[J. Jones]

Sorry, gals, I just have to vent. I hate the swelling in my legs and feet! I didn't have this with DS - he was a January baby and I was 5 years younger, maybe that's why. But the puffy look is so annoying. I have gained about 40 pounds so far, but is the leg/feet swelling fluid? I get indentations really easy from fabric/elastic.<br><br>
Please, if you have any tricks or home remedies, can you share?

 

[BethMama]

I feel your pain- literally! It is fluid retention. When it gets bad enough so you can press in and leave a dent, it's called pitted edema. I had this with my son (born at the end August), and am well on my way with this one (due at the end of July).<br><br>
Home remedies that seem to help- drink LOTS of fluid, keep your legs elevated when possible (if swelling doesn't go down at all after an hour of keeping them up, let your MW or OB know), try not to sit with crossed or bent legs for any length of time. I slept with ice packs on my feet as the weather got progressively hotter (the hotter it was, the worse it was).<br><br>
Hope that helps! Anxious to hear what other mamas have tried!

 

[sheriwx]

I've got the fat legs thing going on too, but mine seems to be pretty solid fat. It's in my thighs and butt...and I can't cross my legs at the knee very easily anymore. When I kneel to pray at night it feels like my legs are huge sausages that are about to pop open.<br><br>
So, I don't have any helpful advice, just wanted to let you know you aren't alone!<br><br>
-Sheri<br>
30 weeks along and really feeling it

 

[Terrilein]

My mw told me to up my salt intake! It does seem to help except when I wear a pair of tight socks (spring? totally gone. it's freezing here again). So I guess I'd recommend wearing loose clothing. Also getting exercise should help, but standing/walking around all day should be balanced out with many breaks where you can put your feet up.

 

[crbyard]

Yes! I feel your pain. My two girls are also January births and I never had THIS much swelling in my thighs and butt. I feel like my legs resemble over-stuffed sausages as well. Just think how svelte we'll feel after the babies are born and we sweat the pounds away. . .

 

[ArtsyHeartsy]

I don't have much new advice but don't fly! lol! I flew with DD and my legs ballooned up!!! It was crazy.<br><br>
I do have it now and it seems worse when it's hot or when I sit for too long. I have a v-shaped indention in my feet just from wearing flip-flops! And they are not tight normally.<br><br>
sorry not much help, just being miserable with you! I am actually fascinated by the way I can push into it and it stays.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll">

 

[shishkeberry]

I've been very lucky this time around. With DS I didn't even have ankles anymore and my shoes and flip-flops didn't fit anymore. I couldn't really go anywhere in the last two months because none of my shoes fit. It looked like I pumped up my feet with an air hose. No swelling yet on this one as far as I can tell. A little bit of swelling in my fingers but that's it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/fingersx.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="fingersx">