Edema in the third trimester: Will proper nutrition help?
Edema, swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues, is the norm during pregnancy. It occurs in eight out of 10 women [1]. All pregnant women experience edema, but it’s more pronounced in some than others. Edema is common during pregnancy because the body now produces about 50% more blood and body fluids. Firstly, this fluid production is necessary to meet the growing needs of the child. And secondly, this is a way to gently stretch the skin, adapting your body to rapidly changing sizes. Extra fluids account for approximately 25% of the weight you gain during pregnancy.
Your hands and face may swell slightly. Edema is most noticeable in the legs and feet. Legs particularly are susceptible to edema in the last trimester because the fluid drains down due to gravity and because the enlarged uterus presses on the iliac veins, preventing the normal outflow of blood [2]. If your blood pressure is normal, and the swelling did not form abruptly or suddenly, then there is no reason for concern.
It is necessary to adhere to a healthy diet in order to avoid pathological edema and the development of preeclampsia. Oddly enough, a salt-free diet is useless in this regard [3]. Much more effective [4] is eating leafy green vegetables daily, eating a healthy amount of legumes weekly, and consuming a moderate amount of low-fat meat or poultry. A balanced diet with a lot of fiber normalizes metabolic processes and helps maintain electrolyte balance.
And it’s more important than ever for you to stay hydrated. You began to eat more, which means you need to drink more water!
