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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Your best tips for fluid retention please

14 replies

Eviepoo · 04/05/2011 18:33

hi ladies...I need your tips. This retention lark is getting silly now. I'm doing what I'm meant to:
Drink tons of water/herbal teas etc
Having minimal caffiene just a couple cups of tea a day
Using a foot rest under my desk
Walking regularly - mostly to the loo or water cooler :)
Wearing the loosest shoes I have- pretty much living in my sketchers and pumps
Putting my feet up when I get home

And by the end of the working day my hands and feet and ankles are huge and my shins ache.
So you have any other tips that may help me get through the next 12weeks at work (yes I am only 24+3 and my colleagues are amazed at how big my feet can get)
I'm currently on the sofa with feet up with a pint of soda and lime. By the morning swelling has gone.

PS I know to keep an eye out for my face swelling and headaches and call the MW quick smart if they coincide with this swelling. Lucky my BP is okay

Thanks in advance

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JBrd · 04/05/2011 19:41

I've been wearing flight compression socks, and they really help reducing swelling of feet and ankles, especially in the hot weather.
I've also started having reflexology treatments, which are fab!

Can't help with the hands, though, I've actually now got carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand. Hopefully, it will all go back to normal after the birth!

lilly13 · 04/05/2011 20:16

it is very good to drink freshly squeezed celery and cucumber juice blend... this may not sound particularly appetizing, but if you add a bit of green apple or carrot is not so bad... eat lots of watercress salad. stay away from sugary and processed foods.

lilly13 · 04/05/2011 20:18

ps after 28 weeks don't stay on your back, even if you feel well, as this may result in a posterior baby positioning

Original poster

Eviepoo · 04/05/2011 20:28

Thanks both...
J8rd have some flight socks, will try. I have carpal in both hands MW did say it would go away after birth when fluid levels return to normal.
Lilly I will try juice at weekend. I'm eating well now, lots of fruit and veg, broccoli tastes amazing at the moment.
I've been on my side for weeks...have never been able to sleep on my back was always a semi front side sleeper

OP posts:

BertieBasset · 04/05/2011 20:43

Try some disgusting dandelion leaf tea - it needs to be leaf though not just dandelion.

It tastes foul, even with sweetener but it worked a treat for me

G1nger · 04/05/2011 20:59

Bertie- how much should we be thinking of drinking?

BertieBasset · 04/05/2011 21:32

I used to drink 2 large mugs a night, my water retention was really bad by the evening with dd from about 24 weeks. I used to wait for it to cool and drink it quickly as I found it revolting. However it did work a treat.

You may find a way to make it more palatable though, and can sip delicately during the day rather than downing half a pint at a time.

Original poster

Eviepoo · 04/05/2011 21:34

Worth a try Bertie -where did you get it?

OP posts:

BertieBasset · 04/05/2011 21:44

I looked on the internet but it was loose leaf. So I just popped into the local holland and barrett type shop.

Have just hunted it out from back of cupboard. It is called

Floradix Dandelion Leaves Herb Tea.

Original poster

Eviepoo · 05/05/2011 18:47

Well ladies - I just wanted to update you, I called my MW today because the swelling is worse in hands too and I just had so much cramp and pain in the night - I was awake for most of it, I felt like cr*p this morning and did not feel LO move til maybe 10.30am I was almost in tears at work feeling like something was all wrong and one of the girls said, just phone. glad I did, MW was lovely (am hoping that LO was just as shattered as I was and that was the reason for the none early movement).
Anyway she said she is not happy me having so much swelling this early on so I've to go in and see her tomorrow, get BP checked etc, hopefully she can suggest more helpful hints.
J8rd I tried the flight socks today - ankles and feet still swollen - but there is less shin pain :)
Bertie I am planning to track down some of that tea tomorrow

OP posts:

WiiUnfit · 05/05/2011 22:39

Hi Evie, firstly congratulations & good luck with the MW tomorrow, hope you manage to get to the bottom of what's causing your swelling & find a nice remedy!

I have been suffering with achey / cramp-like feet & have found resting with them higher than my heart for an hour a day or whatever I can helps a lot, as does a nice footrub with Arnica gel! Hope this helps!

Original poster

Eviepoo · 06/05/2011 14:01

MW checked me over, Baby is fine, my BP is ok etc. She agreed my swelling is quite extreme, that there is nothing she can do, suggested I call physio with help re my hands.

I have resigned myself - the first half of this pg was all about the vomiting (which I did again thsi morning - violently too)
and the second half is ll about the swelling.

Oh well not long to go.

OP posts:

BertieBasset · 06/05/2011 15:28

Oh dear

I hope you find something to give you some relief. Are you drinking lots and lots of water? I think dehydration makes it worse.

At least baby is okay, and you're okay - kinda

lilly13 · 06/05/2011 22:14

i hope it goes well for you! you should probably insist on having your kidneys checked now and further in pregnancy... steam room helps to prevent water retention; i've been going for 3 minutes 3-4 times per week, although in this country the general advice is to avoid it overall. if you have low blood pressure it is ok. most russians, nordics and germans do this during pregnancy.

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