10 Natural Ways To Reduce Swelling in Pregnancy

Swelling is a normal part of pregnancy. To accommodate for your expanding body, you produce additional blood and fluid. Swelling, or edema, is one of a plethora of symptoms many pregnant women experience. It’s caused by increased pressure in your veins and water retention and is exacerbated by hot weather and fatigue. Having a fit and healthy pregnancy with a nutritious diet free of processed, high-sodium foods and a daily exercise routine will be your best bet in preventing swelling.

These are some things that you can do to help combat swelling in pregnancy. While they may not totally eliminate the issue, these suggestions can drastically reduce the amount of swelling you have. Here are some useful natural ways to reduce pregnancy swelling and discomfort without medication that will have you feeling better fast. If you’re swelling because of pregnancy, it should go down not long after you deliver. Talk to your doctor to see what could be causing your swelling.

How To Control Pregnancy Swelling Naturally

1. Do a Little Yoga: Exercise can help improve your circulation, and yoga is a great way to get moving and really focus on that circulatory system.
2. Adding just a dash of pure lemon juice (not from concentrate) to your water not only helps flavor your water, but can help reduce swelling. Lemon juice is a mild and safe diuretic that will help your system rid itself of excess water. This was the number one method that worked for my swelling during pregnancy.
3. Salt makes your body retain water which can certainly contribute to the swelling you are experiencing. One of the easiest ways to help reduce swelling in pregnancy is to put down the salt shaker. This can be a very difficult to break. Oftentimes you don’t realize how much you are addicted to the taste of salt until you try to give it up.
4. Soak in Warm Water: If your feet tend to get swollen at the end of the day, try giving them a soak in warm water. Alternatively, fill up the bathtub and enjoy a full-body soak that can be relaxing as it relieves swelling. Adding a cup of Epsom salt to your warm water can further enhance your soak while alleviating the discomfort of swelling.
5. Grab Some Grapefruit Essential Oil: A warm bath can also help with swelling, and you can give that water a boost with a few drops of grapefruit essential oil! You can also just fill a bucket with nice, warm water to soak in. If baths aren’t your thing, you can also mix a few drops of grapefruit oil with a carrier oil like olive or sweet almond oil and give yourself a little foot and leg massage. As you rub your feet, ankles, and calves, focus your pressure upward, rather than downward or in a circular motion.
6. Drinking water will help to reduce the puffiness and swelling you are experiencing. Water is the best choice of beverage when you are trying to reduce swelling because it doesn’t contain any sodium while sodas and other beverages do.
7. Cabbage Leaf: Wrapping a cabbage leaf around the swollen area for 20 minutes can draw out excess fluid and reduce swelling.
8. Dandelion Tea: Dandelion is a good source of phytochemicals that encourage the elimination of excess fluid. Dandelion tea was recommended by my midwife and although it didn’t work that well for me, I’ve heard of others having great success with it. You can drink a cup of dandelion tea 2-3 times a day to relieve swelling.
9. Eat foods high in potassium such as bananas to minimize swelling while pregnant. Potassium works to keep the body’s water levels balanced.
10. Make a Splash: Swimming or even floating in water can help with swollen feet and ankles. The pressure from the water can help get things moving in your legs, and floating gives your circulatory system a break from gravity’s constant pull. If you don’t have a pool, check out local gyms to see what they offer.

Swelling in pregnancy is a frustrating symptom to deal with. These are some things you can do to combat it. Have you guys found any natural remedies that help with swollen feet and ankles? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks in the comments!