Hand swelling during pregnancy is a normal thing. Swollen ankles and feet are widely known as common culprits during this wonderful time of changes. But you may not have known that even your hands can swell as well, which can make wearing jewelry during pregnancy a bit more difficult. Continue reading below to discover the reason why your hands are swelling, and what solutions can help.
Usually this begins in the third trimester of pregnancy. According to Healthline, this swelling is called edema. Your blood volume and body fluids increase by 50 percent to soften the body and provide for your baby’s needs while developing in your womb. It also helps to accommodate the growth of your baby and opens your pelvic joints for delivery, so it’s not all bad. But if you’re having trouble easily slipping your rings on and off while pregnant, this could be the reason.
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How to Decrease Hand Swelling During Pregnancy
If you still want to wear your rings during this time, you can try holding your hands above your head to get the fluid from your hands to rush down, making it easier to get them on and off. You could also try using lotion to give your finger some slip. Or, hold your finger in cold water to help decrease the swelling.
To keep the swelling down, it’s also advised to drink more water as it can flush out your system. This will also help with reducing your fluid retention. Exercising in water is another great option to help compress the tissue inside your body. And you should always avoid wearing anything that is constricting while you rest.
Eating well will also assist in keeping your swelling down. Eating more bananas, lean protein, and going easy on the salt are all very beneficial. And incorporating celery, artichokes, parsley, and ginger are also be helpful to your body.
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Ring Solutions for Swollen Hands
If none of those options work, or you’re looking for a quick fix, there are other solutions you can try. Some women still get away with wearing their wedding band and engagement ring by putting them on a necklace and wearing them around their necks. Others may pin the rings onto their clothes. If you have the extra funds, consider ordering more wedding bands and engagement rings that are a larger size to wear in the meantime. They might even make the perfect right hand ring for after you deliver and your swelling has subsided.
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Reactions to Metal Jewelry While Pregnant
Swelling is not the only reason wearing jewelry can be difficult while pregnant. Maybe you are developing rashes where your favorite necklace used to be. This is completely normal, but you should be aware and monitor the changes in your skin.
BabyMed says hormonal changes during pregnancy can change how the body reacts to certain metals. Some women may be able to wear jewelry made of gold, silver, platinum, titanium, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, and rhodium; while others may have a skin reaction they’re not used to seeing. This can happen as early as the first few weeks of pregnancy, or it might all of a sudden appear later in your pregnancy.
This is a big reason why silicon rings have become so popular over the past few years. They are often dubbed pregnancy rings and have gained a lot of traction. They’re hypoallergenic, unless you’re allergic to silicone. They can stretch as much as they need to, which makes them a very comfortable option. Though they may not look anything like metal, as they are easy to detect up close, they are relatively indistinguishable at a distance.
If all else fails, you can always ditch the wedding ring for awhile. We won’t judge.
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