Swollen Feet and Legs After C Section

Swollen Feet and Legs After C Section A C-section is performed when natural birth is not advisable. The major indications are prolonged labour, cord around the neck of the baby, a large head or abnormal position or diStress of the baby. The baby is delivered through an abdominal incision. Recovery after a C-section can take longer and swollen feet is a common occurrence. Here are the reasons why it happens and how to deal with this condition.

Is It Normal?
Many women experience swollen feet after C section and it is nothing to worry about. The body does not return to its pre-pregnancy state immediately after giving birth. It requires some time, so be patient. Many women who had minimal or no swelling of hands and feet during pregnancy also notice it after birth and especially after a C section.

Why does It Happen?

Aftermath of Pregnancy
The body produces a lot of progesterone during pregnancy and progesterone leads to salt and Water Retention. As the uterus increases in size with advancing pregnancy, it puts a lot of pressure on the blood vessels supplying the lower part of the body. As a result a lot of fluid gets accumulated in legs and feet. This extra fluid does not get absorbed immediately and it takes some time for the swelling to disappear completely.

IV Fluids
Another reason for swollen feet after C section is administration of IV fluids. These are given during C section to maintain the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. Many medications are also given mixed with IV fluids, even during normal delivery. This leads to some extra amount of fluid in the body and can be a reason for swelling.

What Can You Do to Ease It?
The best thing to do is nothing at all. Just keep calm and the swelling will eventually disappear. It may take a week to ten days for considerable reduction in this swelling. During this period the Kidneys become extra active and remove the extra fluid through urine. Don’t be alarmed if you need to pee a lot. The fluid also leaves the body through perspiration. In very few cases, the swelling does not get better automatically and some medications have to be prescribed to remove extra fluid.
That being said, there're some things you can do to speed up the recovery process.

1.Eat Right


It is very important to have a healthy and balanced diet after child birth. To ease the swelling, take a lot of proteins, complex carbohydrates and plenty of fruit and vegetables. The foods rich in potassium are also very helpful to remove excessive fluid. Avoid processed food because there is a lot of sodium in it which can lead to more fluid retention and can worsen the swelling.

2.

Keep Your Feet Elevated
Try to keep your feet elevated. Do not sit for longer periods of time with your feet dangling and place a pillow under your legs while you sleep. Keeping your hands and feet above the heart level for at least half hour a day helps to reduce the swollen hands and feet.

3. Stay Active
Taking care of the new born is not an easy job and it is a work out in itself. Being active improves the circulation and is very effective to get rid of swollen feet after C section. Do not over exhaust yourself and talk to your doctor before starting any strenuous exercise.

4. Get a Massage
Another great way to improve circulation and get rid of the excessive fluid buildup is to have a massage. Be very gentle and use some neutral oil like grape seed or olive oil. Massage in an upwards direction, starting from the feet. Massaging legs can also ease the aches and pains.

5. Dip The Feet


Though the use of aromatherapy oils is not advised for a massage, they can be added to warm water and you can soak your feet in it for a relaxing and calming effect. This can reduce the pain and discomfort and also prevent the development of Varicose veins as well as swollen feet after C section. Lavender, chamomile and cypress oil offer great results.

6.TryAcupuncture & Reflexology


The ancient Chinese technique of acupuncture is also very effective and can be tried to get rid of extra fluid. By use of reflexology and acupuncture the kidneys are stimulated to remove extra fluid and the circulation can be improved. These tried and tested techniques are also beneficial in re-balancing the body’s internal energies.

7. Drink More Fluids


Yes, you read it right. Drinking extra fluids can actually help to reduce the swelling after child birth. The extra liquids will stimulate your kidneys and more fluid will be removed. Be careful to avoid fizzy and sugary drinks and try to drink plain water or herbal teas.

Swollen Feet After Pregnancy

Swollen Feet After Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, your body will begin to retain more water than normal and because of this, it is common to experience swelling in various parts of the body such as the legs, feet and ankles. Postpartum swelling that affects your hands and feet is also known as Edema and happens if blood and fluid are trapped in your body’s tissues. In most cases this postpartum swelling will naturally decrease after you give birth. There are some things that you can do to help minimize the swelling both during pregnancy and afterwards.

