Pitting Edema.

kp90

Hey ladies, I know some swelling this far into pregnancy is normal. I'm 28 weeks tomorrow. Last night my SO and I took a 1.5 hour drive and on our way home my feet began hurting and I could tell they were swollen. Tried propping them up on the dash but not much relief. Today as I sit in the tub I realize I have actual cankles. My feet and ankles are swollen with pitting edema. Is this normal? What can I do to get rid of it? Should I call my OB tomorrow or is this to be expected. I go back to work tomorrow and am on my feet a lot of the day, up and down and lots of walking. Thoughts? Anyone else have this? 

saladflambe

When in doubt, call the OB

TXmamatobe

Call the OB. Mine said they would always want to be made aware of any type of sudden onset swelling. 

ayeshaohara

Definitely call the OB!

araecasey

I swell badly, pitting edema in my legs, and towards the end my lower belly takes on fluid too. Your OB needs to know because swelling can accompany pre e, but know that sometimes it's just the luck of the draw. This could just be your "normal" like it is mine.

kp90

Thanks @araecasey I called the on call OB and he told me to rest in bed the rest of the evening and lay on my side. He said compression hose can be worn while I'm at work this week. Was curious if anyone else has dealt with this before and how they handled it. I guess I'll find out if this is my norm!

That1didntcount

This was my normal last time, and unfortunately seems to be looking like my normal this time as well. All the indentions down my legs, ring won't fit, and my face is growing. Some days are more painful than others. It is alarming when you notice it for the first time!

buffythevampireslayer

Definitely call your doc, but I have had great success with compression socks while traveling. I also lie on my back and put my legs up a wall daily. Good luck and keep us posted! 

maddenmm

Unfortunately that is a normal side effect of pregnancy for me. I would make sure you don't have any elevated BP to be safe. I have a very sedintary job and after the past few shifts my legs have been swollen from the knees down. My sneakers literally untie themselves. I try to drink plenty of water and avoid sodium. 

laurenmdrn16

I thought this was normal last time with my son, but it did turn out to be pre-e, so definitely keep an eye on it. Don't freak out, but don't dismiss other symptoms like bad headaches, vision changes, or severe fatigue. As a comparison (not a brag I swear!) this time I have little to no swelling so what I thought was normal actually was a big deal last time.

kp90

@laurenmdrn16 Thank you! and yes that's what I keep worrying about because I do get headaches (have one today as we speak) but each time I've checked my BP its been okay. So I have no idea, maybe this is my norm. Right now I am rocking some sexy thigh high compression stockings though while I'm at work and my legs/feet aren't hurting like they usually do and I'll have to check the swelling out tonight when I get home.

araecasey

@jenbkc Did you see this thread girl?

jenashawn

@araecasey somehow I missed this one. I had to go look up what pitting edema is. Luckily my swelling hasn't hit that point, but I guess I should make sure my OB knows about the swelling I'm having. Maybe I'll go double check my blood pressure at lunch just to make my self feel better. I wonder if they still have those BP machines at the pharmacy....

sillyfox

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I have pitting edema now too at 34 weeks. @kp90, How is yours doing? Still around? Was your OB concerned?

LadySamLady

@sillyfox When my ankles and feet are swollen there is always pitting, my OB hasn't been concerned at all.

wamam027

LadySamLady said:

@sillyfox When my ankles and feet are swollen there is always pitting, my OB hasn't been concerned at all.

This. My right foot, ankle, leg have been swollen for the past week...WAY more than my left side although my left side is swollen as well. My right side is so swollen it gets numb. My ob said on Friday that since baby is bunched up on my right side, he or she is sitting on something making me swell more on that side and to get used to it until I deliver. I pit so bad that even bending my toes to stand up leaves an indentation. I feel like Hero from Big Hero 6. 

doozer1345

Yes. Nothing you can do. My doctor took me off work using this as one of the reasons.

wsgjmw1

This sums it up 

sillyfox

I've had swelling for weeks and did in third tri with my first too, but I've never had pitting before! I guess it was just surprising. Glad to hear it seems benign on it's own. BP has been normal, no headaches or weird vision issues so I think it's just one of those fun pregnancy things

@wsgjmw1 I might have to add those lovely kicks to the two pairs of flip flops in my rotation for work! 

katxattack1212

I'm not a  sweller  (new word?) but, I can say compression socks help tremendously for preventing restless legs!