After pregnancy, estrogen gradually increases clinically as the embryo settles into the body, and as the fetus grows and develops, estrogen can increase thousands of times. Because estrogen can cause water and sodium retention in the body, the vast majority of pregnant women develop edema. If there is proteinuria or elevated blood pressure, it must be ruled out that the edema is caused by hyperemesis gravidarum. The uterus is relatively sensitive under the effect of estrogen, so when you touch the enlarged uterus with your hand, it may contract, which is normal.