Glorious Swelling

ahackett1990 · May 2016

I made a somewhat devastating discovery today while shaving my legs...swelling of my ankles, feet, and toes. I know this is a completely normal part of pregnancy and I'm not trying to sound vain, but I was a little bummed about it. I thought I'd have a little longer before this became evident but I guess the rising temperatures and humidity around here aren't helping. Has anyone found anything to help reduce swelling? Also, my joints in my toes and fingers just feel stiff and tight. Anyone else feel this and found anything to help relieve it?

mcborthmomma · May 2016

Put your feet up as much as possible, and wear good supportive shoes. They make support stockings that help a ton, but are warm and not attractive (guess you'll have to weigh your priorities). If it seems excessive, or painful, I'd talk to your doc

yellowrose314 · May 2016

Ugh, I feel your pain. I finally bit the bullet and bought support stockings for at work. Getting home after a 12 hour day shift was horrendous, my legs and feet were swollen for days afterwards. My grandmother also let me borrow her foot spa, and I fill it with cold water and it works like a charm.

ahackett1990 · May 2016

@yellowrose314 you're a nurse, right? I can't imagine being in my feet for 12 hours. You're a badass. A foot spa with cold water sounds amazing. I think it would help with the stiffness. Thanks for the idea!

Thscary · May 2016

I noticed my rings are getting really tight recently, so I am swelling a bit too

Sporty1216 · May 2016

Last time I had a lot of swelling. I found doing foot baths with Epsom salts helped. I noticed my first bit of swelling today after getting a pedicure.

yellowrose314 · May 2016

ahackett1990 said:

@yellowrose314 you're a nurse, right? I can't imagine being in my feet for 12 hours. You're a badass. A foot spa with cold water sounds amazing. I think it would help with the stiffness. Thanks for the idea!

Sure am! And thank you, that's super sweet

I'm not going to lie, it's getting harder and harder to make it through the full 12 hours. But fortunately my nursing manager is open to me cutting it down to 8 hour shifts the further my pregnancy progresses.
I usually put in some essential oils, my favourite is orange or peppermint. You can usually find the Dr. Scholl's foot spas on sale at Walmart!

rn1stbae · May 2016

Did you find maternity support hose? I've got some great ones for regular shifts, but they'd be too tight on my belly now. I feel like I look lazy but as much as I can at work I prop my feet up on our mobile computers, my feet HURT at the end of a 12! I'm not having any pitting or anything though.

irishblessings916 · May 2016

I've been wearing dresses and capris more to work, since it's dress down for the summer. I've realized that it's time to watch my sodium intake, eat more fresh fruits, veggies and not so much quick on the go foods. Winter in NE Pa seems to last so long, that I'm eating soups in April and May!

Trgree1712 · May 2016

Make sure you are drinking enough water. I find that when I don't drink enough I start to swell. After I have a few glasses the swelling goes down.

mrsvoorhees-2 · May 2016

RN1stBae said:

Did you find maternity support hose? I've got some great ones for regular shifts, but they'd be too tight on my belly now. I feel like I look lazy but as much as I can at work I prop my feet up on our mobile computers, my feet HURT at the end of a 12! I'm not having any pitting or anything though.

See if you can find thigh highs!! So much easier because you don't have to move them when you use the bathroom. Juzo makes some!

tinypikachu · May 2016

I complained about swelling a couple of weeks ago but have been able to manage it a little bit! I bought some socks at Walmart specifically for swelling (said something like circulation & diabetes) and reduced sodium drastically on my diet, I'm also putting my feet up as much as possible. Don't feel weird putting your feet up everywhere you go! You're pregnant! I'll be trying to find some maternity compression socks too. Anyone know if you can use normal ones or if those are special? I have some I used to wear before I got pregnant.

irishblessings916 · May 2016

It also doesn't help that we're moving this Friday and Saturday. I'm on my feet a lot more than during the week. I'm feeling so unproductive with packing. Once I sit, my motivation is gone.

mrsvoorhees-2 · May 2016

AlwaysAuntNeverMom said:

I complained about swelling a couple of weeks ago but have been able to manage it a little bit! I bought some socks at Walmart specifically for swelling (said something like circulation & diabetes) and reduced sodium drastically on my diet, I'm also putting my feet up as much as possible. Don't feel weird putting your feet up everywhere you go! You're pregnant! I'll be trying to find some maternity compression socks too. Anyone know if you can use normal ones or if those are special? I have some I used to wear before I got pregnant.

