Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy is contraindicated within the first 3 months of gestation but after this period is optimal to activate blood circulation and decrease swelling of the legs, feet and face, eliminating excess fluid through the urine.
Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy should be done by a physiotherapist or massage therapist, and should not be performed at home because the belly, back and feet have stimulant points that can lead to premature labor.
It is important to emphasize that manual lymphatic drainage is a very light type of massage where there is no application of force. Learn other ways to eliminate swelling in: Fluid retention, what to do.
Contraindications of lymphatic drainage in pregnancy
Although lymphatic drainage can be done during pregnancy, it is contraindicated in some cases, such as:
- Pregnancy risk;
- Uncontrolled hypertension;
- Renal insufficiency;
- Deep vein thrombosis;
- Diseases related to the lymphatic system.
In addition, as of the second semester of pregnancy, the pregnant woman may have more difficulty in lymphatic drainage in the legs due to the size of the belly, however, she may ask the other person to do the drainage.
How to do lymphatic drainage in pregnancy
The lymphatic drainage in pregnancy can be done on the legs, arms and face, for that, you should pass moisturizer on the skin and then follow the following steps:
Step 1 - Stimulate the major lymph nodes
The points shown in the image show exactly the regions that should be stimulated by the pumping maneuver for 5 to 7 consecutive times, always at the beginning and at the end of lymphatic drainage.
This stimulation is necessary to empty the region so that it can receive the liquid that will be drained.
Step 2 - Slide the regions to be drained
With smooth and repeated movements, of 5 to 7 times per area, one must slide the hands always in the direction of the arrows illustrated by the images.
How to Do Lymphatic Drainage in Legs
Massage for lymphatic drainage in the legs helps reduce swelling of the legs at the end of the day and should be done as follows:
- Slide the hands from the knee to the groin, repeating 7 times;
- Slip hands from the ankle to the groin, repeating 7 times;
- Place your hands on the back of the knee and slide to the groin, repeating 5-10 times.
How to Do Lymphatic Drainage in Arms
Lymphatic drainage in the arms is a great way to relieve the accumulation of fluids in the hands and arms and can be done by following the following steps:
- Slide the hand from the elbow to the armpit, repeating 7 times in front of and behind the arm;
- Slide the hand from the wrist to the armpit, repeating 7 times in front of and behind the arm.
How to Do Lymphatic Drainage on the Face
The lymphatic drainage technique on the face helps to eliminate the small swelling that arises near the nose and under the eyes and can be done as follows:
- Slide the fingertips from the nose to the ears, repeating 8 times;
- Slide the fingertips from the outer corner of the eye to the root of the hair, repeating 5 times;
- Slide the fingertips from the inner corner of the eye to the root of the hair, repeating 7 times;
To improve the results of lymphatic drainage, it is advised that the pregnant woman drink at least 2 liters of water a day, walk 30 minutes a day, wear comfortable clothes and prefer fruit, lean meats and vegetables.
Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage in Pregnancy
The benefits of lymphatic drainage in pregnancy include:
- Decreased swelling in the legs and feet;
- Improvement of blood circulation;
- Decreased risk of developing varicose veins;
- Improved nutrition of cells and tissues;
- Promotes good relaxation.
Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy will help decrease the tired legs and the discomfort of the ankles and swollen feet, contributing to a better quality of life of the pregnant woman. In postpartum the drainage will eliminate excess fluid from the mother's body and improve its defenses.
It is recommended to perform 1 session of lymphatic drainage per week, throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
Other ways to decrease pregnancy swelling in:
- Diuretic tea
- Diuretic juice of pineapple
- How to prevent swollen ankles in pregnancy
