Diuretic Foods and drinks

Wow this whole 3rd pregnancy thing really goes by fast... I can't believe I am almost 33 weeks already, smack in the middle of the 3rd trimester! Which incidentally is when swelling is usually at its worst...you're fingers feeling like sausages and your feet feeling like footballs. Jewelry doesn't fit, and lets face it, if you're comfortably wearing shoes at this point that aren't flip flops, you should count yourself lucky. Fluid retention at this point seems like just another "symptom" of pregnancy (espeically in the summer), but in fact there are a variety of foods and drinks that can help your body shed some of that excess water and make these last few weeks of pregnancy much more pleasant. The list includes: asparagus, cucumbers, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, beets, cabbage, carrots, artichokes, bananas, horseradish, lettuce, oats, raisins, raw onions and radishes, canteloupe, watercress and watermelon. Naturally diuretic drinks include: cranberry juice, green tea, and herbal and dandelion leaf teas. Other methods to combat swelling during pregnancy are compression and ice, elevation, and light massage. Drinking adequate amounts of water is also important to prevent fluid retention (which I realize seems counter-intuitive, but its true!)

It is also important to keep in mind that excessive edema, when coupled with high blood pressure and protein in the urine is a sign of pre-eclampsia, which is a life-threatening condition when left untreated. As always, talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about the severity of your swelling or any other symptoms you are having during your pregnancy. Happy baby growing everyone!!!

Source for diuretic food and drink list: www.ehow.com/about_4744847_natural-diuretics-pregnancy.html accessed: 7-12-11.