Swelling... again :(

[mamanoish]

I posted about this a while back, but it's even worse now than it was before. I started getting slightly swollen at around 20 weeks. It would happen if I was on my feet a lot but would be better almost immediately if I put my feet up.

WELL, now I'm in my 35th week and I feel like an umpa lumpa. I am SO swollen that I've started maternity leave early and I'm working only from home. My MW isn't concerned because my BP is usually normal, a few high readings here and there but I take it daily at home and it is almost always fine. But I have had a lot of stress lately with a best friend having medical complications which I think has contributed to my BP issue. No protein in my urine. Just crazy, crazy swollen feet. 

Now when I go to bed I sleep with my feet up... and I wake up in the morning and they're still slightly swollen.  Within two hours of normal housework.. I'm a balloon. A few people make comments to me that it's not normal and I should be on bed rest, which kinda freaks me out. 

[ozzyemm]

:(  I hate when people give out free advice.  It's usually worth what you paid for it, I'm afraid.  :hug

[34me]

OK, this is free advice for take it for what it's worth ;-0.  Does it go up your legs at all?  Does it burn, are your legs red or irritated?  I had phlebitis (no clots) with my first pregnancy.  I was on bed rest for the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy with her.  BP and protein were fine.  I was just really swollen and uncomfortable.  She was always fine.

[Jaysmylilpunkin]

I read this because I"m having the same issue and it's starting to freak me out a little bit. This is my third and I was swollen from the beginning with my first and was fine the whole time. I didn't swell at all with my second and this one I haven't been swollen except for now. And it DOES go up my legs, to around my calf and my legs are a little red and irritated. What is that? I never thought anything of it until you posted!

[mamanoish]

It goes up my ankles, lower shins but never above the knee. No redness or anything. If I take a hot bath I notice that they're tingly and numb afterwards. It's so uncomfortable and embarrassing. :-(

[parsley]

Mamanoish - I'm sorry you are feeling so awkward and uncomfortable.  Is there anything you can do to help besides keeping your feet up?  Any herbs or tea?  Fennel maybe?  I don't know if it's safe during pregnancy but it has always helped me with water retention. 

As for the unsolicited advice... I really wish people would mind their own business.  Can I tell you how many people have suggested I should be on bed rest so far?  I'm tempted to point out that I appreciate them sharing their hard earned medical degree with me but that maybe their generosity of medical advice would be better used in caring for the uninsured, injured, or indigent.  Seems to me we might have a solution to the health care crisis in that plan :)  So far, I haven't gotten that sarcastic but it's hard...

[mamanoish]

Parsley- I will ask my MW on Wednesday about herbs that could help. I've noticed in the last few days that it's been less bad than it was... but still pretty bad. If I lean my foot against something I have huge pitting and they look deformed :( 

[parsley]

Mamnoish - I saw a thread in the January DDC where a mama posted a recipe for a tea that her midwife recommended to bring down swelling.  The ingredients looked innocuous to me.  You might want to check it out. 

[mamanoish]

Originally Posted by parsley 

Mamnoish - I saw a thread in the January DDC where a mama posted a recipe for a tea that her midwife recommended to bring down swelling.  The ingredients looked innocuous to me.  You might want to check it out. 

Thank you!! I'll definitely check it out. I have been ok the past two days, but this evening it is starting to flare up again.