Causes of Swollen Feet after Pregnancy
The swelling of the hands and feet associated with pregnancy can vary from woman to woman, ranging from extreme to mild. The swelling can lead to the skin having an appearance that is stretched, inflamed, puffy or shiny. In some cases, pressing down on the skin may result in it staying sunken in for a few seconds. In addition to affecting your hands and feet, pregnancy related swelling can also affect other areas of the body such as your legs, ankles and abdomen.

Causes
The swelling, or edema, is due to the extra water that your body retains during pregnancy. In fact, most of the weight gain that is associated with pregnancy is due to Water Retention as the extra fluid will help your tissues deal with the baby’s growth and prepare your pelvic area for safe labor.

At the later stages in pregnancy, your uterus will be enlarged and therefore exert increased pressure on the veins that provide the blood supply for your feet and legs, thereby affecting the blood flow and increasing the fluid retention. This swelling should gradually recede after you give birth because your body will be eliminating the extra fluid.

How the Swelling Recedes
This gradual decrease in swelling should happen over the course of around a week. During the process your kidneys participate in most of the elimination of excess fluids which leads to increased urination. In addition to urinating more often immediately after pregnancy, additional fluids will be excreted through your pores in the form of sweat.

When to Worry
In almost all cases postpartum swelling is nothing to be concerned about as every woman will experience it after pregnancy. It is possible, however, for complications to occur and it is important to contact your doctor if your swelling lasts for more than a week after giving birth. You should also contact your doctor if you have leg pain or bad Headaches as either can indicate high Blood Pressure. If the swelling is associated with severe pain or only on one side, you should contact your health care provider to check for Blood Clots.

How to Ease Swollen Feet after Pregnancy

Rest and proper posture	You should try to rest as much as you can, preferable with your feet higher than your hips. You should also to avoid crossing your legs. If you need to stand for a long time, try to shift your weight between feet and sit whenever possible.
Massage	Ask your significant other to gently massage your legs and feet starting at the bottom and working up. (Only do this if it is not painful for you)
Soak your feet with essential oils	You should try not to use aromatherapy essential oils during the massage but if you want, you can soak your feet in a mixture of water and the oils. Cypress oil can help with Varicose Veins and circulation while chamomile and lavender oil can reduce discomfort.
Apply cabbage leaves	Wipe cool (refrigerated, not frozen) white or green cabbage leaves on your swollen areas as this will draw out some excess fluid.
Try herbal remedy	Dandelion tea can help prevent you from retaining fluid but you should always use herbal teas in moderation and never if you have gall bladder problems.
Acupuncture	Acupuncture can help by rebalancing the internal energies as well as helping kidney function and circulation.
More remedies	When you are asleep, try putting several pillows underneath your feet to elevate them. You can also try lying down on your side to reduce swelling by increasing blood circulation. Do your best to stay cool as heat will increase the swelling. Mild exercise can also help (such as walking or swimming).

How to Prevent Swollen Feet after Pregnancy
It is not always possible to prevent your feet from becoming swollen during pregnancy but taking certain steps can decrease the severity of the swelling. This means that your legs and feet are less likely to become painful and tender.

The best way to prevent severe swelling is to consume a balanced diet which will mean you won’t gain excess weight during your pregnancy.

• To make sure that your diet is balanced, be sure to include a little bit of lean protein at each meal. Good examples include poultry, meat, eggs, legumes and beans.
• In addition, you should pay attention to your fruit and vegetable intake, aiming to consume at least 5 portions of this food group daily.
• You should also decrease your consumption of sugar, fat and salt and increase the amount of water you drink. Drinking more water will help the kidneys filter out any excess fluid.
• You should also pay attention to which foods are natural diuretics as these can help your kidneys stay healthy and allow you to urinate frequently, reducing the swelling. Some natural diuretics are citrus fruits, apples, small quantities of parsley, watercress and celery but you should always be careful not to get dehydrated.
• You can also try to eat more garlic and onion to improve your body’s circulation.
• In addition to avoiding sugar, fat and salt, you should also avoid pre-packaged or processed foods when you can as these will increase fluid retention due to their high salt and additive content.
• Instead, you should focus on foods that contain a great deal of vitamin C and vitamin E. To get vitamin C, try eating more broccoli, cabbage, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, melons, red and green peppers and citrus fruits. To increase your intake of vitamin E, eat more corn oil margarine, almonds and cashews, sweetcorn, wheat germ, sunflower seeds and vegetable oils (such as wheat germ, corn and soy).
• You should also try to quit smoking, not only for your baby’s health but also to reduce the swelling associated with pregnancy.

