You DO NOT have to be uncomfortable while pregnant. You DO NOT “have to accept” swelling happens to everyone- it doesn’t. I did not get swollen one time with my first pregnancy and I am almost 7 months into my second without any swelling, of any kind, of any body part. And I flew from Iowa to New Zealand with my first and to Tanzania with my second. If anyone was going to get swollen, it would have been me. Believe me- these tips WILL help prevent or reduce any swelling you may be feeling during pregnancy.

Let’s also get one thing straight- your body needs the extra fluid while pregnant. It actually accounts for almost 25% of your weight gain. But that doesn’t mean you need to just accept the fact that you have to be uncomfortable. Try these tips and let me know if it helps!

Basic Tips

If you ask your doctor how to prevent swelling, they will give you these basic tips:

• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time
• Elevate feet if sitting for an extended period of time
• Reduce caffeine intake- which you should already have been doing while pregnant

Leg Compression Sleeves

3-4 times a week, I will use my leg compression sleeves for 25 minutes at night. This has helped tremendously in increasing blood flow to the areas that are always swollen in pregnancy (lower extremities). I understand these are an investment- when we purchased them, they were $500 more than what they are now! If you have been interested in these in awhile (I talk about them a lot), now is the time to order them!

Wearing daily compression socks can also help too if you sit or stand for extended periods of time!

Supplements

As mentioned above, an additional fluid amount in the body is necessary for pregnant women. This means that electrolytes need to be properly balanced in order to prevent edema. Frequent urination is also extremely common, especially the later one gets in pregnancy, so ensuring sodium, potassium, and magnesium are at the proper levels are vital for pregnant women. REPLENISH is our company’s electrolyte formula that I have been drinking daily during this pregnancy (it hadn’t launched during my pregnancy with Oakley, or I would have consumed it then too).

If you are in need of supplementing with magnesium (will also help with sleeping and restless leg syndrome), I recommend this brand– it is what I have used for the last year. There are three types of magnesium and the one in this supplement will not make you run to the bathroom like the others, plus it is fortified with zinc which helps absorb magnesium better when taken together.

With any supplement routine, please consult with your doctor prior to use.

Other Tips

• Aim for 10,000 steps a day during pregnancy to increase circulation and improve any swelling in ankles and feet
• Drink around 3/4 – 1 gallon of water per day
• Epsom salt baths can help or simply being submerged in water

I hope these tips help you in your pregnancy journey- please leave a comment below if they do!