Why do my legs swell?
Swelling of the feet and ankles during pregnancy is common. There may be several reasons, such as an increase in the level of progesterone, which slows down digestion, or an increase in the volume of fluid in the body [1]. The uterus and growing baby will also slow the return of blood flow from the legs and arms back to the heart [2], so sometimes your arms and legs will look a little swollen at the end of the day.
If the swelling suddenly becomes more severe, and accompanied with a headache and pain just below the ribs, blurred vision or vomiting, you should see a doctor immediately. Together with high blood pressure and protein in the urine, these symptoms may indicate preeclampsia [3].
How to reduce swelling?
If you have no kidney problems and the swelling of the extremities occurs mostly commonly at the end of the day there is no need to treat. In fact, you should not restrict fluid intake — it only aggravates the condition. Massage, physical activity, and anything that improves lymph flow will help reduce swelling in the arms and legs at the end of the day [4].
