Many pregnant women experience low BP and this
is what causes the dizzy feeling or feelings of
faintness - particularly if you stand in one spot
for longer periods (e.g. standing in a bank queue).
If you find yourself stuck in such situations and
start to feel faint, you should shift your weight
from foot to foot or sit with your head between
your knees. Looking silly should be the least of
your worries. Just do what has to be done to get
over that lousy feeling.
I have been noticing some swelling in my
hands and feet of late. What causes this and how
do I minimize it?
Edema occurs during a normal pregnancy for 2 reasons:
the growing uterus places pressure on the veins
carrying blood back from the lower extremities forcing
water into tissues around your feet and ankles;
and the increased levels of progesterone in your
body encourages fluid retention. You will recognize
fluid retention at the sight of swollen feet and
puffy fingers. Here are tips with coping with edema:
• Lying on your side will help reduce fluid
retention by allowing gravity to pull fluid from
your tissues back into your bloodstream so that
it can be flushed out through your kidneys. If you
can't lie down, then sit with your feet up
• Warm (not hot) baths can help reduce swelling
• Avoid diuretics (water pills). Not only
are they ineffective, they also affect your body's
fluid balance and can be dangerous during pregnancy
• Increase your fluid intake and this can,
believe it or not, have a diuretic effect and help
reduce water retention and swelling
• Watch your salt intake but don't eliminate
it from your diet entirely. Salt is necessary to
maintain normal fluid balance
•
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