How long does postpartum leg swelling last?
Postpartum edema should go away in about a week. (It may last a few days longer if you had preeclampsia, or pregnancy-related high blood pressure, that caused excessive swelling of your feet and hands in late pregnancy.)
How do I massage my swollen feet after pregnancy?
Removing excess fluids from the body reduces swelling. Start by massaging the feet only – in an upwards motion go from the toes up to the ankle. Keep firm, steady pressure and repeat for 3-7 minutes.
What helps swelling go down in legs?
Some tips that may help reduce swelling:
- Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
- Exercise your legs.
- Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
- Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
Why are my legs swollen after C section?
Swelling is due to the fact that you’re carrying about 50% more blood volume and fluids during pregnancy, which don’t just disappear after delivery. Swelling is common in the feet, legs, hands, face, and vulva and should subside after a few weeks following birth.
How do you get rid of swollen feet after pregnancy?
The following home remedies can help to reduce postpartum swelling by increasing circulation:
- Drink water.
- Elevate your feet.
- Do light exercise.
- Wear compression stockings.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Avoid salt.
- Eat potassium-rich foods.
- Drink less caffeine.
What is a natural remedy for swollen legs?
Keep an ice pack on your legs for about 20 minutes every hour over the first 3 days after symptoms start. Avoid using heat, as it may make swelling worse. Compression. Wrap an elastic bandage around your legs or wear compression stockings, which use pressure to keep swelling down.
How long after c-section does it take for swelling to go down?
The swelling throughout your body is most likely going to be the worst during the first week after giving birth, and should subside after a few weeks, according to Ross. “Your body has gone through this amazing transformation for nine months, so trying to get back to ‘normal’ can take a while,” she says.
What is the best treatment for swollen legs?
The best treatments for leg pain and swelling depend on their cause. Common treatments, however, include pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications. Pain and swelling can be caused by injury, standing for prolong periods of time, and poor circulation.
What causes swelling in the feet and legs during pregnancy?
Swelling is common at this time because the body retains extra fluid to protect and support the growing fetus. Swelling in the feet usually happens later in pregnancy, when the weight of the uterus and fetus puts extra pressure on the legs and feet. This pressure can reduce circulation and increase fluid buildup, which causes swelling.
Is swelling an early sign of pregnancy?
Swelling that comes on gradually isn’t usually harmful to you or your baby, but it can be uncomfortable. A sudden increase in swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks) or soon after the birth.
What are the dangers of swollen legs?
In either situation, the blood clot can be life threatening. The main danger is the possibility that the blood clot will break free and damage another major organ while traveling through the blood stream. Water retention is one of the most common causes of swollen legs, but it usually causes both legs to swell.