When does edema start to occur during pregnancy? | Edema during pregnancy

When does edema start to occur during pregnancy?

The point at which water retention occurs during pregnancy depends on various factors. Both the physical constitution of the expectant mother and the weight of the unborn child play a decisive role in this context. Despite the enormous increase in blood volume during the entire pregnancy, the venous system can withstand the resulting strain for a while.

For this reason, it is not possible to say at what point edema typically occurs during pregnancy. In general, however, it can be observed that in most cases the occurrence of water retention is only complained about towards the end of pregnancy. Especially after the seventh month of pregnancy, the rate of women with edema increases.

The type and intensity of the daily physical strain of the expectant mother is also decisive for the question of when edema begins to occur. Daily moderate exercise, for example in the form of regular walks, can delay or even completely prevent the development of edema. Furthermore, it can be observed that women who sit or stand frequently during pregnancy suffer from edema much earlier. The reason for this is that blood flow within the venous system is impeded while sitting or standing.

Decline

Edema that occurs during pregnancy does not require medical treatment in most cases. This is due to the fact that water retention is almost normal during the last months of pregnancy and completely disappears after delivery without medical intervention. The point at which the edema has completely subsided depends on several factors.

In particular, the constitution of the woman concerned and the time of mobilization after delivery seem to play a decisive role in this context. In addition, the renewed change in the hormone balance after the birth of the child seems to have an influence on when the water retention is completely gone again. As soon as the oestrogen level in the mother’s organism begins to fall, the tissue gradually assumes a more compact shape again.

In addition, the increased blood volume during pregnancy slowly decreases again. In this way, the venous system is increasingly relieved and less fluid passes from the vessels into the surrounding tissue.