Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester | 20 Ways to Deal With Extreme Swelling

Reaching the final months of your pregnancy period is exclusive, but Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester can disturb some mothers for their and their baby’s health.

Should you be worried about it? It is good to be concerned and well-informed about the different things you go through during your expectant period. However, being worried is never a solution to any problem.

Instead, it can lead to mood swings and depression, leading to further health issues for you and your baby.

So, stop worrying because it is usually fine to have swelling during pregnancy in 9th month. However, there can be some exceptions… c’mon don’t dwell on it; it happens rarely.

“Read this guide till the end to find all about Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester, but keep a glass of your favorite juice and some pregnancy-safe snacks while you go through this guide, and don’t fret.

Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester, Is It Normal?

First of all, congratulations! You have reached the third and the final trimester of your pregnancy.

Within three months, you will be having the baby out right in your arm, staring at you and the world with his beautiful eyes.  

Soon, you will be able to feel your child’s soft skin against yours, giving you exceptionally relaxing feel.

Now to the Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester guide:

Third trimester swelling is pretty normal, and almost 90% of mothers might experience swollen face during pregnancy.

Some might face extreme swelling during pregnancy but still, give birth to a normal and healthy child.

Usually, facial edema in pregnancy occurs because”

As the pregnancy progresses, fluid can accumulate in the tissues along your face, legs, ankle, and feet to cause puffiness.

Swelling during pregnancy is known as physiologic edema medically, and it is entirely normal to have it during the third trimester.

But how does this accumulation of fluids occur during pregnancy, and what can be the causes behind Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester?

Let’s find out:

Third Trimester Swelling Causes That you Shouldn’t be Worried About

1.   Excessive Production of Hormones:

The adrenal glands produce excessive hormones like aldosterone and cortisol that can make your body or face retain fluid and causes puffiness around your face.

2.   Enlarged Uterus:

Uterus gets enlarged as the pregnancy period gradually progresses. This further interferes with the blood flowing to and from the legs to and from the heart.

It further results in the fluid formulation and accumulation and seeping into the veins and the tissues around it.

3.   Physiologic Edema:

Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester can be caused by high sodium intake, leading to physiological edema because of sodium retention of the tissues.

4.   Low Potassium:

The low potassium levels can lead to puffiness or swelling in the pregnant ladies and can lead to weakness, muscle cramps, fatigue, constipation, and even abnormal heart rate if left untreated.

5.   Caffeine Consumption:

Excessive caffeine consumption can also lead to water retention in the cells and cause puffiness around the eyes, on the face, cheeks, and lips.

6.   Processed Food:

Processed and high trans-fat foods can also be one of the causes of the swollen face during pregnancy because these are high in sugar and carbs. It can also lead to weight gain.

The aforementioned 6 are the common causes of Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester. You can easily treat them by avoiding triggers like processed food and lowering sodium intake.

We shall discuss detailed Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester treatments in the lines coming ahead. But before that, check some of the severe and dangerous causes behind the extreme swelling during pregnancy:

Third Trimester Swelling Causes That Require Attention

How to know when should I be concerned about swelling during pregnancy? Here are some extreme cases that might be dangerous and require immediate attention.

7.   Vein Thrombosis:

Deep vein thrombosis can be called the formation of blood clots in the veins in general language.

During pregnancy, the production of a particular protein increases, which helps blood clotting intended to prevent excessive bleeding during delivery.

However, when a mother remains idle during her child-bearing period, the clots of blood form in excess, especially in the legs, contributing to Deep vein thrombosis causing fat or big face.  

If the problem continues, it can lead to chances of developing pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening phenomenon.

Vein thrombosis issue can trigger during pregnancy if;

• You already been subjected to deep vein thrombosis
• If someone in your family has/had blood clotting disorders
• Injured vein disturbing blood flow
• If you are already subjected to  kidney or heart problems
• Idleness during pregnancy
• Weight gain

8.   Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: 

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is one of the late pregnancy symptoms that can cause Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester.

However, the risk of developing this issue remains until the 5 months after the baby is born.

It is dangerous as it can lead to an enlarged or weakened heart, causing shortness of breath, fatigue, weight gain, leg swelling, and pain during pregnancy.

Ignoring this extreme swelling during pregnancy accompanied by pain is not recommended. It requires immediate and serious actions.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy can be triggered by:

• Late pregnancy (30 or older)
• Heart problem
• Twin fetus
• Preeclampsia
• High Blood Pressure

9.   Cellulitis:

Swelling associated with the water retention in the cell can lead to cellulitis, a bacterial infection. It happens because when the skin is swelled, it is sensitive that can be a prey to bacterial attacks.

The signs that you might be having a Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester include redness, tenderness, and feeling warm when touched.

The risk of cellulitis can be increased due to,

• Weakened immune system
• History of cellulitis
• Skin problems
• Obesity
• Lymphedema
• illicit use of drugs

10.   Preeclampsia Face Swelling:

Preeclampsia face swelling is caused by the excessive discharge of protein through urine during pregnancy and high blood pressure.

This can also lead to fluid accumulation in the tissues triggering a puffy face or swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, or legs.

Preeclampsia face swelling risk increases when:

• Higher blood pressure
• Genetics
• First pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Abnormal growth of the placenta with or without a fetus

Preeclampsia face swelling shouldn’t be ignored because, in extreme cases, it can lead to organ damage, including the brain, kidney, lungs, or liver, not only in the mother but the fetus also.

But how to know if Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester is due to the extreme causes like Preeclampsia or normal reasons like water retention?

Let’s find out:

Preeclampsia Swelling VS Normal Swelling

Here is the comparison of Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester caused by common issues or Preeclampsia in Table 1.1

Table 1.1 explains well the signs and symptoms associated with Preeclampsia swelling VS normal swelling. If you feel to experience anything given in the left side boxes, contact a doctor ASAP.

When Should I Be Concerned About Swelling During Pregnancy?

If you face extreme swelling during pregnancy from the one day of the first trimester and have a puffy face during pregnancy till the third trimester, it is concerning.

Along with this, nausea and vomiting are common to occur during the early days of pregnancy. However, when you experience a Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester, nausea and headache can be because of the underlying issues.

Usual swelling goes away when you take a rest, but you should be concerned when your face or hands are swollen after a complete resting day, even more than before.

Pregnancy Edema Treatment

Usual Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester can be treated by following the given suggestions:

1. Sleeping on the left side
2. Transfer the uterus position from the large vein to let the blood flow smoothly
3. Regular resting
4. Keep a stool under the feet when sitting on the chair to raise the level
5. changing position while resting, not restricting blood
6. Wearing loose clothing
7. Wearing breathable stockings
8. Eating healthy

Eating healthy means looking at the pregnancy-safe nutrients in the foods and having complete information about the diet plan.

It is necessary because even a healthy egg diet can be dangerous for the fetus if not taken correctly—our pregnancy food guide for more information.

Some more OTC Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester edema treatments are:

9. Avoiding processed food
10. Not consuming excess coffee
11. Lowering processed sugar intake
12. Regular exercises
13. Avoid sitting idle
14. Avoid feeling low or high due to mood swings and no respective reason
15. Icing puffed area
16. Keeping from dehydration
17. Excessive water intake
18. Watch your sodium intake
19. Weight monitoring
20. Massage

Bottom Line

Here is the end to our Puffy Face Pregnancy Third Trimester guide. We have discussed the subject with all critical points, including when you should be concerned about swelling during pregnancy and when not.

For more information, keep visiting the health channel Look Broad.