water retention! Where did my ankles go?

[Headymama]

ugh, this is the worst part of pregnancy. It's not just my ankles, my fingers and legs are all swollen too! I drink lots of water and watch my salt. It seems as though the warm weather is affecting me too. Anyone have suggestions?

deanna

[sarajane]

Well, first off I don't believe in "watching your salt". Read what it says about it here: www.blueribbonbaby.org

That site and other articles and books I have read convinced me and I have not had a problem with swelling at all until just about a week or so ago and it isn't bad. I only swell when I work TOO much other than that I don't swell at all. So I really am not buying the whole salt causes swelling bit and feel good about my decision to make sure and keep salt in my diet every day.

And when I do too much and swell a bit making sure my feet are cool (well, and the rest of me for that matter, cool wash cloths are nice) and elevated for a good while makes it go down for me. That is all the advice I have, I hope it helps you some!

[heket]

Dd was born in early August. I was swollen in hands and feet for a good 3 weeks at the end of that pregnancy and I think it was mostly heat related (maybe salt was an issue, but I didn't become aware of that until I started talking to my MW about this pregnancy). Anyway, the only things that helped are exactly what sarajane suggested: staying cool and keeping my feet elevated. With dd I was working full time, so I had to make good use of all my breaks for putting my feet up and having small snacks -- this came out about every 2-3 hours.

Now that I'm approaching week 36, I've begun to notice my feet swelling at work. So up they've been going when I can. I work part time, but I'm still here at least 6 hours, plus I have an hour commute each way so it's still a long day.

[aprildawn]

you know the bones on the inside of your ankles? i can barely see mine anymore. today is the worst. the weather is warmer and i've been busy the last few days. i think it's resulted in some swollen ankles. it's not attractive.

[ctdoula]

Can you get your feet way up while you're sleeping? I've found it helps so much!

[danaalex]

i can officially join the " NO ANKLES ALLOWED" club now. as of this weekend mine are a thing of the past. i have horrible pitting edema from my feet to the middle of my calves. some of my shoes refuse to fit too, how rude!!!!! this always happens to me at the end of my pregnancies. i was really hoping it wouldn't happen this time because i'm eatting more protein, drinking tons of water, and living in a cooler climate this time around. oh well, no such luck.

hang in there!!!