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Puffy Eyes During Pregnancy

When you get pregnant, you expect that your midsection and a few other parts of your body, (like your hands, fingers, feet and ankles) will swell up. However, did you know that you could also experience puffy eyes during pregnancy?

Many of the changes that occur during pregnancy take place because of hormonal fluctuations in your body. Swollen or puffy eyes could be one of the less-desirable side effects of pregnancy that you experience. Though puffiness in the eyes is hardly a cause of concern during pregnancy it can lead to a lot of discomfort.

It is still not clear why some women get swollen and puffy eyes when they are pregnant while others don't. However, if you have been noticing swelling in your hands, fingers and feet, it is quite likely that the undesirable eye-bags will make an appearance too.

What are the symptoms?

Puffy eyes symptoms during pregnancy are hard to miss, as you will immediately realize that your eyelids look and feel heavier. The degree of swelling should be the same in both your eyes. For some women, the puffiness is seen in the upper and lower eyelids, but in others, it is usually just the lower eyelids that swell up (eye bags). The puffiness is generally the maximum when you wake up from your sleep, or in case you have strained your eyes. However, as the day progresses, the swelling may abate a bit. At times, the skin around the eyes may also darken a bit during pregnancy.

Causes of puffy eyes in pregnancy

There are two factors due to which your eyes may swell up during pregnancy. The two puffy eyes causes include -

• Water retention: The surge in pregnancy hormones causes your body to retain water when you are pregnant and this becomes evident when different parts of your body, perhaps even your eyes, begin to bloat.
• Lack of adequate sleep: Many moms-to-be often complain of fatigue and tiredness, because they do not get enough sleep during the day. If you sleep for less than 8 hours a day, it could be the cause of puffiness under your eyes.

In case the swelling in your eyes occurs all of a sudden and causes a lot of discomfort, speak to your doctor about it right away. In some instances, puffy eyes during pregnancy could be an indication of preeclampsia.

Treat puffy eyes during pregnancy

As long as your doctor confirms that the swelling in and around your eyes during pregnancy is not a cause of concern, there are several steps you can take, to obtain get from the discomfort. The treatment for puffy eyes during pregnancy will usually include simple self-care steps and home remedies, as medication should be avoided as far as possible. Some of the steps you could take to treat puffy eyes during pregnancy include -

• Drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water and other healthy liquids during the day
• Follow an exercise routine, which includes at least half an hour or walking or swimming, 5 days a week
• Get an adequate amount of sleep (8 hours) and rest each day
• Lie down for about 10 minutes or so, with your feet elevated a few times a day
• Restrict your intake of salt and other unhealthy foods, like fried food, junk, sweets, coffee and caffeinated products

If the swelling in your eyes does not lessen in spite of following the steps mentioned above, it may be best for you to visit your doctor

Home remedies for puffy eyes

Fortunately, you can reduce the swelling and discomfort caused by puffy eyes quite easily. All you need to do is place something cold on your eyes when you wake up in the morning or whenever you feel the heaviness getting worse. There are several home remedies for puffy eyes that can be used during pregnancy, some of which include -

• Bags of frozen peas or berries
• Chilled and used tea bags (avoid herbal tea bags, unless you have checked with a doctor)
• Cool cucumber slices
• Eye gel
• Grated, chilled potato
• Ice cubes wrapped in a thick towel

While these home remedies for puffy eyes are quite safe if used correctly, it is best to check with a doctor before trying any of them.

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