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.

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!

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!

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

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.

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

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).