What to do about swollen ankles?

[Niamh]

So I'm a week over my ODD (and expect to be at least another week). I've had absolutely no swelling the whole pregnancy. However, yesterday I spent the entire day on the computer doing a favor for my sister, and had swollen ankles afterward.

Today, my left ankle is swollen still-very swollen. What can I do to cut down on the swelling?

[pamamidwife]

drink more water, add salt to taste to your diet, eat water rich foods (watermelon, celery, cucumbers), soak in an epsom-salt bath, keep your feet up (but not too long) and lie on your left side.

all the extra fluid will totally help with recuperating after any blood loss and help make milk! yayay!

(easier said from someone without swollen ankles, eh?)

[Kidzaplenty]

What can you do? Don't sit at the computer!

Seriously, though, I find that when I am at the computer for any length of time, my ankles swell a lot. I have to drink plenty of water and prop my feet up after to make them go back to normal I think it has something to do with being real pg and sitting straight and cutting off the regular blood flow in your legs.

[AnnesMoM]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

What can you do? Don't sit at the computer!

Yeah, I had that problem and my midwife told me I wasn't walking enough. Co-Enzyme Q10 helps with varicose veins if you're having those, too.

[Niamh]

Thank you!

[ErinBird]

I'm 40+ weeks and for the last month I've been haing swellign to various degrees in my ankles.

Theres a happy medium for me- too much sitting or too much standing increases the swelling. I can't possibly drink enough water. I've had some success increasing the salt content of my diet (which is naturally pretty low in salt), as well as overloading on protein for a day or two. I have a strong suspicion that my occasional sugar indulgences increase swelling. Rolling my ankles around for a m inute or two throughout the day helps. Sitting in the tub with cool water running over my feet is also helpful.

[art4heart]

I've found keeping my ankles elevated and drinking nettle tea throughout the day helps. When I'm at the computer, I keep my feet up on a file box tucked under my desk. My massage therapist also did wonders for me a couple weeks ago - she knew just the right techniques and places to work to get the swelling down. Love that lady.....

[CJ 5]

NIAMH
I Pm'ed you
I hope the swelling goes down soon. I think you have some good advice. I put my feet up a lot at the end of my pregnancy and I also think eating a bit more protien and a bit less carbs/pasta etc helps your body reduce water. Lots of froot and I would maybe even try something with potassium in it like a sports type drink. I am thinking of you and hope all is well.
CJ