surviving pregnancy swelling

The heat we are experiencing in Indy this week reminds me of the dreaded heat we had last summer as I was nearing the end of my pregnancy. I. Was. Miserable. My husband was always wanting to do things outside and literally every single time I even stepped outside, my swelling got 100 times worse. Believe it or not, there are a few things you can do to help with swelling toward the end of your pregnancy!

Drink Water

Water helps flush your system throughout the day. I really struggled with drinking so much water, especially toward the end of my pregnancy, as it made me feel even more bloated than before. What I realized was that my swelling was actually much better and I noticed a huge difference when I drank plenty of water throughout the day. It can be difficult to be able to drink a lot of water throughout the day if you're still working, so I recommend getting a large water bottle to help eliminate refills all day! I use a one gallon water bottle to cut down on trips to the water fountain and it also helps me track how much water I drink each day!

Gallon Water Bottle

Elevate Your Feet

I REALLY struggled with swelling in my feet and ankles toward the end of my pregnancy. Any chance you get, prop your feet up. It doesn't have to be anything fancy either. I put a milk crate under my desk to put my feet on when I would sit at my desk and work. I am a special education teacher, so my job is a good mix of being up on my feet and also sitting at my desk to do paperwork. You can make this work with anything you have lying around the house, but taking the pressure off your feet will make a huge difference! 

Stay Cool

If you are nearing the end of your pregnancy with this heat, you know the struggle is real! It can be so nice to get outside, but then you immediately regret it because of how hot it is and how terrible your swelling is from just stepping outside. While outside, make sure you have an umbrella or stay in the shade. Keep your water with you at all times and again, keep those feet propped up!

Use A Fan

My best friend toward the end of my pregnancy was my handheld fan. If you are outside and it's hot, make sure you keep a small handheld fan with you just to use on your face, it will be a lifesaver! A good friend of mine got me this at my baby shower and I used it WAY more than I ever thought I would. It's also perfect to take to the hospital with you during labor! The one I have is below!

​Handheld Fan

Pregnancy can be hard enough without battling the heat and swelling. As you near the end of your pregnancy, the swelling is inevitable, but these tips can help make it more manageable as you anxiously wait to meet your new little one! Stay cool!

​xo-The Home Team Mama