A good friend of mine came back to our home town for the Fourth of July. She's pregnant -- due at the end of August. She warned me that she "was huge." She said that people either think she's ready to deliver at any minute, or they guess that she's having twins. But she looked beautiful, as I fully expected she would. She's going to try to work right up until her delivery date, but she's dealing with some discomfort. The fact that it's summer -- and quite hot and humid -- doesn't help matters. Revolution Health has some tips for the discomforts associated with pregnancy:

• Swollen feet. Opt for flat, slip-on shoes and let your feet "breathe" throughout the day as much as possible. Check out the post I wrote that has other ideas for swollen feet.
• Exercise. Get your doctor's thumbs up first, but barring any complications, there's no reason you can't exercise. Try exercising in the morning or late evening to beat the heat, or exercise in the comfort of your air-conditioned home or gym.
• Drinking water. Drinking water is always important, but especially so when you're pregnant and in the heat. Don't worry about getting 8 servings or any other certain number -- everybody's hydration needs are different. Gauge it more on your thirst -- a dry mouth and dark-yellow urine are other signs that you're not drinking enough water.
• Skin care. Pregnancy can lead to facial blotchiness and the summer sun can exacerbate that condition. Wear sunscreen every day -- even when it's cloudy. Also, avoid itchiness loose-fitting, light-colored clothing in breathable fabrics.

Check out the full list for more tips. And be sure to visit AOL Health for more pregnancy information.

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My sister has high blood pressure. While lifestyle choices and medication keep her blood pressure in healthy ranges she can't seem to shake the edema. Despite her best efforts, her feet and ankles remain swollen and puffy. While my blood pressure is within healthy range, as soon as the weather gets hot and humid, I'm dealing with swollen feet, too.

Our bodies are designed to move water through our systems. Edema is a condition where excess fluid is retained between cells. There are many reasons you may have edema including immobility, pregnancy, heat/humidity, medications, high blood pressure, trauma, and kidney disease. If you have swollen feet, take heart. There are plenty of things you can do:

• Elevate your legs above heart level. You can use a leg wedge to raise your legs up while sleeping.
• Wear support socks.
  
• Increase your activity -- walking is a perfect exercise for helping edema.
• Avoid standing or sitting in one place for a long time. (If you are sitting for a while, try raising your feet up a bit.)
• Ask your doctor if a short-term course of diuretics would be advisable.
• If you're on high blood pressure medication, talk to your doctor about possibly modifying your medications. (Do not make any changes without speaking to your doctor.)
• Drink plenty of water.

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