Please help stop this train wreck! (swelling and weight gain)

[sanguine_speed]

Hi Mamas,

I usually hang out in the September DDC, but I'm on the border.

Anyway, I took my socks off the other day and realized what huge indentations my socks left behind because of the swelling in my legs!

I've also already gained about 15 pounds and started about 20 pounds overweight (ish).

I am especially concerned because I was induced at 38 weeks with my first pregnancy due to preeclampsia. I really want to avoid this again!

I gained the weight because I was going to the gym 5 times a week but haven't been able to due to nausea/vomiting and migraines since 4 weeks. Also, I found that constantly nibbling on food was easing my nausea in the first trimester.

Now that the nausea has eased up, and hopefully the headaches will soon too, I'm wondering whether you know if I can reduce the swelling I have somehow? Is this inevitable? Is this just my body's response or am I causing this? What can I do to reverse it (if anything)? If I cut out all "junk" food, and eat healthfully, can I reduce swelling? Back to exercising more?

I'm really worried about a transfer of care and missing out on my first planned homebirth.

Thanks!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed

Now that the nausea has eased up, and hopefully the headaches will soon too, I'm wondering whether you know if I can reduce the swelling I have somehow? Is this inevitable? Is this just my body's response or am I causing this? What can I do to reverse it (if anything)? If I cut out all "junk" food, and eat healthfully, can I reduce swelling? Back to exercising more?

I've been told by midwives that it is controllable with proper diet. Whether or not it works, it can't hurt to try.

[emmalola]

I've heard that low salt, high protein really helps with high blood pressure. And get back on the exercise thing- I know it really helps me with all my symptoms, including nausea and headaches.

[Momsteader]

Look into prenatal yoga as well! There are some inverted positions using a wall for support that are GREAT for swelling and BP!! I used them at the end of my pregnancy when my BP was borderline and I was put on bedrest. I only needed a week and then as much inverted positions against the wall as I could get and my BP was back down and doing well.

Drink LOTS of water!!!!

[PiePie]

i have heard massage helps. i totally feel you on the m/s screwing with the best-laid exercse plans -- i have 2 unopened prenatal exercise dvds. : i was no gym bunny but in decent shape. now : my muscles have probably atrophied...

[danotoyou2]

I had pre-e with my first, too. This time, I'm sticking to a good diet (low carbs, high protein, no 'white' foods), exercise (30 minute walk 5 days per week) and lots, and LOTS of water!!! This is what's been prescribed to me by some awesome midwives that I know.

Even if you can't get back into the swing of things at the gym, go for a walk every weekday. 30 minutes really isn't that much.

There's the low-salt thing, but I'd first try adjusting diet, exercise and liquids first. Those should clear things up if anything will!

[sanguine_speed]

So do you think it's possible to "reverse" the swelling, or are you suggesting ways to prevent what's already happening? I hope I can improve this situation.

[mama2walden&luna]

Yes, I definitely believe diet and excercise are very important for avoiding the problems you are dealing with. My midwife has me on this diet:

lots of veggies
only 2 servings of fruit per day
whole grains
lots of lean protein (not sausage, fried meats, etc)
no white rice
no white flour
no white potatoes
no corn
no peas or carrots (both high in sugar)
tons and tons of water
raspberry leaf tea 3 times a day

I also do prenatal yoga (gaiam puts out a great video www.gaiam.com), and water aerobics.

[ani'smommy]

Have you seen the Brewer's Diet? I'm doing a somewhat modified version, as I had pre-e with Anneke, too.

He really advises against not eating enough and against eating a low-salt diet.

[mamamoo]

www.blueribbonbaby.org

[sanguine_speed]

Originally Posted by walden's momma

Yes, I definitely believe diet and excercise are very important for avoiding the problems you are dealing with. My midwife has me on this diet:

I'm seeking the differentiation between "avoiding" and "fixing". I have already failed to avoid.

[alisonsage]

i am glad that you are feeling better!!! it's so hard when you are feeling sick to stick to regime!!!

i just want to second alot of the recomendations in pps. walking daily is awesome- not only is it aerobic but it should help with venous return in your ankles and help reduce the edema. yoga should help as well and will keep your stress level down.

i would cut out as much junk food a spossible- anything overprocessed, chemical laden and overrefined.

i think that if you get serious about walking and your diet you can definitely turn things around.

[eri_flores]

sanguine speed, the difference between avoiding and fixing seems to be not so important now... Do the best you can do and the result will hopefully be "fixing". It seems that you can only get better with efforts. I was going to second the Dr Brewer diet at blueribbonbaby and also second whoever said that low-salt is *not* really recommended these days. I think with walking, or whatever other types of exercise you can do, lots of water and a high protein diet where you limit sugars and especially white carbs, you should see results. If you have a pool available to you, swimming is excellent for swelling because the pressure that water exerts on your body forces water from the tissues back into circulation where the body can then dispose of it. Best of luck with this and I hope you just keep feeling better and better!

[sanguine_speed]

Well, I'm feeling better these days, and I've lost a few pounds. I'm not concerned about the loss because I'm still up 12 pounds, and I'm eating well and overweight to begin with. Thanks all for your advice.

[kristen1978]

I would agree with the other posters that diet is the best way to combat this, except I disagree about restricting salt -- often the problem is the exact opposite! Salt to taste, get enough protein, and drink more water. Also, are you taking any herbs to support your liver? I would look into milk thistle, etc. HTH.