fat feet and ankles!!

[vmcd28]

I'm only 21 weeks, and I'm starting to get the puffy feet and ankles. Of course it doesnt help that I work sitting at a desk.

Ive been trying to get out of my seat regularly today, just for a minute or so, to try to keep the circulation going.

When I'm not working, I put my feel up, BUT the problem is that that gives me a sore lower back/sciatica type pain...

UGH!

i found for my very swollen feet and ankles that keeping them elevated as much as possible helped a great deal. that or keeping them in a bowl of cold water. any possibility of you being able to do either whilst at your desk? unfortunately for me i work in a nursery school so am on my feet all day which didnt help one bit! under recommendation from the doctor i've just taken 4 days off work and kept them elevated as the constant severe swelling i was getting probably resulted in the tendons in my feet stretching a bit too much because i was getting pain as well. it has helped a lot but i do find whatever i do to help, its not long lasting and after 10 mins or so my feet ache all over again, the joys of pregnancy i guess!

I'm only 9 weeks pregnant and although so far I'm enjoying a trouble-free pregnancy (no morning sickness) the first thing I noticed was swollen feet and ankles as early as 6 weeks pregnant. I have to say that I have been having this problem for some time the days before my period was due. Now that I'm pregnant it's more noticeble. I try to follow the advice about putting my feet up and do some exercises. Appart from that I don't think there is much else one can do.

I suffer from a form of arthritis so my feet swell under normal circumstances and they are just ballons at the moment - This is what I have always done to help you might find something that helps you.

• Supportive shoes, I don't mean ugly orthopedic ones but I find the swelling worse when I wear flip-flops or loose fitting ballet pumps.

• Hot and cold dipping, one basin on really hot water and one of ice-cold water - I actually use ice cubes - you can get bags in the supermarket. take it turn about for 1-2 mins in each.

• lying on my back in my bed with my feet up the wall at 90 degree angle

• massaging with moisturiser starting with the toes and working my way up to the knee - like pushing the fluid out of the feet. The moisturiser also helps if your skin is cracking, yes that's how swollen my feet get - particularly along the toe 'knuckles'.

All of these are temporary solutions of course but I find if I can start the day off with 'normal' feet by the time they are getting uncomfortable it's time to sit with them up - and get them UP up higher than your hip so the fluid can drain away.

It's a horrible thing and very uncomfortable but hey it's all worth it right?

oh I'm 28 weeks just now as well so I look like I have warlrus flippers not feet! Hilarious!

thanks, ladies - I will try the cold/hot water thing defo. I can't do it under my desk, tho, cos I have a LOT of electrical sockets etc under my desk!

I dont think this humidy helps much either

Mummybeth, that made me shudder when I heard how bad you have it...! Like you, they are fine in the morning, but it doesnt take much for them to be huge soon afterwards.