Postpartum swelling

[Surfacing]

My right foot and both hands are swollen to an uncomfortable level, incl. carpal tunnel tingling even in the foot! My foot started about a week before ds was born and it's only increased since (and added hands).

WTH??? Anybody else? Any suggestions for reducing the swelling? It's soooo uncomfortable. TIA

[sarmis35]

Not sure how far post partum you are, but it took mine a full three days to subside. I had major swelling in my feet and ankles for about 4 weeks before birth. Nothing really helped me with keeping it down except when I slept at night. A reclined position for that many hours is hard to do any other time though.

[funkymum]

If you're facing hot weather, an ice bath for your foot might help. Have you tried the homeopathic remedy Arnica Montana? I used it for my bottom's postpartum swelling, but it is a great remedy for any bruising and swelling.

[terra-pip]

I'm not sure if this is what you're experiencing...but this is the first time I've still had swelling PP...and my second was a summer baby too. My MW said it was my body trying to get rid of the excess fluids from pregnancy and that bfing would aggravate it as well.

The remedy is to not sit for very long or be on your feet for very long. Thats hard with my two boys here...but I try to lay down with the baby whenever I can for all the obvious reasons. And not to just sit with her for a long time. I'm definitely up and around more with three kiddos than I was with my other two...and I even have husband home more this time??? hmmm?

Hopefully it passes with rest. I'm also trying to stay out of the heat as much as possible.

[MissAnnThrope]

I ran into my midwife today and asked her about this myself. She said it can take up to 2 weeks before it goes away and it is normal. So maybe two more weeks of this fun stuff.

[amberdcm]

although my preg-carpal tunel has subsided since giving birth, the top of my feet between my big toe and its neighboring toe is still extremely sore and tight-swollen feeling. At 14 days post-partum its only slightly starting to feel better.

I think the swelling must take a bit to go down fully. Summer heat probably doesn't help much.

[Surfacing]

Thanks all for weighing in. The MWs came today and said I should be lying down more... I think all the sitting I'm doing (to nurse, read, go on MDC , talk to the kids, etc) aggravates it. I should also stop doing stuff and get back to taking it easy. OTOH, my MW also said I should try to take a short walk or something, just to get my circulation going in a healthy way, but also rest rest rest rest otherwise. My job is to make breastmilk and nurse baby now (day 3).

Drink lots of water, eat watermelon and cucumber. She too said my milk coming in and the engorgement affects not just breast tissue. I am sweating and peeing a lot so I can see that's related to dumping some of the extra fluids.

I had been drinking herbal teas a lot but think I'd better just switch to water. Drinking lots of water today plus lying down lots with my feet up and napping has seemed to help some.

Interestingly, lying down flat seems to help reduce my afterpains.

[terra-pip]

yep that's been me the last nearly 3 weeks. rest and sitting and walking (though my walking consists of walking the house with the babe or strolling about in the back yard with my 3 year old).

I have been making iced tea with raspberry leaf or Mothers Milk...its cool and just weak and watered down enough that I feel I'm getting herbal and plain water benefits!

Haven't heard about watermelon or cucumber helping...but I love both those things!!! I only notice swelling too if I've been sitting or it's really hot. Also the PP sweating has just started for me....ugh!