Throughout the course of pregnancy, significant hormonal changes are taking place. One change which may occur in some accumulation of fluid in your body. This may cause some swelling of your hands and feet, particularly in the hot weather.

This condition should generally not cause you or your clinician any alarm since it occurs to some degree in all women during pregnancy; it is not associated with an increase in maternal or fetal problems. It is, however, inappropriate to treat this condition with “Diuretics” (water-losing pills) or by sodium (or salt) restriction. Sodium needs, in fact, are increased in pregnancy. Studies with animals suggest that rigorous sodium restriction may make your body less able to maintain its normal fluid balance. Ultimately, this could cause damage to the kidneys and adrenal glands. While moderation, particularly in the use of added salt and the intake of excessively salty foods, is appropriate for everyone, severe restriction or salt is not advisable since your body and your fetus have increased needs for sodium.