This is the third part of three posts on natural ways to relieve pregnancy symptoms.
In this post, I’ll focus on the side effects that are common during pregnancy: Edema, stretch marks, and excessive urinating.
The Happiest Moment in Every Woman Life
The moment you find out that you are developing a fetus in your womb is without a doubt one of the happiest moments among women.
However, just as the smile is big and the joy is great, they are matched with bothersome and unpleasant side effects.
Along with the bloated abdomen and increased appetite, you get swollen feet, you discover stretch marks on your belly, and you need to visit the toilet a lot more often than usual.
Let’s talk about natural ways to relieve these pregnancy symptoms.
Edema
You have already reached the middle of pregnancy and you don’t understand what is this edema everyone is talking about?
Wait a few more weeks and you won’t understand what happened to your feet.
The legs are swollen and the shoes are tight and don’t fit.
Home Remedies for Edema
Cabbage Leaves
Wrap the legs with cabbage leaves.
Open the leaves and roll with a rolling pin slightly to make them flexible.
Then you can wrap the leg for about half an hour.
The leaves should be applied on the affected area.
Chamomile Infusion or Cucumber Water
Lay the feet in a cool chamomile infusion.
You can also make cucumber water for the same use and also place the cucumber slices on the specific swollen areas.
Basic Recommendations
Raise your legs and avoid prolonged standing or sitting.
Edema in the upper part of the body, like the limbs or the face, might be a sign of preeclampsia and in this case, you should consult with a doctor.
Stretch Marks
Many women show stretch marks during pregnancy.
Studies show that it is common in more than 50% of all women around the world.
This phenomenon occurs as a result of the skin stretching as your body grows.
The stretch marks cannot be completely prevented, but there are things that can be done to reduce the chance of them appearing.
Sometimes their prominence can also be affected.
In any case, it is important to know that stretch marks can also fade over time.
Home Remedies to Prevent Strech Marks
Olive Oil
Olive oil contains a lot of nutrients and antioxidants that help improve various skin problems, including stretch marks.
Heat the olive oil a bit so it will be warm, apply it topically on the affected area and massage with a circular motion.
This massage will improve blood circulation and significantly reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Leave the oil on the skin for about half an hour so that the vitamins A, D, and E that are present in the oil will absorb into the skin.
You can also mix olive oil with apple cider vinegar and water, and use it as a night cream.
This cream will keep the skin moist and fresh.
Water
Keeping our body high in hydration will help protect the skin from many types of problems as well as stretch marks.
Drinking a lot also helps to keep the skin flexible and allows it to restore the elasticity it has lost.
Try to drink one glass of water per hour, experts say that drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day is the best way to keep the body healthy.
In addition, try to avoid coffee, tea, and sugary or carbonated beverages.
Cocoa Butter and Wheat Germ Oil
Cocoa butter is known to be a very helpful home remedy for treating stretch marks.
As a natural moisturizer, cocoa butter helps nourish the skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
You should apply natural cocoa butter on the affected area at least twice a day for half a year or more.
Another way is to make a rich mixture using half a cup of cocoa butter, one tablespoon of wheat germ oil, two teaspoons of shea butter, and one teaspoon of apricot oil and vitamin E.
Put all the ingredients in a heatproof bowl and place it over a pot with boiled water on a low flame.
Heat the mixture until the shea butter is melted and apply to the skin.
You can store the mixture in an airtight jar and continue to apply it two or three times a day, so it will nourish your skin and make it smoother.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is effective in treating many skin problems.
With its healing properties, aloe vera is known as an effective home remedy for eliminating stretch marks.
There are several ways to use aloe vera:
The first is to rub the aloe vera wave directly over the stretch marks,
it is important to leave the gel for 20 minutes and then rinse the skin with lukewarm water.
Another option is to create a mixture with a quarter cup of aloe vera gel and enrich the gel with 10-15 drops of vitamin E and capsules of vitamin A.
After creating the mixture, massage it on the skin until completely absorbed.
Repeat the process daily.
Lemon Juice
Another simple way to prevent stretch marks is to use lemon juice.
Natural acidic lemon juice helps heal and reduce stretch marks, acne, and other scars.
Gently apply fresh lemon over the stretch marks or irritated skin in circular motions, for 10 minutes.
Let the lemon juice stay on the skin for an additional 10 minutes.
Then, wash the skin with warm water.
Excessive Urinating
During pregnancy, you may find yourself going to the bathroom more often than usual. This is because the amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process more fluid, which reaches the bladder.
In addition, the level of the hormone progesterone, which rises during pregnancy, increases blood flow to the pelvic floor and bladder, a condition that can lead to hypersensitivity.
Caffeine
Avoid drinking too many caffeinated beverages or drinking too much water before bed.
Kegel Exercise
Learn how to perform kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Also, lean forward while urinating to empty the bladder well.
Dehydration
If you have dark yellow or orange urine, it may be a sign of dehydration.
Try to increase fluid intake until the urine returns to a normal light yellow hue.
Note Consult with your doctor to eliminate UTI or Gestational diabetes.
Don’t miss the first two parts of this series of posts about natural ways to relieve pregnancy symptoms.
The first post is about the nausea, heartburn,and a bitter taste in the mouth symptoms,
and the second post is about the constipation, gases, and hemorrhoids symptoms.
