Swelling?

[whatamigoingtodo87]

Baby is 2 days old now, how long can I expect my legs to stay swollen? The swelling has been the worst part of pregnancy for me and I was looking forward to nice normal feet after delivery.

Drinking 3 litres+ a day of water to try and flush as quickly as possible. Also staying off my feet and keeping them elevated as much as possible.

Anything I can use or try to make it clear quicker??

Sadly I have been warned it can take two weeks to go down.

It will take 1-2 weeks to go down. Your body will naturally rid it. You don't need to drink any extra. Just drink to your thirst.

You will notice that you will sweat more, and pass urine in bigger amounts, more often, or both! It's the bodies way of getting rid of all those extra pregnancy related fluids you carry.

I was told to move about and walk a bit (nothing extreme) to help the fluid shift, not stay off my feet.

I had dreadful nightsweats post delivery. That definitely helped me!

It was two weeks until I had knee caps back! Elavate Elavate and elavste! Have you got the sexy stockings to wear? They definitely helped me. I totally understand how it makes you feel, the night sweats were awful! It just takes time.

I'm pretty sure I peed at least a stone off me in the first week it's was nuts! I gained my knee caps and ankles back after about a week! I went for a gentle walk at least once a day as advised by my midwife.
You're nearly there!!

You should talk to your midwife about the swelling to make sure it is just normal post-partum swelling and not something more serious. Swelling can be a symptom of really serious issues like pre-eclampsia or if on one leg only, a deep vein thrombosis. Please have someone check yours and ask for the signs of what is normal and what is worrying and needs medical attention.

Also remain active, standing and walking regularly and avoid sitting for long period in cramped ways as you are at really high risk for a blood clot in the first six weeks after birth. It's easy to get caught up in sitting holding or feeding a baby for bouts, particularly if following some breastfeeding advice.

Congratulations and best wishes.

Mine were slightly swollen for about a month afterwards, they were giant before though.