obstetrical gynecologist and author of Plaisir feminine.
Edemas during pregnancy
In pregnant women, fluid retention becomes particularly troublesome in the third trimester of pregnancy because the uterus puts great pressure on the blood vessels. Thus, the blood circulation is slower and lipids stagnate in the legs, ankles and feet. Usually it is manifested by swelling of the tissues in the body.
Water retention due to hormones
Also, during pregnancy, there is a hormonal change that occurs over the months, especially because of the increase in the level of progesterone which lowers the salt level in the body. To remedy this loss, the body stores abnormally more sodium and salt.
In addition, it is possible to retain water during the week before menstruation, due to hormonal fluctuations. Thus we observe that some parts of the body and face become sensitive, such as the breasts, face, stomach, legs or even arms. Also, the contraceptive pill can cause the effects of water retention, especially because of the estrogen and progestins contained inside. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor to have a less dosed pill or to change contraception, if you wish.
Edema due to poor circulation of the blood
When there is poor blood circulation, it is common to retain water. In this context, the blood vessels allow water to pass through, so the liquid is stored in the tissues which then start to swell.
Water retention due to prolonged immobility
Edemas can occur when women stay still for a long time without moving. This is because the muscles contract and can then swell. "There is also common water retention linked to poor venous return, or even venous insufficiency", she indicates. These odoemas occur when standing, working out, which can lead to poor venous return through the heart. In these cases, the doctor may advise stockings, with venous tonics", emphasizes Dr Benattar.
How to prevent an edema?
Edema is one of the body’s worst enemies: it can make you gain several sizes (and pounds) during the same day, even if you do not allow yourself any dietary deviation! If, in the evening, your legs are heavy, and your clothes are tight, no doubt, you are retaining water. A phemoneme all the more amplified before the baby arrives.
A few measures are in order:
- Limit salt. It promotes retention! Avoid foods rich in salt (cold meats, smoked fish, cheeses, etc.) and prepared meals, opt for dietetic salts (pharmacy, health food stores, supermarkets).
- Favor foods rich in potassium. This mineral plays an important role in our water balance. It is mainly found in fruits and vegetables, both fresh and dried.
- The raisins containing for 100 g, 749 mg of potassium and dried fruits, 164 mg.
- Take a course of draining active ingredients. Fennel, dandelion, cherry stems, grapes … Found in many food supplements, they help to de-infiltrate the tissues and eliminate toxins.
- Avoid consuming alcohol
- Avoid tight clothing
- Treat yourself to lymphatic drainage. By stimulating the lymph by pressure and manual pumping, this massage (physiotherapist or institute) promotes exchanges between tissues.
- Take care of your meals. To avoid having heavy legs, especially your stomach, eat calmly, while chewing. Also be careful not to abuse whole foods, too rich in fiber, and raw vegetables, aggressive for the intestines.
- Drink a lot of water
Are water retention dangerous for health?
Odemas are generally harmless, however it is important to monitor their effects on the body. "During pregnancy, you can be affected by weight gain over a very short period of time, which should be monitored", specifies the expert. In fact, if during the week, a pregnant woman gains 8 kilos and her ankles are swollen, swelling in the fingers, it can cause concern. This may be linked to hypertension with renal dysfunction ", concludes Dr Benattar.
Is it possible to retain water after pregnancy?
After childbirth, mothers usually have low hormones, fluid retention is a less common symptom after baby is born. Indeed, water retention disappears within ten days after childbirth, because the body eliminates the various fluids accumulated during pregnancy through urine and consequent sweating. Thus, the circulation of water in the tissues is restored naturally.