Table of contents:
- Why are the fingers swollen during pregnancy?
- How to deal with swollen fingers during pregnancy
- 1. Adjust your diet
- 2. Keeps the body hydrated
- 3. Sleep on your left
- 4. Using a warm compress
Pregnancy provides many changes to the body. One of them makes your fingers swell due to increased production of blood and body fluids. Although it's natural, swollen fingers during pregnancy can cause an uncomfortable sensation.
Why are the fingers swollen during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your body produces more blood and body fluids to meet the needs of the developing fetus. Excess fluid can build up in some parts of the body, causing swelling called edema.
Edema usually gets worse as the womb gets older. The reason is, the development of the fetus makes the uterus grow bigger. The uterus also presses on the blood vessels and blocks the blood that should flow from the legs to the heart.
In addition, the hormones in your body also make the muscles of the blood vessels softer. This prevents the blood from flowing back to the heart optimally. Blood and its fluid components also accumulate on the hands, feet, face and fingers.
How to deal with swollen fingers during pregnancy
Swollen fingers can cause discomfort, maybe even interfere with daily activities. Here are some easy tips to fix it:
1. Adjust your diet
Swelling of the fingers can get worse if you lack potassium, eat high-salt foods frequently, and consume caffeine. Therefore, you need to adjust your diet in the following ways:
- Increase your potassium intake from bananas, melons, oranges, dried fruits, mushrooms, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and nuts.
- Increase the consumption of natural foods and limit processed foods that are high in salt
- Limit caffeine intake
- Eat natural diuretic foods (triggers the secretion of body fluids) such as celery, ginger, and parsley
2. Keeps the body hydrated
Drinking lots of water actually helps you deal with swollen fingers during pregnancy. This is because water is able to attract excess fluid that has accumulated in your body, then excretes it with urine.
You can also take advantage of the water by soaking, swimming, or simply standing in a shallow pool. The water around you will exert a compressive force on the tissues of the body, thereby expelling the fluid that has accumulated in them.
3. Sleep on your left
Sleeping on your left will reduce the pressure on the inferior vena cava. These vessels function to drain blood containing carbon dioxide from the lower part of the body to the heart.
Lying on your left side during pregnancy can also reduce the burden on your stomach. If the inferior vena cava is free from pressure, blood will flow more smoothly toward the heart. The accumulated fluid decreases and the fingers no longer swell.
4. Using a warm compress
Warm compresses are very useful for dealing with swollen fingers during pregnancy. Heat can improve blood circulation around the compressed area. That way, blood flow to the heart becomes smoother.
You can use heating pad or a towel that has been moistened with warm water. Place it on the swollen finger for 20 minutes. Do not exceed this duration to avoid the risk of burns.
Fingers that are swollen during pregnancy are very common and will start to diminish after delivery. However, be aware if the swelling occurs suddenly and is accompanied by headaches, vision problems, and vomiting.
This is a symptom of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage. If you experience these symptoms, immediately consult a gynecologist for treatment.
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