Any Tips for Swelling?

Brooke4131 · June 2014

I'm 35 weeks and my hands/feet/legs (ok, I'll be honest, EVERYTHING!) have started to swell up like a balloon! I mentioned it to my doctor and he said the baby and I both looked fine so I shouldn't worry about it. I'm trying to drink plenty of water and put my feet up when I can, but does anyone have any other tips that can help keep swelling down?

workmm01 · June 2014

Agree with pp. Compression socks really do help, but now it's mid 90s here and just too hot some days. It's hard, but I try to stand at my desk to check emails and walk around/stretch every hour at work becuase sitting all day at the desk makes it way worse! Once they are swollen in the afternoon, nothing seems to help but rest and elevating.

oursong611 · June 2014

I'm almost 30 weeks and I have been swelling some as well. My midwife says that swelling is typically indicative that your kidneys are working too hard. Her tips are-

1. Drink lots of water (I shoot for a gallon a day, especially now that it's so hot!)

2. Use a nettle leaf tincture (you can get this at your local herb shop, or on amazon), which basically just makes you have to pee all the time, keeping your kidneys flushed. It tastes kind of gross, but you can mix it in a tea you like. She recommended 1/2 a dropper full 3 times a day.

3. Reduce your salt intake

4. Avoid nitrates, which are hard for your kidneys to process. This is actually the hardest thing to do, because they are in virtually EVERYTHING!!!! Lunch meats, bacon, hot dogs, hamburger/chicken helper, processed canned and boxed goods, fast food, and even bread products such as highly processed breads, donuts, bagels, pancake mixes, frozen waffles, frozen pizzas, and even most pastas have nitrates. Check the labels and be amazed!

5. Don't drink ANY carbonated beverages, or coffee (even decaf).

I have been doing these things and have found that they have really helped me. I have also been swimming, which is a good way to keep your circulation good. Hope some of this helps!

JSS1002 · June 2014

Definitely compression socks.

Add some lemon to your water - it is a natural diuretic and will help you pee off some of the excess fluid you are retaining!

Avoid salty foods...

Lots of stretching

Take a few short walks after sitting for periods of time

Feet up!

Unknown · June 2014

This content has been removed.

dawnangela79 · June 2014

I've started swimming in the mornings a few times per week, I've noticed a huge difference in my feet at the end of the day, when I swim there's practically zero swelling! I also drink half my body weight in ounces of water every day.

PrimRoseMama · June 2014

Drink more water & watch your salt intake

Laynelover · June 2014

I was having problems with hand and feet swelling as well. My wedding and engagement rings actually got stuck on my finger and left a horrible mark. I was scared I'd have to have them cut off!!!! After forcing myself to drink more water for several days, it has gotten back to almost normal. I thought I had been drinking enough since I had to pee like every half hour....but apparently not! When I mentioned it to my Dr he suggested to get in more water. He was right. Your body will retain water (think of a camel hump) if it is chronically deficient. I also have noticed less swelling when I walk more.

mjvon · July 2014

I am 39 weeks, and still have my ankles!! I think the trick for me has been exercise 5 days a week (one or two days being walking), and drinking enough water and eating lots of fruit especially watermelon! Also, don't stand or sit in stationary positions for long.