Swollen Feet

Swollen Feet






Excess of fluid accumulation in the feet causes swollen feet. It would rapidly increase your weight if swelling is due to Edema. This condition is different from slight swelling of feet during summer. There should not be swelling without any reason and it should not affect you persistently.

Causes :

There are many factors that trigger swelling of feet and ankles. Some of them are discussed below:
Pregnancy: Swelling of feet is quite common during pregnancy. But if it is very severe then it is indicative of high Blood Pressure. You need to consult your doctor if there is excess of swelling with Headaches, abdominal pain and nausea.

Foot injury : Any mild to moderate injury to the foot can cause swollen feet. It may be due to sprain in ankle also. Sometimes, there may be injury in the ligaments which is holding the ankle when it is stretched beyond limit.

Lymphedema : When there is excess of fluid accumulation in the lymph vessels it may cause swelling. This happens if there is problem in the lymph nodes or vessels. However, lymphedema is common for cancer patients who are undergoing radiation therapy.

Venous insufficiency : Swollen feet can be a symptom of venous insufficiency. This happens when there is inadequate supply of blood that is moving upwards from the legs to the heart. Normally, veins allow blood flow through one-way operation valves. Venous insufficiency occurs when there is any problem in the valves thus leaking the blood down into the vessels of the lower legs.

Underlying disease in the heart or liver or kidney can cause swollen feet. For some people, swelling happens in the evening indicating retention of salt and heart failure. If there is any problem in the normal functions of kidney it can also cause swollen feet. Inadequate secretion of albumin can cause liver disease which can create swelling in the ankles.

Finally, it can be due to side effects of any drugs of calcium channel blockers and antidepressant medicines. It can also be due to hormonal imbalance. Certain allergic reactions, Varicose Veins and using contraceptive pills may also cause swollen feet.

Symptoms :

Apart from swelling in the ankles or legs, there may be moderate to severe pain while walking or moving the legs. Some people will be comfortable while sitting but feel intense pain while walking or moving their legs.

Treatment :

Self Remedy : -

You can keep your legs in the elevated position (above the heart) for facilitating easy blood flow. Do small stretching exercises that help in pumping the fluids into the heart. You can also use support stockings. Avoid taking too much of salt to reduce blood pressure and swelling. Do not stand in the same position for extended hours. Do not wear tight fitting garters or clothing.

In case of minor foot injury and sprain, you can use ice packs or wrap the foot with compressions.

Pictures of Swollen Feet :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Swollen Feet

Medical Care :-

Your doctor will first identify the underlying cause of swelling in the feet before giving treatment. Swollen feet caused by Phlebitis can be set right by giving anticoagulant drugs. He will suggest you to wear support stockings if your problem is due to venous insufficiency. If swelling is due to edema, you will be put on diuretic drugs for increasing the output of urine.

Doing exercise and physiotherapy can help the person to overcome various causes of swelling. Walking is the best exercise to avoid swollen ankles. It AIDS in free flow of blood and restores lymphatic function. Toning and stretching exercise are recommended for managing fluid retention.

Swollen Feet – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Remedies, during Pregnancy

Swollen Feet – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Remedies, during Pregnancy

Swollen Feet Symptoms

In the beginning the legs and feet normally appear swollen as the day goes by but after some time, the swelling will begin first thing in the morning and will go on to worsen during the day. Edema that is long term will cause pitting – when you press on the area that is swollen for several seconds, an indentation will be noticed in the area. Swelling that is continued can result in ulcerated skin.

