Edema (Swelling) during Pregnancy

by Patricia Hughes

pregnancy women thinking about her pregnancy

Approximately 75 percent of all pregnant women experience some swelling during pregnancy. For the majority of these women, this is mild edema. The swelling generally occurs in the extremities, such as the feet, legs and hands. Swelling in the face can occur as well. this mild edema is most common in the third trimester.

Causes of Edema in Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by about 50 percent. Your body is producing and retaining more fluids when you are pregnant. This can result in fluid retention, which results in swelling.

As your baby grows, more pressure is put on the veins in your legs. The vena cava is the large vein that returns blood to the heart from the limbs. The pressure on the vena cava from the growing uterus slows the flow of blood and this can result in swelling of the feet and legs.

Treating Edema

One way to relieve the swelling is to relieve the pressure on the veins.

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Second Trimester of Pregnancy

by Jennifer Shakeel

Welcome to Your Second Trimester!

pregnant women in her second trimester As hard as it may be to believe you are now entering the most exciting phase of pregnancy, at least as far as I am concerned. Of course I enjoy being pregnant until the end of the seventh month and then after that I am tired of being pregnant and want the baby. While a pregnancy is suppose to be 40 weeks long, many last about 35 at the longest.

Anyway, during the second trimester of pregnancy it is time to take a look at what you have to expect. Week by Week things are certainly changing. We are going to go month by month again and let you know about the magic that is happening inside of you and then end with what you are feeling. Hopefully the morning sickness has subsided for you, and that you are getting that burst of energy they say you are suppose to get in the second trimester.

Importance of Creating a Labor Plan

Creating a labor plan is very important in planning a pregnancy

by Jennifer Shakeel

You have turned the bend and heading for the home stretch. You have bought the adorable little onesies for the baby, maybe you have even purchased the car seat and the coming home outfit. Counting down the days until your blessed little one comes into the world. Have you taken the time though to come up your labor plan, I don’t mean what you are going to do during labor.

Relax, don’t stress… so you haven’t thought about it or don’t even know what a labor plan is. As I sit here going over my labor plan that I am hoping to kick into action any day now I am going to help you out. First things first, if you are married, does you husband work close to home or farther away? This is key. If you are at home and you go into labor, is there time for your husband to get home to take you or are you calling 911?

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Tags: Childbirth, labor plan

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