Why does my foot size change during pregnancy? Should I expect my feet to increase in size after childbirth? Can my feet grow after childbirth?

Why can a woman's legs bother her after childbirth?

After the baby is born, every mother needs time to restore the entire body system. This process is different for everyone.

According to statistics, about 80% of young mothers during the first few months may encounter one of the most common problems - the appearance of swelling after childbirth, which is clearly visible on the face, figure, and the size of the legs may even increase. The greatest load falls, of course, on the legs and hip area.

First of all, the woman needs to calm down and, with the help of specialists, understand this situation. Doctors will tell you why postpartum edema may occur and what to do about it.

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Why do women's legs hurt after childbirth?

Such natural processes as pregnancy and childbirth force a girl to withstand unrealistic loads that bring her to complete exhaustion (pain, stress, internal and external tears and fatigue).

In addition, in the very first days after the birth of the baby it is very difficult to move, as the legs become flabby, sometimes they even go numb.

What are the causes of aching pain? Why do mothers experience such discomfort?

The simplest explanation may be that during the process of childbirth, a woman’s muscle tissues of the pelvis, spine, and pubic ligaments are stretched (this does not apply to those who have had a caesarean section).

In the future, this leads to unbearable pain in the lumbar region, which then gradually spreads to the legs and feet.

Some mothers associate pain in their legs with the kilograms they have gained (10-15 kg or more).

A more serious cause of leg pain may be varicose veins. This suggests that even during pregnancy, the volume of circulating blood increases, and also more and more pressure is created from the uterus, which is constantly growing, on the veins (they become wider and longer).

Thus, the body’s vessels are not able to cope with such a load, which contributes to blood stagnation in the lower part of the legs. Specialized stores sell special stockings to ensure that the veins remain in their previous condition.

Stockings can prevent illness only if the girl puts them on her legs in the morning, when pain and swelling have not yet reached their maximum level.

When the first signs of pain in your legs appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Otherwise, the girl cannot avoid the further development of a dangerous disease called thrombophlebitis.

Some mothers also encounter other consequences of pain - cramps. Their occurrence is directly related to calcium deficiency in the girl’s body. Mommy herself can provoke this condition by the following actions:

frequent consumption of drinks containing caffeine;
improper diet;
the girl consumes few foods that contain sufficient amounts of iron (this can lead to anemia).

Swelling in the legs after childbirth: features, causes and treatment

First of all, edema can occur due to the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the human body. An accomplished mother can independently determine whether there is swelling or not.

To do this, you need to press your finger on the swelling; if there is an undesirable symptom, a small hole appears. All girls may experience completely different degrees of swelling severity.

It happens that this condition leads to breast pain, dryness and sensitivity of the nipples develops. This causes discomfort when feeding a newborn.

Edema can occur for the following reasons:

drinking plenty of water before and after childbirth;
accumulation of sodium salts in the body;
disease of the kidneys and urinary system (another symptom is dryness);
diseases of the human cardiovascular system (swelling, cramps, red spots on the body);
physical stress on the legs (they twist and ache);
changes in hormonal levels;
iron deficiency in the blood (development of hypothyroidism);
uterine pressure provokes blockage of blood outflow from the lower extremities;
presence of venous insufficiency;
abuse of fried, fatty, salty and spicy foods;
side effects due to intravenous infusions of drugs;
presence of infection.

All problems that arise can be easily solved if you contact specialists in time, who will tell you what to do.

If the doctor, after a thorough examination, determines that the swelling is not associated with any pathology, then general recommendations will help:

you need to walk in the fresh air as much as possible, while walking improves the movement of blood through the vessels;
experts advise avoiding prolonged periods of standing and sitting;
when resting, it is better to raise your legs up so that they are higher than the level of your head;
limit salt intake.

The most important thing is that you should never use laxatives or diuretics without a doctor’s prescription. This can lead to dehydration and cause even more harm.

There is also medical treatment with drugs for swelling and pain. Their application is as follows:

if pathology of the circulatory or genitourinary systems is detected, special therapy is prescribed for at least one month;
in case of advanced disease of varicose veins, the course of treatment is prescribed for six months or even more;
if there are genital infections or swelling of the vagina, then you cannot do without antibiotics;
Mothers are often advised to take special vitamins to maintain the normal state of the entire body.

If you correctly determine the causes of postpartum edema, this will help the woman recover faster and return to normal.

Causes and consequences of dilated veins in the legs after childbirth

Varicose veins most often appear in the last months of pregnancy, as well as after childbirth. This is facilitated by many factors: changes in hormonal parameters in the body system, the formation of more viscous blood, a decrease in the tone of the vascular walls and other reasons.

The main factors that cause mommy to have pain in her leg joints after childbirth include the following reasons:

heredity (is the most common factor);
decreased activity of the musculoskeletal system;
poor nutrition;
quickly gained weight (more than 18 kg);
physical stress on the back and legs (they begin to hurt a lot);
external factors: too hot weather;
fetal pressure on the veins of the lower body, etc.

It is worth remembering that advanced degrees of chronic venous insufficiency may serve as a contraindication to pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of all precautions in advance.

