Ankle and foot swelling...ugghh!

txbride1106

I just started getting the ankle and foot swelling instantly no matter what I do.  So frustrating since pregnancy has been smooth and fairly easy until this point.  I am right at 34 weeks.  Did this cause anyone to go on bedrest?  Any suggestions other than attempting to keep my feet up and taking it easy?

babydontforget

My feet have been cartoonishly swollen since about 33 weeks. The nurses and docs have just said that they've seen worse and that, in the absence of additional other symptoms of pre-eclampsia, they're not worried. 

:-/ Feet up! If your face gets swollen, or you get headaches, call your doc.

E&RMommy

Sadly bad swelling is par for the course...esp in a multiples pregnancy.  However, it's certainly something to tell your doctor about since rapid weight gain can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.  I already have gestational hypertension that I am monitoring several times a day; in addition I am doing daily weights.  It's not a bad idea to weigh yourself daily if you have a scale and are noticing that you are retaining more fluid.  I feel better knowing each morning how much fluid I am retaining.  I am still increasing by a 1-1.5 lbs a day.   

For the swelling, I highly suggest some type of compression stocking.  You can ask your doctor's office for a prescription or go to a medical supply store.  I have some thigh high TED hose (compression hose) from my last d&C so I am wearing those pretty much 24 hours a day.  My feet are still huge, but in general the swelling is better with them on.  I also notice that I will urinate more in the night when I am wearing the hose probably because they are helping return the excess fluid back into circulation.  If I don't wear them to bed I have stopped urinating in the night (which is very scary).  

An alternative are some compression socks/stockings that are knee high that you can buy at CVS/Walgreens/Walmart etc.  They are meant for times like airplane travel and will have probably enough compression to get some of the fluid back into circulation and/or keep it from getting worse. 

Depending on where you live and what you have access to, your doctor's office might be the most helpful first. 

Sorry that was so long!  We've been battling this fluid for a month now, and it's just getting worse.  My face is so puffy that I am looking not like me.  My lips are so full and plump that they tingle.  Call me Angelina!   

marker56

Mine started in the last 2 weeks also.  I've been on modified bed rest/off work due to contractions, but my OB hasn't batted an eye at the swelling.  I've been making sure my weight isn't jumping and that my BP hasn't spiked...  The only thing that's hurting right now is my ego - DH just calls me "troll feet"

To answer your question, swelling alone shouldn't put you on bedrest... but signs of pre-eclampsia will.   The only thing that brings the swelling down is HOURS upon HOURS of sleeping for me.  Rest with feet up.  E&R Mommy is correct too... compression stockings could be very helpful to you too!

lindsaydtobeb

My swelling started really early - like 24 weeks. I was put on bed rest at 31 weeks for contractions, nothing to do with the swelling, but having my feet up all day helped  TON and my feet were starting to look somewhat normal. But, in the past week and a half my feet are at their absolute worst and it hurts to even bend at the ankle some days. I don't think there's anything that can be done. As long as you don't have any other signs of pre-e (rising BP, protein in urine) it's just another glamorous symptom of twin pregnancy.