Swelling or puffiness of fingers and hands is often seen during pregnancy. You can easily make out the extent of swelling with the help of your finger ring. While swelling is generally not a cause of concern, sometimes hand swelling during pregnancy can be indicative of some serious problem and may need medical attention.
In this article we will talk about what is hand swelling, what are the causes, important conditions that need medical intervention and finally we will end the article with some interesting tips to prevent hand swelling during pregnancy.
In This Article
- What Are Swollen Hands During Pregnancy?
- What Causes Swollen Hands During Pregnancy?
- When is Swelling Indicative of a Medical Intervention?
- List of Top 11 Tips to Prevent Swollen Hands During Pregnancy
- FAQ’s
What Are Swollen Hands During Pregnancy?
Swelling in the hands is generally caused by fluid buildup in the body, and is also known as edema. If swollen hands become painful, keep them raised for a few minutes every day. This is amazing as it reduces pain and swelling immediately, however, for lasting results you will have to follow dietary remedies too.
What Causes Swollen Hands During Pregnancy?
Fluid retention increases during pregnancy, owing to the excess blood that a woman’s body produces to meet the growing demands of the fetus. In fact, the volume grows up by around 50 percent – that means more blood and other vital body fluids for the proper growth and development of the baby. The surplus fluid fills the tissue spaces of your hands, ankles, and legs. These fluids soften the body, opening the joints and tissues so as to ease your delivery. The swelling is more pronounced from the fifth month onwards, lasting through the third trimester.
Swelling is also influenced by gravitational force. It helps the fluid build up at the lowest points of your body, such as ankles, fingers, etc.
[Read: 5 Tips To Minimize Water Retention During Pregnancy]
When is Swelling Indicative of a Medical Intervention?
Mild swelling around ankles, face or fingers is normal during pregnancy. However, medical intervention is required if the following conditions are noticed:
- If swelling is confined to one leg and redness, tenderness, and lumps are noted in the calf.
- The swelling is more in the hands and wrists. This can be an indication of carpal tunnel syndrome where the nerves of the arm are compressed by the swelling.
- Pregnancy swelling often becomes worse a few days prior to the onset of labor pains. The swelling usually subsides after birth. The body expels all the extra tissues, fluid, and blood vessels that were required for the proper development of your baby. After birth, they are of no use and so are eliminated from your body.
- A common symptom that you experience with subsiding swelling is excessive urination.
- Consult your doctor if you notice sudden or more than slight swelling in your hands, which could be a sign of preeclampsia.
[Read: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy]
List of Top 11 Tips to Prevent Swollen Hands During Pregnancy
There are a few tips for preventing swelling from becoming intense. The fingers and joints become tender and painful if the swelling becomes severe.
1. Diet
Eat a balanced and healthy diet to ensure you get the proper amount of vital nutrients. Make sure to add lean protein. Poultry, meat, beans, eggs, and pulses are loaded with lean protein.
2. Fruits and Green Vegetables
Increase fruit and vegetable intake and make sure you take around five to six portions every day.
3. Cut Down on Salt
Salt intake increases fluid retention. Therefore, reduce its intake to encourage the reduction of swelling. Foods enriched in potassium such as bananas can be effective in reducing swelling.
4. Increase Water Intake
Drink plenty of water around 12-14 glasses per day. Water aids the kidneys in filtering excess fluids out of your body.
[Read: How Much Water Should I Drink During Pregnancy?]
5. Cut Down on Packaged Foods
Highly processed, pre-packaged foods have a lot of preservatives and salt and both are extremely harmful for fluid retention as they make matters worse.
6. Say ‘Yes’ to Vitamin C and E
Eat foods rich in vitamin E and vitamin C as they are beneficial in reducing fluid retention. Some rich sources of vitamin E are Wheat germ oil, vegetable oil, sweet corn, sunflower oil, cashews, almonds, margarine and corn oil. Foods rich in vitamin C are green and red peppers, citrus fruits, potatoes, melons, tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries, broccoli, etc.
7. Rest
Rest is a very important factor in expediting the process of swelling reduction. Unwinding not only rejuvenates your exasperated existence, but also helps in mitigating swelling.
8. Massage
Massaging is also helpful in reducing swelling. You can ask your partner to give you a gentle massage. Gentle massage increases blood circulation and helps in eliminating toxins from your body. Massaging gently with olive or mustard oil is helpful in easing the pain. Cold compress is also effective in relieving pain.
9. Say ‘No’ to Aromatherapy
Aromatic oil massages are not safe for pregnant women. So, avoid aromatic essential oils, though, you can add a few drops in a bowl and soak your hands and feet in it for a few minutes. Lavender oil, camomile oil, and cypress oil are good in reducing swelling and associated discomfort.
10. Place Green or White Cabbage
Keep a few white or green cabbage leaves on the swollen region and extracts excess fluid from your body.
11. Dandelion Tea
This is an amazing herbal remedy for preventing fluid retention. But you should avoid it in case you have any gall bladder ailment. Do not drink it in excess one or two cups is sufficient.
Do not panic! Swollen hands and fingers is a transient condition and will pass by as the baby is born. Once the fluid goes out of the body, your hands will again be svelte and you can use them to love and caress your baby.
Read Also: Feet Swelling During Pregnancy
FAQ’s
1. Does Drinking Water Reduce Swelling During Pregnancy?
Keep yourself hydrated. While it may seem contradictory, drinking extra water may help minimize swelling. If you aren’t getting enough water, your body will hang on to what it has in an effort to make up the difference, which may lead to edema. Being well-hydrated decreases the amount of fluid your body stores in tissues.
2. Can High Blood Pressure Cause Swollen Hands During Pregnancy?
High blood pressure may harm the tiny blood arteries in your kidneys, causing them to malfunction. This may result in a variety of symptoms, including swollen hands (due to water retention). Preeclampsia, a pregnancy condition characterized by high blood pressure, also causes swelling in the legs, feet, and hands of pregnant women. Its severity might vary from minor to severe.
3. Can Dehydration Cause Swollen Hands During Pregnancy?
Yes. One thing that a lot of people aren’t aware of is the fact that being dehydrated may lead to fluid retention. Edema develops when fluid seeps out of the body’s capillaries. In response, the kidneys begin to store more salt and water. Swelling occurs as a result of fluid accumulation in the tissues around the affected area.