What to do and who to contact if illness occurs? It's no longer a secret that bandages have been replaced by comfortable, stylish and beautiful stockings or tights that need to be worn throughout the day (this is the only way to achieve the desired effect). This will help improve blood circulation in the legs, reduce swelling and prevent the development of bruises on the legs after childbirth.

Strengthening the walls of blood vessels, reducing their permeability and relieving general inflammation can be achieved with the help of medications. Only a doctor specializing in this can give the correct prescriptions, since not all medications can be used by nursing mothers.

If necessary, doctors also advise using blood thinning medications and those that improve microcirculation.

We should not forget that with the appearance of initial signs of varicose veins after childbirth, it is necessary to consult a doctor such as a phlebologist in time.

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More radical methods of treatment: the method of electrocoagulation (impact of electric current pulses on the walls of blood vessels) and surgery (the operation is performed to ligate or partially remove a vein).

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Source: https://yaposlerodov.ru/vneshnost/sostoyanie-nog-posle-rodov.html

Your body is swelling

Water retention during pregnancy can cause swelling and contribute to changes in leg size and shape. Your feet, toes, fingers, and palms swell from time to time. With each week of pregnancy, the uterus gradually grows, muscle fibers stretch, pressure on the veins interrupts blood circulation and prevents blood from returning from the lower extremities to the heart, causing swelling.

Sometimes swelling is caused by low protein in your diet or low hemoglobin levels. This harmless condition will go away in most cases when you keep your legs elevated for a certain amount of time or drink enough water. Drink as much fluid as possible - this is the only way to flush out the water that has stagnated in your feet. Sometimes it is very difficult to deal with swelling of the limbs during pregnancy, but everything disappears immediately after childbirth.

Pregnancy sizes

In the middle of pregnancy, the expectant mother is surprised to discover that not only her stomach is increasing, but also the size of her legs. What is the reason for this and will the previous size return after childbirth?

More and more

Of course, first of all, changes in size (and not just legs) are associated with an increase in your weight during pregnancy. First of all, “extra” kilograms appear on the arms, hips, chest and waist.

Due to natural weight gain, the center of gravity shifts forward, which causes a redistribution of the load on the legs and an increase in pressure on the feet.

The arch of the foot flattens under the influence of increased weight, resulting in the old shoes becoming tight.

Another reason for the increase in the size of the limbs is swelling, due to which both rings and shoes suddenly become small.

As a rule, it is enough to start following a salt-free diet, get more rest and wear the right shoes. But there is another reason that is worth knowing about.

Objective reasons

Body changes during pregnancy occur due to weakening of joints and ligaments, which is caused by active production of the hormone relaxin .

During pregnancy, the production of the hormone relaxin increases every month. Its level begins to increase from the 10th week of pregnancy, reaches its peak in the middle of the term and decreases to its normal values 3-4 weeks after birth.

It is relaxin that causes softening of joints and ligaments, primarily in the pelvic joint. Thanks to this process, immediately before childbirth, the pelvic bones diverge, the cervix softens and opens, which facilitates the passage of the child through the birth canal.

Changes in everything

So, the hormone relaxin affects the joints and ligaments of the expectant mother, making them soft and elastic. And causes changes in a woman’s body. Which ones?

Foot. Under the influence of relaxin, the ligaments weaken and the bones move apart, and the leg becomes wider and longer. This is why most expectant mothers suddenly experience an increase in foot size. As a rule, after childbirth the bones do not close back. And most likely you will have to change all your shoes to new ones. But there are also frequent cases of the leg returning to its previous size.

Hips. The pelvic bones undergo major changes immediately before and during childbirth. But even during pregnancy, under the influence of the hormone relaxin, both cartilage and bones soften. A woman, as they say, gives out in her hips. After giving birth, a woman can lose enough weight to fit into her “pre-pregnancy” jeans again, but her hips will remain wide.

Spine. As the child develops, the spine slowly bends back, freeing up space in the pelvis for the growing baby.

Due to excessively mobile and softened joints of the spine, both posture and gait change. This is why it is so important to wear a bandage for a certain period of time.

In addition, incorrect posture and slouching also affect the appearance of the breasts - they look saggy.

Back. During pregnancy it also becomes wider. This occurs due to fat deposits on the back and shoulder girdle, and due to the enlargement of the mammary glands. This increases the girth of not only the chest, but also under the chest.

Useful tips

Since the hormone relaxin makes our bones and joints vulnerable during pregnancy, to avoid troubles, you should remember some simple rules.

Wear low-heeled shoes to avoid twisting your ankle and avoid painful sprains.
Choose shoes according to your current size. Don't try to fit into "pre-pregnancy" boots. Tight shoes lead to poor blood circulation and ingrown toenails. It is better to buy inexpensive shoes during pregnancy, but in which your feet will be comfortable.
From the second half of pregnancy (check specific dates with your doctor) wear a bandage. Your gynecologist will also tell you which one (belt or panties) is right for you.
Wear a special bra. Firstly, it must be of the appropriate size, and secondly, with a wide part under the chest so as not to cut into the skin. Like a bandage, its function is supportive. Both the bra and the bandage help the spine carry its load.
And, of course, do not despair at the sight of new changes in your body.

