Retaining Water - How to stop?

[Pyxi]

Anyone have advice to keep from retaining water, or lose retained water? Some days my feet and hands are so swollen and uncomfortable...yesterday morning I could see the bones in my feet and then yesterday afternoon my feet actually jiggled when I walked. I weighed myself in the AM and PM and in the PM I was 4 lbs heavier with water weight.

My BP is fine, I drink lots of water, and I walk daily. I'm currently 37 weeks pg.

I guess I'm just looking for dietary advice or any other advice to keep from feeling like an overinflated blowfish all the time.

[brookibabe]

Butchers Broom!!! You can get it at your local Health Foods store. I used this with #1 for swelling and it worked like a charm. My midwife told me again this time with #2 that if I see any signs of swelling then start taking it and continue taking it throughout the pregnancy. Just follow the dosage on the bottle. Hope that helps:)

[momto l&a]

B vitamins B-6 in particular.

[twilight girl]

drink more water, look out for hidden sodium? Make sure you get breaks during the day to get your feet up?

Doesn't sound fun, so I hope you find some relief!

[RumiWithAView]

My midwife recommended a slice of lemon in my water because she said it's a mild diuretic.

[momto l&a]

Preggos need salt, we are supposed to salt food to taste.

[hubris]

If you have time for it, take a nap in the afternoon with your feet up. Your kidneys work more efficiently when you're asleep. Worked wonders for me during my last pregnancy. :)

[AbbieB]

Preggos need salt, we are supposed to salt food to taste.

:yeah:

I know it's not the advice that is commonly given but it is true. You need salt in your diet to maintain the correct fluid balance in your body. As your blood volume expands it becomes even more important. Try eating some salty snacks like a few crackers or a handful of salty nuts. If you have been avoiding salt than you might need more than that or it might take longer to see results. Just to clarify, I'm not talking about tons of salt, just to taste.

I know I always have to really be sure to add salt while cooking or to my snacks at the end of pregnancy or I start to blow up like a balloon.

Hope you feel better soon (or sooner than 3 weeks from now :wink ).

[MMGerard]

Another vote for increased intake of vitamin b-6, and putting your feet up in the afternoon / evening.

[Pyxi]

I try to put my feet up but work at a desk and I don't think I have them up hich enough (they are level with my hips). Wow..increase salt eh? I would have thought the opposite! I don't usually like my food very salty, but I'll try to increase that some. I just had some sunflower seeds. :)

And I used to drink water with lemon before I was pg. I have no idea why I stopped. Thanks everyone for all of your great advice!