Swelling

[MsGrizzle]

Anyone experiencing swelling? My ankles feel a little puffy today - but don't really look swollen (odd)! And I definitely don't see imprints or anything when I touch them.

I sleep on my left side with my arm under the pillow. This past week I've woken up with it feeling numb and puffy. I'm not sure where else to put the arm when I'm sleeping! After I'm up and moving and drinking water, it goes back to normal and my rings fit okay. Is this unusual?

P.S. Have my ultrasound today (finally - at 22 weeks) at 2pm! Can't wait!

[midwestmom]

I am swelling alittle too-I can't wear my wedding ring anymore. I have a plain silver band that I wear right now. I wouldn't worry about it as long as your blood pressure is ok and the swelling isn't really huge.

[bugnbean]

I find by the end of the day my feet are swollen. And my socks are leaving imprints on my legs.

[momsmyjob]

Drinking water will help with swelling :)

[Jade2561]

I don't swell unless I am really busy and up on my feet all day. They get very sore as well. I had a horrible case of cankles with my first pregnancy! :lol

[midwestmom]

I got the coolest socks from costco the other day. They are called 'the softest socks in the world' or something like that. I feel like I am walking on clouds and no annoying sock lines and itching.

And drink your water!

[ksjhwkr]

Yipee on your ultrasound!!!

Ok as for swelling...I was SO swollen with Emma, it wasn't even funny!!! I gained 20 lbs. in the last 2 weeks of my pregnancy!!! It was terrible.

With Seth, I was really worried about that and my midwife gave me some FABULOUS advice...that I will pass onto you! :) Eat LOTS of protien and immerse yourself in water. Go swimming for at least 30 minutes (if not more) a few times a week. This will really help. I wasn't swollen with Seth at all and could wear my wedding ring at 37 weeks still!!!!

Yeah, and drink TONS of water!!! and don't limit your salt intake, this will make it worse!

[MsGrizzle]

Thanks for the BTDTs. I drink a TON of water and eat a ton of protein so I think I'm okay on that front! My BP was fine when I had it taken on the 24th. I am pretty overweight so I do worry myself to death, even when I know some swelling is normal! Ooh, I wish I had a place to go swimming! Can't afford a membership right now. We have a pool in the yard but it is ice right now. ;) Would floating in my jacuzzi tub help? I normally hate baths (I know, I'm weird) but if it helped I might somehow convince myself to do it!

[bfoster2000]

Like the others said, drink plenty of water. I never heard to NOT limit your salt intake (did I read that right?) my OB and midwife both told me I SHOULD limit my salt because salt makes you retain water. It's probably one of those things where there are lots of variables but I'll definitely ask more questions this time.

One thing I thought was funny when I was pg with DJ was that everyone kept telling me I should prop my feet up because my legs were SO swollen (it was REALLY bad...I got stretch marks on my ANKLES and the only shoes I could wear were dh's birkenstocks on the loosest setting!! Most days I'd wear those into work but by lunchtime even they were too tight so I'd just go barefooted for the rest of the day...good thing my coworkers were sympathetic!) Anyway, my midwife told me NOT to keep my feet propped up. She explained that if I'm sitting in a chair with my feet propped up in front of me (which is how I spent much of the day at work), then the weight on my hips is limiting the circulation to/from my legs...making the swelling worse. She told me to make sure that I got up and walked around at least every half an hour to keep the blood flowing. She said that if I was able, I should lie down so that my whole body was level or I could lie down with my feet elevated above my heart, but not to sit in an L-shape position with my feet propped up because that would make it worse. The walking helped some but to be perfectly honest, the only that really helped was delivery. It was several weeks after DJ was born before the swelling went down completely.

Good luck!

Barb

[MsGrizzle]

Yes, I've heard not to limit salt intake (check out www.blueribbonbaby.org - first one that comes to mind) - this is due to the increased need for salt due to the significant increase in blood volume. I've read that limiting salt intake can actually make the swelling worse!

[bfoster2000]

Hmm...thanks for that link. I'm definitely going to have to do some more research but I like the idea of not having to worry about limiting salt (honestly, I didn't worry about it all that much last time despite the swelling and all the advice!) I wonder if it has to do with the fact that I was having just swelling but no blood pressure problems? My blood pressure was actually low (not dangerously so, but lower than average) throughout my pregnancy and they were always surprised at that. That website seems to be focused mostly on the link between salt and high blood pressure (from the brief look I just took) so I wonder if that's the difference. Either way, like I said, it looks like I've got some research to do. THanks!!

Barb

[MsGrizzle]

Barb,

Here is a general one not necessarily related to BP:

http://www.storknet.com/experts/nutrition/cd23.htm

[bfoster2000]

Thanks again...so it sounds like moderation is the key. Don't try to cut out salt, but don't go nuts on the salty potato chips either? That makes sense... Thanks for clarifying for me!

[elsanne]

Starting the swell here too...what I find helps is if I can find 10 minutes a day, if I'm lucky several times, to lay on my back and put my feet up on something (not cutting it off at the hips like sitting and putting feet up). use the moment to do some ankle rolls and calf stretches.