You may be interested in the article “Pregnancy: month by month” and “Two sides of the same pregnancy” on the website 9months.ru

Source: https://mamaexpert.ru/article/razmery-pri-beremennosti

Should you expect your feet to increase in size after childbirth - Mom ABC

After the baby is born, every mother needs time to restore the entire body system. This process is different for everyone.

First of all, the woman needs to calm down and, with the help of specialists, understand this situation. Doctors will tell you why postpartum edema may occur and what to do about it.

The safest way to lose weight after pregnancy!

The stomach will be drawn in, the sides will go away, and the weight will actually drop. The famous Purple Tea “Chang-Shu”, which contains only natural ingredients, no harm to mother and child...

Read more

What else changes in a woman’s body after childbirth?

After the birth of a child, not only does a woman’s self-awareness and thinking change, but the young mother’s body also undergoes a visual transformation. There are several main changes that concern most women who become mothers.

Sagging belly . After childbirth, mothers notice an almost complete absence of abdominal muscles. All this is initially due to the fact that the uterus has not yet reached its normal size; only by the sixth week after the birth of the child should the abdomen acquire a normal shape. If a woman and after

Swelling of the legs after childbirth - what to do if the size of the legs has increased after the birth of the child

During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body, weight increases, so swelling of the legs after childbirth can be considered a normal condition. But what if after childbirth they remain or even increase?

The presence of edema is easy to determine. If, when pressing on the skin, a depression remains, this indicates the accumulation and retention of excess fluid in the tissue. With swelling, cramps are possible, heaviness in the calf muscles may be felt, and the size of the leg may increase.

The main causes of swelling of the legs after childbirth

Failure to adhere to daily routine and proper nutrition. A rather banal reason, but it is extreme fatigue, eating junk food and not following a diet that contribute to heaviness in the legs and the appearance of swelling after childbirth.
Vascular disease.
Swelling may appear due to varicose veins. At the same time, not only heaviness in the legs and swelling are felt. Muscle cramps may occur, and you also need to pay attention to the presence of spider veins. These signs indicate varicose veins.
Kidney disease.
In this case, usually, both legs swell evenly, the disease occurs without itching or fever. Additional symptoms include the appearance of dark circles under the eyes and changes in the color of urine.
The causes of swelling of the legs can also be cardiovascular diseases, intestinal diseases, problems with the thyroid gland, heredity, etc.

Preventing leg swelling

Too fatty and salty foods and carbonated water should be excluded from the diet. It is necessary to balance your diet and eat natural foods. It is recommended to consume more viburnum, cranberries, lemon, grapefruit, tomatoes, and grapes. That is, those products that help thin the blood.
A young mother should try to avoid overwork and allow the body to recover. You need to rest with your feet above your hips. If you need to stand for a long time, you should periodically stand on your toes.
It is recommended to massage the feet and also use foot baths.

Basic methods of treating swelling of the legs

If you notice swelling of the legs after childbirth and an increase in their size, you should seek advice from a doctor who treats venous diseases - a phlebologist. Only in this way can the true causes of the disease be established and complications avoided. You may need consultations with a therapist, cardiologist and other specialized specialists.

Drug treatment

Modern medicine offers various treatment methods, where surgery is used in very rare, complex cases of the disease. Therefore, you should not ignore consultation with a specialist. The doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment, massage, wearing compression stockings, and also advise on methods for preventing leg swelling.

Home treatment

The size of my leg has increased after childbirth, but there is no way to visit a doctor. What to do in this situation? There are many ways to help yourself at home.

For example, you can massage your feet with pieces of ice from a herbal decoction. Sage, yarrow, and eucalyptus are suitable for preparing a decoction.

By doing simple exercises at home, you can restore blood circulation and relieve fatigue and heaviness in your legs. Rotating your feet in different directions and standing on your toes are effective. You can pick up a pencil from the floor with your toes.

A contrast shower will help with swelling. In this case, you need to finish the procedure with cold water, then rub your feet well with a towel and lubricate with cream.

It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and, when sitting, take correct postures without crossing your legs.

Traditional treatment

To reduce swelling of the legs after childbirth, many people use various traditional methods of treatment. They can be a useful adjunct to occupational therapy. It should be remembered that they do not cure the disease, but help to stop or prevent it.

To relieve swelling of the legs, you can use warm baths with sea salt or decoctions of medicinal herbs. Melissa, nettle, oregano, and chamomile are also used for this procedure; they tone the blood vessels of the legs as much as possible. Decoctions of birch leaves, burdock, and nettle will help relieve fatigue. After the bath, it is advisable to rub your feet with a hard terry towel and lubricate them with nourishing cream.

An effective treatment would be to undergo a course of treatment by taking decoctions of diuretic herbs, for example, horsetail, corn silk, and birch buds.

The causes of swelling of the legs after childbirth can be different and it is not always as harmless as it seems. Swelling can be the first sign of diseases and complications, so you should pay close attention to your health and consult a doctor.

about what you can eat when you have swelling

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Source: https://moirody.ru/posle/oteki-nog-posle-rodov.html