Swelling???

[mojobot2000]

So I'm reaching the home stretch, and I'm been having a lot more discomfort, of various kinds. (Up until a few weeks ago, this was a totally easy pregnancy.) The latest? Crazy swelling in my feet, ankles, and legs. I was cooking and doing dishes for about an hour and a half the other night, wearing slippers instead of shoes, and I ignored my aching feet for a while...when I finally couldn't stand it and got into bed and put my feet up on a bolster -- wow! I've never seen my ankles so think.

The thing that really freaked me out is this: There's a spot on my right leg, directly over my shinbone, about 3-4 inches long, midway between my ankle and knee, that you can dent with your finger. I just noticed it the other night, but since then it's always like that. I've been making more of an effort to take breaks throughout the day, lie on my left side, and elevate my legs, but it's still there -- even when I first wake up in the morning. The rest of me is puffy, but not dent-able -- this spot is like memory foam, it's crazy. And only on the one leg.

Saw my midwife last Tuesday, seeing her again Wednesday (two days). My blood pressure has been normal (even on the low side) throughout the pregnancy, and I'm active -- at least a decent-sized walk, usually a trip to the gym, every day -- and drinking lots of water. Trying to make sure I get enough protein (it's possible I wasn't being quite as diligent about that as I should've been).

Any sense of how normal this is? Is it worth calling my midwife before Wednesday to make sure my BP is still okay? I'm really afraid of being risked out of a homebirth...

[Mrs.Oz]

I had the same thing start at about 36 weeks...my calves felt so tight from all the swelling and I could barely bend my foot from all the ankle swelling. My practitioners have just been watching me carefully. BP has been ok, but on the high end of normal, had slightly elevated protein levels, but no other PIH symptoms. The lower DD has dropped in my pelvis, however, the better it has gotten (which seems weird to me, I'd think that would make it worse.) I still get swelling, but for the last week at least it's gone in the morning (whereas in previous weeks almost nothing made it go away). As long as your BP and other signs are ok, the swelling can be normal (I had it too with DS, just not as bad as this time). It's probably not a bad idea to call your mw to have her check things out just to be safe.

[Jojo F.]

I have been swelling for a litle while now and have the "pitting edema". It can be a completely normal part of pregnancy and a good sign that you need to put your feet up & take an epsom salt bath.

As long as you have no other symtoms for PIH or pre-e you should be fine. But go ahead and let the MW know so she can keep an eye on it.

[MeadowAndColtsMama]

My feet and legs were VERY swollen the last 7 weeks or so of pg. with dd. But my bp was fine and I had no other probs, delivered vaginally on edd. I wouldn't be too worried. I expected the same this time (due in 2 weeks) but have had none. I don't know why or what's different? As I can tell, I haven't done anything different.

[jr'smom]

Originally Posted by Jojo F.

It can be a completely normal part of pregnancy and a good sign that you need to put your feet up & take an epsom salt bath.

As long as you have no other symtoms for PIH or pre-e you should be fine. But go ahead and let the MW know so she can keep an eye on it.

Exactly! Good advice! I've been taking an epsom salt bath every night lately. It helps.

[mojobot2000]

Update: Saw my MW this morning, blood pressure is a little up from what's normal for me -- 112/68 instead of 100/60. No protein in the urine, no headaches or other symptoms. MW advised me to spend more time reclining throughout the day -- aye aye, doc! Good thing I work at home. I asked her if exercise and going to the gym is still okay, and she said she can't really tell unless she can take a BP reading during the workout...but that I should go ahead as long as it doesn't make the swelling worse, or give me headaches or visual disturbances. I'm a little worried about that -- my workouts keep me sane, and I DON'T do well without regular exercise. We'll see...hopefully all will stay well, and this little girl will be born in a couple of weeks and take all the pressure off. (Due 1/27, no real hopes that she'll come early.)

[Jojo F.]

Good to hear everything is good.

And about the BP- even if you are a little nervous it will come back slightly elavated plus we have a higher amount of blood in our bodies so it's bound to bounce around a little bit.

I have to keep reminding myself about all of this too!!