Drainage in pregnancy

Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy is contraindicated in the first 3 months of pregnancy but after that period it is great for activating blood circulation and reducing swelling in the legs, feet and face, eliminating excess fluid through the urine.

Lymphatic drainage during pregnancy should be done by a physiotherapist or massage therapist, and should not be performed at home because the belly, back and feet have stimulating points that can cause premature birth.

It is important to emphasize that manual lymphatic drainage is a very light type of massage in which there is no application of force. Discover other ways to eliminate swelling at: Fluid retention, what to do.

Benefits of lymphatic drainage in pregnancy

The benefits of lymphatic drainage in pregnancy include:

Decreased swelling in the legs and feet; Improved blood circulation; Decreased risk of developing varicose veins; Improved nutrition of cells and tissues; Promotes good relaxation.

Lymphatic drainage during pregnancy will help to reduce tired legs and discomfort in swollen ankles and feet, contributing to a better quality of life for pregnant women. Postpartum drainage will eliminate excess fluids from the mother's body and improve her defenses.

It is recommended to perform 1 session of lymphatic drainage per week, throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

How to do lymphatic drainage in pregnancy

Stimulate lymph nodes

Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy can be done on the legs, arms and face, for that, you must apply moisturizing cream on the skin and then follow the following steps:

Step 1 - Stimulate the main lymph nodes

The points shown in the image show exactly the regions that must be stimulated through the pumping maneuver for 5 to 7 times in a row, always at the beginning and at the end of the 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, 5 to 7 times per area, you should always slide your hands in the direction of the arrows illustrated by the images.

How to do DLM on the legs

The massage for lymphatic drainage in the legs helps to reduce swelling of the legs at the end of the day and should be done as follows:

Slide your hands from the knee to the groin, repeating 7 times; Slide your 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 between 5 to 10 times.

How to do DLM in your 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 the back of the arm; Slide the hand from the wrist to the armpit, repeating 7 times in front of the back of the arm.

How to do DLM on the face

The lymphatic drainage technique on the face helps to eliminate the small swelling that appears 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 hair root, repeating 5 times; Slide the fingertips from the inner corner of the eye to the root hair, repeating 7 times;

To improve the results of lymphatic drainage, it is recommended that the pregnant woman drink at least 2 liters of water a day, walk 30 minutes a day, wear comfortable clothes and give preference to fruits, lean meats and vegetables.

When not to

Although lymphatic drainage can be done during pregnancy, it is contraindicated in some cases, such as:

Risk pregnancy; Uncontrolled hypertension; Renal failure; Deep vein thrombosis; Diseases related to the lymphatic system.

In addition, from the 2nd semester of pregnancy, the pregnant woman may have more difficulty to perform lymphatic drainage in the legs, due to the size of the belly, however, she may ask another person to do the drainage.