Postpartum swelling: what is it & how long does it last?

Postpartum swelling: what is it?

Postpartum swelling is a common condition after childbirth, characterized by puffiness in your skin as well as swelling across your body. You might experience it in your legs, ankles, feet, hands, face, breasts – or any other part of your body.

Apart from the specific cases listed below, most postpartum swelling is simply caused by excess fluids accumulated during pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association advises that during pregnancy, a woman’s body produces 50% more blood and body fluids to meet the needs of her developing baby. Although you’ve now given birth, it can take some time for the fluid to leave your body, and for the swelling to go down.

Swelling is usually at its worst in the first week after giving birth. In most cases, it resolves within a few days or weeks as the body gets rid of excess fluids, but everyone’s different, and it may last longer for some people.

Anyone can be affected by postpartum swelling, no matter what type of delivery you have. So, if you have swollen feet or a puffy face after giving birth, it’s not usually anything to worry about, and it’ll gradually subside over the next couple of weeks.

Types of postpartum swelling

As well as swelling in your hands, feet, face, and legs due to fluid buildup, you may also experience some other types of postpartum swelling. These include:

Swelling of the perineal area

After a vaginal delivery, your perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) may be swollen, sore, and bruised – even if you didn’t need any stitches. That means it can be uncomfortable to sit down for the first few days or weeks after giving birth. You can relieve the pressure by sitting on a cushion and changing position regularly. You may also want to use ice packs to relieve the pain, and if lying on your side is uncomfortable, popping a cushion between your knees can reduce the amount of pressure you feel between your legs.

Breast engorgement

Your breasts can swell when the milk comes in a few days after birth, or whenever they are overly full once the milk flow has been established, meaning they will feel tight and tender. The best way to relieve the swelling and soreness is to breastfeed or pump milk as often as possible. It helps to wear a supportive bra, apply a warm compress to your breasts before feeding and a cold pack after, and massage your breasts to properly drain the milk ducts.

Hemorrhoids

During pregnancy, some people develop hemorrhoids (sometimes also called piles) which are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum — and others may get them during childbirth. They can be painful and itchy, and may bleed after a bowel movement. 

Remedies include soaking in warm water baths (like a sitz bath), applying hemorrhoid creams and ointments (although you should consult your doctor before taking any medications if you’re breastfeeding), and applying witch hazel to relieve the pain. Eating fiber-rich foods is also important to soften your stools, as is drinking lots of water (especially if you’re breastfeeding). Sitting down for long periods of time can also put pressure on your hemorrhoids, so it’s best to avoid sitting down for too long if possible (for example you can lie down to nurse) – and when you do sit down, sit on a pillow or foam donut to relieve pressure.

Postpartum edema

Postpartum edema is another name for fluid retention after childbirth, which is one of the most common causes of postpartum swelling. Signs of postpartum edema include:

• Swelling in the feet, ankles, and hands
• Puffiness in your face
• Stretched or shiny skin
• Rapid weight gain after childbirth

This type of swelling shouldn’t last for much longer than a week, but it can be uncomfortable. You can try elevating your legs to reduce swelling, as well as avoiding long periods of standing or sitting to relieve pressure. 

‌Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the calf or thigh. Some symptoms of DVT include:

• Swelling in one leg or in part of it
• Pain and/or tenderness in one leg 
• Warm skin around the painful area
• Swollen veins that are sore to touch

Pregnancy increases your risk of DVT, with the highest risk being just after you’ve given birth – but it’s still uncommon, affecting just 1-2 in 1000 women.

Deep vein thrombosis can be serious, so it’s important to seek medical attention if you think you might have this condition.

Natural treatments for postpartum swelling

Postpartum swelling is normal, and it should go down within a couple of weeks. There are some things you can do to reduce the swelling, including:

1. Drink plenty of water

It might sound counterintuitive, but staying hydrated can help reduce swelling. Dehydration makes your body hold onto excess water, while drinking water can help to flush out excess fluid – which in turn makes the swelling go down.

2. Elevate your feet

When you elevate your feet above the level of your heart, gravity helps to reduce the build-up of fluid in your legs and feet by encouraging it to flow around your body. 

You can try lying on your back with your legs up the wall if that’s comfortable for you, or simply elevating your legs using a few cushions or pillows. If you are breastfeeding you can try to do so while lying down.

3. Gentle exercise

Everyone’s different and some people are able to start exercising sooner than others after giving birth, so it’s always important to check with your doctor or healthcare provider, especially if you’ve had a C-section. You should avoid any vigorous exercise until you’ve had sign-off from your doctor, usually after your six week check-up.

If you’re feeling up to it – and you’ve had your doctor’s sign-off – try some gentle walking or yoga. This can help reduce swelling in your body by improving water and blood circulation, and stopping it from accumulating in one place.

4. Get a massage

A gentle postpartum massage can help improve circulation and reduce swelling. Massages are also great for stress relief and helping you relax – something you may be struggling to do as you adjust to a busy life as a new parent.

5. Reduce your caffeine intake

Consuming caffeine can dehydrate you, causing your body to retain fluids – which can then result in swelling. Switching to caffeine-free alternatives like decaf coffee and herbal tea may help reduce the swelling — and drinking lots of water will also help flush out your system and improve swelling.

If you’re breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to reduce how much caffeine you drink anyway, as it can pass into breast milk. It’s recommended that you consume no more than 300 mg/day of caffeine while breastfeeding.

6. Reduce salt

Sodium can help your body to retain water — so too much sodium can cause swelling and puffiness. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can already cause fluid retention. Consuming too much salt can exacerbate this effect, leading to increased swelling, especially in the later stages of pregnancy and during the postpartum period. So, watching your salt intake can be helpful when it comes to keeping on top of postpartum swelling. It’s recommended that you consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium daily as part of a healthy eating pattern.

When to call your provider about postpartum swelling

The majority of postpartum swelling is absolutely nothing to worry about and will go away on its own after a few days or weeks. But sometimes, it can be indicative of something more serious. Some symptoms to look out for are:

• You have swelling and pain in one leg only
• It’s painful to touch
• One of your legs or feet is discolored
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Bad headaches or dizziness
• Swelling that persists or gets worse despite home remedies

All of these could signal another, more serious issue like deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein, usually in your leg). If you’re worried about these or any other symptoms, speak to your healthcare provider as soon as you can. 

Supporting you through the postpartum period

There’s a lot going on after you give birth. From navigating a new world with a baby to changes in your body, it’s a lot to take in and understand. But we’re here with you every step of the way. Take a look at our library of postpartum content to find out other ways we can support you in learning more about what to expect during the postpartum period.