what can cause an unborn baby to swell

As pregnancy progresses, fluid may accumulate in tissues, commonly in the feet, ankles, and legs, causing them to not bad and announced puffy. This condition is called edema. Occasionally, the face and hands also peachy. Some fluid accumulation during pregnancy is normal, especially during the tertiary trimester. It is called physiologic edema.

Fluid accumulates during pregnancy because the adrenal glands produce more of the hormones that brand the trunk retain fluids (aldosterone and cortisol). Fluid also accumulates considering the enlarging uterus interferes with claret catamenia from the legs to the middle. Every bit a upshot, fluid backs upwardly in the veins of the legs and seeps out into the surrounding tissues.

Usually during pregnancy, swelling is

• Physiologic edema

In preeclampsia, blood pressure and protein levels in urine increase during pregnancy. Fluids may accrue, causing swelling in the confront, easily, or feet and weight gain. If astringent, preeclampsia tin damage organs, such as the brain, kidneys, lungs, or liver, and cause problems in the baby.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy causes shortness of breath and fatigue likewise every bit swelling.

In cellulitis, leaner infect the peel and tissues nether the skin, sometimes causing swelling with redness and tenderness. Cellulitis most usually affects the legs but may occur anywhere.

The adventure of deep vein thrombosis and preeclampsia is increased by various conditions (risk factors).

For deep vein thrombosis, risk factors include the following:

• A previous episode of deep vein thrombosis

• Inherited claret clotting disorders

• A disorder that makes blood more than likely to clot, such as cancer or kidney or centre problems

• Immobility, every bit may occur subsequently an illness or surgery

• Obesity

For preeclampsia, risk factors include

• Preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy or a family fellow member who has had preeclampsia

• Age under 17 or over 35

• A first pregnancy

• A pregnancy with more than than one fetus

• Claret vessel (vascular) disorders

For peripartum cardiomyopathy, risk factors include the following:

• Age 30 or older

• African descent

• A pregnancy with more than one fetus

• Preeclampsia

Doctors must rule out deep vein thrombosis, preeclampsia, a middle disorder, cellulitis, and other possible causes earlier they can diagnose physiologic edema.

In pregnant women with bloated legs, the post-obit symptoms are cause for business organization:

• Blood force per unit area that is 140/ninety mm Hg or higher

• Swelling in only one leg or calf, especially if the expanse is warm, red, and/or tender or fever is present

• Swelling in the hands

• Swelling that of a sudden increases

• Confusion, difficulty breathing, changes in vision, shaking (tremor), a seizure, sudden abdominal pain, or a sudden headache—symptoms that may exist caused past preeclampsia

• Chest pain

Women should go to the hospital immediately if they have

• Symptoms that suggest preeclampsia or a heart disorder

Women with other warning signs should see a medico that mean solar day. Women without warning signs should run into a physician, simply a delay of several days is usually not harmful.

Doctors ask the following:

• When the swelling started

• How long it has been nowadays

• Whether any activity (such as lying on the left side) lessens or worsens information technology

Lying on the left side decreases physiologic edema.

Doctors also ask virtually atmospheric condition that increase the run a risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, preeclampsia, and peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Women are asked near other symptoms, which may suggest a crusade. They are asked whether they have ever had deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, preeclampsia, high blood force per unit area, or heart problems, including cardiomyopathy.

During the physical examination, doctors wait for testify of a serious cause. To cheque for symptoms of preeclampsia, doctors measure blood force per unit area, listen to the middle and lungs, and may check the woman'due south reflexes and look at the back of her eyes with an ophthalmoscope (a handheld device that resembles a modest flashlight). Doctors as well expect for areas of swelling, particularly in the legs, hands, and confront. Any swollen areas are checked to run across if they are ruby, warm, or tender.

If deep vein thrombosis is suspected, Doppler ultrasonography of the affected leg is done. This test can testify disturbances in blood menstruum acquired by blood clots in the leg veins.

If preeclampsia is suspected, the protein level is measured in a urine sample. High blood pressure plus a loftier poly peptide level in urine indicates preeclampsia. If the diagnosis is unclear, the adult female is asked to collect her urine for 24 hours, and protein is measured in that volume of urine. This measurement is more accurate. However, preeclampsia may likewise exist present if the protein level in urine is normal. Loftier claret pressure level with headache, changes in vision, abdominal pain, or abnormal claret or urine test results may also bespeak preeclampsia.

If peripartum cardiomyopathy is suspected, electrocardiography, chest x-ray, echocardiography, and blood tests to check eye office are done.

When swelling results from a disorder, that disorder is treated.

The swelling that occurs normally during pregnancy can be reduced past doing the following:

• Lying on the left side, which moves the uterus off the big vein that returns blood to the centre (junior vena cava)

• Resting ofttimes with the legs elevated

• Wearing elastic support stockings

• Wearing loose clothing that does not restrict claret flow, specially in the legs (for example, not wearing socks or stockings that have tight bands around the ankles or calves)

• Some swelling in the legs and ankles is normal (physiologic) during pregnancy and occurs during the tertiary trimester.

• Doctors can identify serious causes of swelling based on results of a physical exam, blood pressure measurement, blood and urine tests, and sometimes ultrasonography.

• If pregnancy itself is the crusade, swelling can be reduced by lying on the left side, elevating the legs periodically, wearing support stockings, and wearing wear that does non restrict blood menstruation.

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Source: https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/symptoms-during-pregnancy/swelling-during-late-pregnancy

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