retaining fluid, edema

[cynde]

I have a great, low blood pressure but having some pretty wild swelling in feet. midwife didn't seem overly concerned but wondering if any of you have any remedies for this other than standing on my head all day!

[Turkish Kate]

Nettle tea.

Keep your feet elevated whenever sitting.

Lie on your left side.

Soak your feet or take a bath.

Drink more water and salt your food to taste.

Increase your protein.

[AbbieB]

Nettle tea.

Keep your feet elevated whenever sitting.

Lie on your left side.

Soak your feet or take a bath.

Drink more water and salt your food to taste.

Increase your protein.

:yeah:

All of the above helped loads with DD. Don't underestimate a nice walk too.

[momto l&a]

Edema is a sign of B vitamin deficiency.

[cynde]

well, my preg tea has nettle in it, I am taking new chapter prenatals so I don't think I am defecient in the b vitamin, taking walks, baths, sleeping on left side and I am on a real high protein diet for my blood sugar...
guess i am destined to not have ankles for the rest of the pregnancy
thanks for the responses though - may help some other folks
didn't realize sweeling could be so uncomfortable!

[momto l&a]

You may require more B6 than you are getting in your prenats.


Other related evidence supports Dr. Suzman’s ideas. Expectant mothers of all economic and social classes, like old people, are typically very to extremely deficient in all nutrients including vitamins C and particularly B6 (pyridoxine). 57 (http://www.seanet.com/%7Ealexs/ascorbate/199x/hattersley-jg-j_orthomol_med-1993-v8-n4-p229.htm#57-Ellis), 58 (http://www.seanet.com/%7Ealexs/ascorbate/199x/hattersley-jg-j_orthomol_med-1993-v8-n4-p229.htm#58-Delport) Most such deficiencies exist in the tissue and muscle cells and erythrocytes rather an serum. And expectant mothers, like elderly people, 61 (http://www.seanet.com/%7Ealexs/ascorbate/199x/hattersley-jg-j_orthomol_med-1993-v8-n4-p229.htm#61-Vir) are deficient in B6 even though taking RDA-strength or stronger vitamin supplements. 61 (http://www.seanet.com/%7Ealexs/ascorbate/199x/hattersley-jg-j_orthomol_med-1993-v8-n4-p229.htm#61-Vir)

Their pyridoxine deficiency results from not only methionine-rich high-animal protein Western diets and the same toxic Western environments that affect us all; high dietary sugar lowers B6 and many other nutrients. The stress of pregnancy and the demands of the growing fetus further drain the mother of B6. 62 (http://www.seanet.com/%7Ealexs/ascorbate/199x/hattersley-jg-j_orthomol_med-1993-v8-n4-p229.htm#62-Gruberg) This deficiency distorts mineral balance and hormone balance as well as fluid balance. 57 (http://www.seanet.com/%7Ealexs/ascorbate/199x/hattersley-jg-j_orthomol_med-1993-v8-n4-p229.htm#57-Ellis)
This deficit shows up in such symptoms as edema (John Marion Ellis, a pioneering clinician and researcher in Mount Pleasant, Texas, reported one pregnant woman lost 15 pounds of water from her tissues after she started B6!), carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), dropping glassware, leg cramps, diabetes of pregnancy, nocturnal paralysis of the arms, muscle spasms in legs and feet. None of these conditions is normal and healthy for the mother. 57 (http://www.seanet.com/%7Ealexs/ascorbate/199x/hattersley-jg-j_orthomol_med-1993-v8-n4-p229.htm#57-Ellis)b




http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/199x/hattersley-jg-j_orthomol_med-1993-v8-n4-p229.htm

[MizLiz]

[QUOTE=
Drink more water and salt your food to taste.
[/QUOTE]

:scratch

I found that cutting as much salt as possible out of my diet has really helped with swelling of my ankles and feet... I also have great low bp but was getting terrible swelling in my ankles. maybe I'm wrong but I find if I have a higher salt consumption day then I'm sure to have swollen ankles by the end of the day... If I keep my salt down then there's no swelling at all.

Salt causes your body to retain water and I don't think that adding extra to your food would help at all...

[Wild Flowers]

There are a few foods that you can eat to help, watermelon is one that I know, you could probably search natural diurectics. And dandelion tea is good for your kidneys, and should help to flush some of it. Massage is great. I had servere edema with my first, I looked like the marshmellow puff woman. the second I had it pretty bad, massage helps.

[sparkprincess]

I'm def. going to try the B6. With my first pregnancy I had a lot of swelling and I was following the Brewer (Brewster?) diet so I know I was getting plenty of protein and plenty of salt. This time around I've been getting plenty of protein, but I have DEF. noticed that if I have a high-sodium meal I swell more. So, personally, I wouldn't cut salt out, but I would be wary of high-salt meals, ya know?

[Turkish Kate]

:scratch

I found that cutting as much salt as possible out of my diet has really helped with swelling of my ankles and feet... I also have great low bp but was getting terrible swelling in my ankles. maybe I'm wrong but I find if I have a higher salt consumption day then I'm sure to have swollen ankles by the end of the day... If I keep my salt down then there's no swelling at all.

Salt causes your body to retain water and I don't think that adding extra to your food would help at all...

There is a big difference between "salt your food to taste" and "increase your salt intake." Someone who has a very high salt intake may very well benefit from lowering her salt/sodium intake. However, it is rarely a good idea for pregnant women to restrict sodium intake, as your body metabolizes sodium differently while pregnant and a low sodium diet actually contributes to edema and high blood pressure.

A certain amount of lower extremity edema is normal during pregnancy due to the increased fluid volume that pregnant mamas have. Yes, it can be uncomfortable (I'm dealing with it, too).

To the OP--try drinking straight nettle tea. I also have a proprietary tea blend that contains nettle and it doesn't do jack for the swelling. However, a cup of straight nettle tea (with honey) helps a lot more for me.

[cynde]

thanks for all the tips

[sandsprite]

with my second pregnancy I have swollen ankles and my viens are terrible. they were heading this way with 3 years of lifeguarding and 11 years of 12 hour shifts as a nurse. but this time I had horribly achy legs too.

I got support stockings and what a difference!!! legs feel great now.

[MMGerard]

I second (third?) the recommendations for vitamin B6, as well as putting your feet up when you can, drinking plenty of water, and eating enough protein (something like 80 - 100 grams, I think).