Other symptoms can develop over time and these consist of:

• Headaches


• High Blood Pressure


• Urination increases


• Swollen hands or/and wrists


• Palpitations


• Weight gain


• Puffy eyes


• Easy bruising or bleeding


• Foamy or brownish urine


• Purplish or enlarged vein in leg


• Fatigue


• Lack of ability to bear weight


• Joint defect


• Numbness or tingling


• Unable to point forefoot and toes down


• Tenderness, aching or pain in affected area


• Stiff or limited movement

Swollen Feet Causes

This swelling is created by the buildup of fluid in muscle tissues. The pull of gravity draws the fluid to the ankles and feet, creating this swelling.
Swelling may also happen because of medical conditions which are serious and involve the heart, liver, blood vessels, or kidney. Other causes of swelling consist of:

You're reading Swollen Feet – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Remedies, during Pregnancy posted by minhhai2d, the information is for reference only.

• Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills


• Eating a diet that is poor and high in carbohydrates and salt


• PMS


• Pregnancy


• Retention of sodium


• Varicose Veins


• Allergies


• Muscle injury


• Phlebitis history


• Trauma


• Neuromuscular problems


• Laxative abuse


• Drug abuse


• Diuretics abuse

Swollen Feet During Pregnancy

During pregnancy there can occur excessive swelling in the hands, face and especially the feet. Swelling of the feet is normal but sudden swelling in the hands and face could indicate a problem known as Eclampsia">Preeclampsia that occurs in some pregnant women. This is a condition occurring when the mother has high blood pressure and where the growing baby may not be receiving enough blood flow.

Preeclampsia is also medically referred to as toxemia. This is one of the reasons that women who are pregnant need to have regular pre-natal visits with regular urine and blood pressure tests.

Swollen Feet Treatment

The treatment of swollen feet will depend on the reason for the swelling. But the hallmark of any treatment is to reduce the amount of swelling and the first option is to leg elevate above the level of the heart putting minimal pressure of the backs of the thighs and the knees as well as the lower back. Often merely sitting in a chair and reclining while watching television is a perfect way to elevate the legs.

There are also many different products for use at work or home which can help reduce swelling.

Some of the AIDS consist of:

• Leg wedges that elevate the feet while in bed


• Support stockings and socks – both custom made or over the counter


• Socks and shoes that fit properly. Shoes shopping needs to be done in the afternoon to get the best fit.

Other ways to help swelling to decrease include:

• When walking increase muscle activity


• Do not stand in place for long time periods


• Do not sit with the feet dependent


• Limit the intake of salt


• Do not abuse laxatives


• Do not abuse diuretics


• Drink lots of water – 8 glasses or more each day

Remedies and Prevention

• Exercise, particularly leg exercises can increase the circulation of blood in the legs and also help to remove some of the fluid that has accumulated in the feet.


• Reducing any excess weight can help with making circulation better


• Low salt diets will take care of fluid retention


• Sitting or standing in one position for too long a period of time needs to be avoided and stopping to take a stretch break whether at work, home or school is advised.


• Walking is the best exercise.


• For instant relief dip the feet into a container of ice cold water or keep the feet under a tap of cold water.


• Take drink cans that are ice cold from the refrigerator and roll the cans over the feet.


• Place the feet on a couple of pillows and rest for approximately 20 minutes.


• Massaging feet with peppermint oils as well as fragrant oils from herbs will improve circulation


• Roll a tennis ball under the feet for 3 to 4 minutes to exercise the feet


• Take 2 buckets of ice-cold and hot water. Soak the feet first in the hot water bucket for about 10 minutes then quickly switch to the ice cold water bucket. Repeat several times a day.


• Mix 2 teaspoons of castor or jojoba, 3 drops of lavender oil, 1 drop each of geranium oil and German chamomile oil in a bowl and use it to massage into the feet. Then elevate the feet for sometime. Wash the feet with soap and apply nourishing cream


• Massage ginger oil for the reduction of swelling. It will not only alleviate aches or pain but will also improve circulation.