Can anyone answer a question about swelling at the time of labour?

[wildstrawberryplace]

Looking back at the photos taken when DS was born, my face and neck look really bloated and I was swollen around the eyes etc, my hands also. After he was born, my legs got really badly swollen and had a nasty sort of rash on them from the swelling.

It went away after a couple of days, and I'm sure it wasn't so bad before I actually went into labour.

I was in labour for nearly 48 hours all told, he was back to back and eventually I had an epidural and forceps.

Does anyone know why this happened and if there is anything I can do to avoid it next time?

Thanks.

[BeautifulBlondePineapple]

The exact same thing to me with DS1's birth (inc the back to back, epi & forceps).

I was a bit swollen before the birth, but afterwards my face & ankles esp were much worse. I was told it was just fluid retention combined with high blood pressure so I think you just have to do the same as you would for that:

-drink lots of water
-elevate feet
-eat a good diet
-do a bit of exercise

Didn't happen after DC2's birth and I was a bit fitter that time. Hoping it doesn't happen this time either - it was so uncomfortable!

[dirgeinvegas]

Also to add that when you have an epidural you are also hooked up to a drip (to combat low blood pressure from epidural I think). Fluids go in faster than your body can ex[el them, hence the few days of elephant feet and swollen face.

Fluid retention is common in late pregnancy anyway but I think being on a drip for fluids is more likely to be the culprit!

[wildstrawberryplace]

Thanks. All this makes sense. I'm determined to try to avoid an epi next time!

[reikizen]

yep, definately the fluids and epidural, as others have said. Also, the fact that you are pretty much immobile for a long period of time, probably in a hot room and the natural accumulation of fluids in late pregnancy. The natural diuresis that takes place after baby has been born, plus gentle mobilisation should expel the extra fluid.

[pallymama]

Ahh, that's what causes it. In my post birth pictures I look like the michelin man!

[BeautifulBlondePineapple]

I'm not sure the epi has mcuh to do with it so don't rule it out. I had an epi with DC2 as well and had a wonderful childbirth experience. And pretty much no swelling either (I was induced a bit earlier than with DC1 so my blood pressure was lower).