The best thing I've found for swelling in the feet and legs? Swimming

[netmouse]

I was looking at a pregnancy magazine the other day and noticed that they sell all kinds of products for swelling in the feet and legs related to pregnancy. Yet none of the ads or articles I saw mentioned the best treatment I have found for the condition. They mention resting with your feet elevated above your heart, and sure, I have taken to sleeping like that, and they mention compression socks or tights, and those help too.

But my feet still swell despite those things if I don't swim every couple days.

Swimming improves the circulation in the legs while also elevating the legs to the level of the heart. It apparently really helps balance the fluids across the body. So I thought I would post about it.

Comments

[dionysus1999.livejournal.com]

You don't see that many pregnant women swimming. I imagine being pregnant changes how your body moves through the water?

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

No, not particularly. Water still flows past a larger rounded belly pretty well.

Speaking to doctors, swimming is the most commonly recommended form of exercise - it's no-impact, the water takes the weight of the baby off your back, it doesn't strain your joints. And in the summer, it's also a good way to cool off.

I still swim faster than a number of other people in the pool, 9 months pregnant...

[parsleigh.livejournal.com]

I do not, however, recommend a hot tub.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

No, hot tubs are contraindicated during pregnancy anyway. overheating the core of your body can contribute to Neural Tube birth defects.

[sarahmichigan.livejournal.com]

I get swelling in my feet and ankles because of my hypothyroidism, and I hadn't thought about it, but I think they are better after I swim. neat!