Why Swelling Happens During Pregnancy and How to Find Relief

The medical term for swelling during pregnancy is edema, and it affects the vast majority of expecting moms. Swelling in your legs, feet, and ankles is usually normal and nothing to worry about. However, it can occasionally signal something more serious, like preeclampsia or a blood clot. This episode explains why swelling during pregnancy happens, what you can do to prevent and treat it, and the warning signs that mean you should call your doctor or midwife. We also cover related issues like carpal tunnel and varicose veins, why swelling can actually get worse right after birth, how to handle swelling when you travel, and why so-called water pills are not the answer. Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/swelling/ Thank you to the brands that power this podcast: Zahler goes above and beyond in formulating their Prenatal +DHA. It's made with high-quality nutrients like the active form of folate and bioavailable iron. Plus, it includes essential nutrients like omega-3s that you will not find in most other prenatal vitamins. In the month of July 2026, save 40% with the code ZPRENATAL40 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qgc7Jp You can always see the current promo code at: https://pregnancypodcast.com/vitamin/ 8 Sheep Organics makes amazing, 100% Clean, Natural Pregnancy Products. From skin care to treating common pregnancy symptoms like stretch marks with clinically proven ingredients, 8 Sheep Organics has you covered. Every product from 8 Sheep Organics comes with a 100-Day Happiness Guarantee. Try it risk-free for 100 days. If you're not 100% happy with your purchase, simply send them an email and they will get you a refund, no questions asked. Check out 8 Sheep Organics and save 10% when you go to https://pregnancypodcast.com/8sheep/ Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter Upgrade to Pregnancy Podcast Premium for ad-free episodes, full access to the back catalog, and a free copy of the Your Birth Plan book: https://pregnancypodcast.com/premium Save with discounts and deals available for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com