Can elevating the legs help relieve swelling during pregnancy?

Elevating both legs generally helps alleviate swelling during pregnancy; it is recommended to properly manage and regulate this condition.

Swelling during pregnancy is primarily caused by hormonal changes and the enlarged uterus pressing on the inferior vena cava, resulting in poor circulation. Elevating the legs can promote blood return in the lower limbs, reduce leg pressure, and thus help relieve swelling during pregnancy. Therefore, elevating the legs is a simple and effective method for managing pregnancy-related swelling. The height at which the feet are raised should be moderate, comfortable enough to avoid affecting the effectiveness due to being too high or too low.

Elevating the legs can be combined with other methods to relieve swelling, such as a low-salt diet and appropriate massage, to enhance effectiveness. In addition to elevating the legs, pregnant women can also improve swelling by adjusting their diet and engaging in suitable physical activity. Reducing salt intake, with a daily intake not exceeding 6 grams. Appropriate walking helps improve circulation and relieve swelling symptoms. However, strenuous exercise should be avoided to prevent adverse effects on the fetus.

In daily life, it is recommended that pregnant women avoid standing or sitting for long periods to prevent increasing the burden on the lower limbs and worsening swelling symptoms. Attention should also be paid to maintaining a regular diet to help improve overall physical condition.