Any tips to reduce Oedema?

[wholovesyou]

My physio said yesterday "ooooh you shouldnt let your feet get that big"

How can I do anything about that? Ive followed normal advice about keeping them lifted, low salt diet etc and still I have elephant foot. I asked if I should do a deep tissue massage as that definately would help drain the lymph and she actually said she didnt know if that was safe to do in pregnancy anyway. Its defo not pre-eclampsia either, just v. puffy tootsies!

Any ideas/tips?

My ankles were quite puffy a few weeks ago (I'm now 35+4) and I've been putting my feet up on a low stool and doing simple foot exercises (as described in the NHS Pregnancy book) every evening and whenever I remember.

The first type: flex your foot up and then down, as if you're shortening and extending your leg as far as it'll go.

The second type: circle your foot in one direction, then the other.

I tend to just keep doing them for as long as I can be bothered. It's definitely made a difference and my ankles are nowhere near as swollen as they were.

I was reccomended by a midwife to have my husband gently massage my feet - actually what he does is lightly pushes on them and slides up my shins. My feet are always better the next day after this.

I agree with InvaderZim on the gental rubbing - I think there is a technique called Lymphatic drainage massage that is similar - but deffo go for the gentle options when pregnant.

I have an arthritic condition in my toes so feet can swell on a good day - as I've bloomed (or ballooned) during pregnancy my legs have positively inflated but I have found that the following helps.

Each evening before bed I fill two basins one with very warm water and one with very coldwater I then plunge my feet into the hot one for about 20 seconds then straight into the freezing cold one for 20 seconds. I continue this for about 5 or 10 mins.

I then lie on my back (naughty I know) on my bed with my feet vertically up the wall and do some gentle pointing and flexing - I do this for as long as I can be bothered!

Then I put my feet on DH's chest hand him some bio oil and get him to gently rub from toe to thigh. My skin has been cracking due to the swelling which is why I find the bio oil useful for moisturising and it doesn't sting.

Then first thing in the morning I run a cold shower over them and moisturise again with bio oil.

I think it has prevented it from getting too bad especially as I am due tomorrow and therefore trying to spend time vertical in order to get things going.

Best of luck.
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