The only difference between regular and maternity is that the maternity would have a belly shape in them if they were full pantyhose. Otherwise, they're the same! Just look for something with low compression, like 5-10 or 9-10. Probably no more than 15.

yellowrose314 · May 2016

I just have a pair of support stockings that go up to my knees. They're for nursing but my midwife okay'd them for pregnancy. So far they still fit and aren't getting too tight, but I bought the next size up just in case. There is no way I could wear the full support hose at work, I sweat enough as it is.

ahackett1990 · May 2016

Thanks for all the advice, ladies! I am trying to carry water with me everywhere I go and try to drink about 80 oz a day. I live in NW Ohio and the temps have been close to 90 for the last few days and I don't think that is helping. I've got a good excuse to put my feet up on my desk at work now, right?!

rn1stbae · May 2016

Thigh highs?? I'd feel like I was in sausage casings and always have the problem of them rolling down under my scrubs, lol! I have some knee highs but sometimes the full length are nice because they help reduce varicose veins too. I'm scared of getting them while pregnant!

jas1982 · May 2016

I was in Ohio this weekend visiting family (@ahackett1990), it was rather warm and very humid, and the swelling was real. Back in Atlanta now and it's not a lot better... my wedding rings have come off, perhaps for the duration. I have nightmares about them needing to be cut off of my swollen fingers. Yeesh.

I might try some knee highs as well... it's hot outside but my office is generally cold, and I suppose if I got too sweaty I could always sneak them off and put them in my purse or my desk. Good ideas!

ahackett1990 · May 2016

jas1982 said:

I was in Ohio this weekend visiting family (@ahackett1990), it was rather warm and very humid, and the swelling was real. Back in Atlanta now and it's not a lot better... my wedding rings have come off, perhaps for the duration. I have nightmares about them needing to be cut off of my swollen fingers. Yeesh.

I might try some knee highs as well... it's hot outside but my office is generally cold, and I suppose if I got too sweaty I could always sneak them off and put them in my purse or my desk. Good ideas!

I can imagine the humidity in Atlanta is a problem, too

I'm trying to pull my weddings bands off as I'm typing this...nope, not gonna happen lol. I'll have to run them under cold water to take them off at night time. The struggle is real.

yellowrose314 · May 2016

@ahackett1990 Try putting some dishsoap around your knuckle and where the ring is, and relax your knuckle as you pull, should help it come off easier. My engagement ring has been off since the first trimester, but my wedding band is still comfortable.. I have a feeling that might change once summer rolls around.

Sporty1216 · May 2016

^^^same. I just tested my wedding band. Getting snug. I should probably start taking it off at night, for sure.

jbscmama · May 2016

Ahh my wedding /engagement rings were sooooo tight and I could not get them off last week, looked online for tricks and ended up using Saran Wrap and butter!! Omg. Got a big band at steinmart for $8 that I've been rocking since

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ElcaB · May 2016

I feel you, girl. My feet are beginning to resemble balloons & I haven't been able to wear my rings for a few weeks. I wasn't expecting this to happen so soon (then again, I wasn't expecting stretch marks at week 22 either, so...), but I also think the heat and humidity are playing a big factor.

Try watching your sodium intake, drinking lots of water, and elevating your feet if possible. I also read that a short walk can help.

nativetexan512 · May 2016

I noticed for the first time last week that my feet and ankles were swollen, but like PP I haven't worn my rings for weeks. For me, the more water I drink, the less swollen I am. I sit at a desk 90% of the day, and have a box under my desk to put my feet on. I bought compression socks on Amazon, and wear them at night sometimes. I live in a recliner at home when resting or watching tv.

Huge props to the ladies on their feet all day - I don't know how you do it!

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