Postpartum Oedema – Causes, Signs and Remedies

After delivery, your prenatal symptoms disappear, but you get occupied with several postpartum conditions. This is not to scare you but to help prepare for the upcoming days. A woman's body goes through innumerable hormonal and physical changes during postpartum. One of the most common conditions every new mother faces for a while is postpartum oedema. 

Read on to learn more about this condition that women may face after giving birth.

In medical terms, oedema stands for swelling caused by fluid trapped in different body parts. New mothers experience swelling in different parts of their bodies due to pregnancy. It also includes the face, ankles, hand, legs, and stomach.

It is normal to go through this condition because, during pregnancy, hormones cause you to retain fluid. This extra fluid makes your blood volume increase by around 50% and takes time to return to its previous levels.

Due to gravity, these fluids are attracted downwards, thus making your feet and ankle swell. These fluids gradually get eliminated from your body through urine and sweat, but the removal process can be slow.

There are multiple reasons that can lead to this condition, some of which are listed below -

1. Hormonal Changes

One of the main reasons behind this condition is hormonal changes. Progesterone is one of the hormones that gets produced in a large quantity during pregnancy. Its purpose is to retain sodium and water levels. Hence after delivering a baby, a mother's body is left with excess fluid, which in turn causes this swelling.

2. Leftover IV Fluids

Another reason for postpartum oedema can be the leftover IV fluids in the body. When a woman gets into labour, IV fluids are given to prevent dehydration. Sometimes, these fluids get trapped and cause inflammation. This mainly happens after caesarean birth.

3. Hypertension

Hypertension is a very common medical condition that almost every pregnant woman faces during labour. It has been observed that pregnancy-induced hypertension also causes inflammation and swelling in different body parts.

4. Hypoproteinemia and Anaemia

Other causes of postpartum oedema can be hypoproteinemia and anaemia. The former condition occurs when there is a lower protein level, while a deficiency of red blood cells causes the latter. If a mother gets any of these medical conditions post-delivery, she can develop oedema.

5. Extreme Pushing During Labour

While a woman is in labour, she only focuses on delivering the child. Sometimes, they push so hard that they make certain fluids to their extremities. This eventually causes oedema in certain body parts.

6. Being Sedentary

Some people suggest bed rest after delivery, but this can sometimes become a disaster. Restricting movement, especially after caesarean delivery, makes it difficult for the body to lose this excess fluid.

Here are some of the common postpartum oedema signs. Generally, these symptoms tend to improve within a week.

• Swelling of the tissue under your skin, especially in your legs or arms
• When your press your skin, it causes indentation
• Skin getting stretched
• Sudden weight gain within a short time
• Increased abdominal size 

However, new signs like the following can indicate something serious is underlying oedema -

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• redness or pain under the eyes
• swelling of the face and hands

The list below highlights the most favoured remedies that have proven to reduce postpartum oedema.

1. Drink Adequate Water

It may seem unreasonable to drink water in order to reduce fluid content, but staying hydrated helps in losing water weight. On the other hand, staying dehydrated holds on to the extra fluid. Drinking adequate water also helps to flush out waste through the kidneys, which in turn keeps the immune system healthy and speeds up recovery after pregnancy.

2. Refrain Salt Consumption

You must always remember to strike the right balance between sodium and water. This is because sodium retains water. Especially after pregnancy, when you already know there is extra fluid in your system, you would not wish to increase it. Henceforth, make a habit of checking the sodium composition of all packaged food and also reduce table salt intake.

3. Include Potassium-Rich Food

Since sodium and potassium work together, consuming more potassium can naturally reduce the sodium levels in one's body. Therefore, include potassium-rich food that is readily available. For example:

• Apricots
• Bananas
• Spinach
• Lentils
• Baked beans
• Avocados
• Peanut butter
• Yoghurt

4. Reduce Caffeine Intake

Caffeine dehydrates your body. Thus, drinking too much coffee or other caffeinated drinks can influence the body to retain water. You can replace your regular caffeinated beverages with herbal teas or water to maintain hydration and reduce the risk of postpartum oedema.

5. Elevate Your Feet

As mentioned earlier, gravity pulls the fluid, and it mostly gets accumulated in the legs. To reduce this swelling, you can keep your feet above the heart level to enhance blood circulation. Although this is a temporary fix, you must look for permanent ways to reduce oedema.

6. Exercise Regularly

One of the most effective postpartum oedema remedies includes doing light exercises. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, doing the following physical exercises can help reduce swelling.

• Walking
• Low-impact yoga
• Swimming
• Pilates
• Aqua-natal classes

7. Wear Compression Stockings

A study shows wearing compression stockings can help reduce swelling within 24 hours after giving birth. These specialised stockings can improve blood circulation by minimising the size of blood vessels in the legs.

8. Wear Comfortable Clothes

Skin-tight clothes can interrupt blood circulation, hence doctors recommend wearing comfortable and loose clothes. Moreover, tight clothes can encourage the fluid to pool in certain areas and prevent water-weight reduction.

9. Use Foam Roller

If you are experiencing postpartum oedema, and cannot get enough relief from exercising, try foam rollers. Using foam rollers on feet can induce blood circulation along with reducing water retention. It is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider and know the process of using this foam roller effectively.

10. Get Massages

Postpartum can be immensely stressful and physically straining. So, whenever you get some time off, pamper yourself. Get massages not just to reduce stress and tiredness but also to enhance blood circulation.

You must consult a doctor if or when any of these situations occur -

• Sudden swelling in some body parts
• Development of pitted oedema
• Pain, redness, irritation or increased swelling in either leg
• Continuous headaches, vomiting, blurred vision, being sensitive to light
• Chest pain, trouble breathing, or any other symptoms of peripartum cardiomyopathy
• Caesarean stitch swells up along with pain and bleeding or discharge of a foul-smelling fluid

Postpartum oedema is one of the most common medical conditions that happens to every woman post-delivery. As discussed in the above sections, it can occur due to several reasons, ranging from hormonal changes to hypertension. However, this does not last long, and in most cases, women have recovered within a week.