How To Tackle Water Retention From Pregnancy Until After Birth?

Are you struggling with any of these?

Feeling frustrated over your swollen legs throughout your pregnancy which caused all your usual shoes to no longer fit in? Feeling frustrated over your weight increment due to water retention throughout your pregnancy? Feeling frustrated over your swollen face or swollen body throughout your pregnancy journey? If your answer is yes, do spend a little time reading this blog! It might help you like it does many moms!

What is water retention?

Water retention can also be defined as fluid retention which is known as Oedema in medical terms. This is a common phenomenon for many expectant mommies as according to a study, it is found that up to 80% of healthy pregnant mommies are suffering from oedema from pregnancy until after birth.

In order to understand the ways to tackle water retention from pregnancy until after birth, it is important as well to know why oedema actually happens for most pregnant and postpartum mommies.

Why does water retention occur?

Water retention occurs due to the drastic increase in blood volume when mothers are pregnant as this will lead to an increase of blood plasma in comparison with red blood cells together with the effect of hormonal changes. Hence, pregnant mothers usually will discover that parts of their bodies such as hands, arms, feet, and legs are swollen.

How to relieve water retention?

1. Soak your feet in water.

Hot and cold water are encouraged to be used for this. Soaked interchangeably with a little Epsom salt from 10 to 15 minutes for each soak.

Epsom salt is believed to be useful in drawing out toxins and helps in relaxation. This is useful because according to some experts, hot water will aid in the dilation of blood vessels while cold water aid in contracting the blood vessels. These actions of dilating and contracting will then help in improving the circulation of blood and thus preventing the pooling of fluid around the feet. Furthermore, the hydrostatic pressure from the water can act to push the accumulated fluid in the tissues back into the veins for excretion as well.

2. Increase the intake of protein up to 100mg daily starting from 3rd trimester of pregnancy

Low level of protein (albumin) in bloods can lead to the thickness level of blood being affected. This will eventually result in fluids in the blood vessels being leaked into the surrounding blood vessels. Hence, pregnant mommies are recommended to take anything rich in protein every 2 to 3 hours.

3. Doing light exercise and make it a daily habit

Light exercise helps in reducing the water retention problems for postpartum mommies. This is because moving around will aid the blood and fluids to be circulated and thus preventing it from pooling which eventually resulted in retention.

The recommended light activities are such as:
- Walking
- Gentle Yoga
- Swimming
- Aquanatal classes
- Pilates

You May Also Read : Best Practice for Losing Weight After Having a Baby

4. Reduce the intake of salts but at the same time increase the intake of water

Balance of sodium and water in the body is a necessity. This is because the intake of sodium and retention of fluid in the body is indirectly proportional. However, it is unavoidable for new mommies to take confinement meals or lactation meals in order to recover their bodies and boost lactation.

Hence, mommies are encouraged to have 8 to 12 cups of water per day to ensure the sufficiency of fluid in their bodies. With this, water retention in the body can be minimised or avoided as well.

5. Get prenatal and postnatal massage therapy

Postnatal Massage Therapy - PNSG — Postnatal Massage Therapy – PNSG

Prenatal massage aids in easing the strained muscles at which this will also help in improving the body overall blood circulation. Once the blood circulation of the lymphatic system is improved, the water retention problems can gradually go away. Commonly, there are three techniques used in prenatal or postnatal massage therapy to relieve water retention:

Manual lymph drainage
Effleurage
Deep stroke

Do you face these problems when it comes to pregnancy massage?

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Even though water retention may be a frustrating issue for most pregnant mommies, it can be solved if you try to tackle it the right way from early on. Regardless, it is always recommended for you to consult your gynaecologist before implementing any new, unfamiliar ways to get rid of water retention as gynaecologists can give the best advice according to different mothers’ respective body conditions.