So swollen struggling to walk

[ShiresCountryBumpkin]

Is this normal / safe?

I'm 36 weeks and for the last 2 weeks have been blown up from thighs down (and left hand?) to epic proportions. I cant fit any shoes on, not even my crocs - have to wear DH crocs 2 sizes too big and even they rub! my legs and feet are sooo sore - red, blotchy, itchy and its driving me mental!
CMW not interested - admitedlly last time I saw her I didn't go on about it as I thought that when I stopped work last week it would help, but still really bad & feeling quite pathetic now. Is it worth a trip to the doc or is this just par for the course? BTW I am usually a fit size 8 & I have no health problems at all - the whole pregnancy has been a breeze till this!
I know this isn't life threatening but the thought of another 4 weeks like this (at least) is starting to get me down.

Has the midwife or GP checked your blood pressure since the swelling got bad? Do you have any other symptoms (head aches, visual disturbance, sickness?)

Swelling above the knees and in the hands can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, but if there are no other symptoms it's most likely just one of those annoying pregnancy things!

I would go and see your GP for reassurance in any case. If he gives you the all clear, the things I find with swelling are:

• Being mobile. Although it's uncomfortable, a good walk seems to get the fluids moving out of the tissue. I'm always better the day after I've been active (and worse after days where I've been stuck at a desk all day)

• Drinking LOADS of water. Counter intuitively, the more you drink, the better the swelling. I don't know why but it really works.

Don't bother avoiding salt as this doesn't help.

Sorry to hear you are so uncomfortable. I guess the only slight consolation is you know there isn't that long to go and it will disappear as soon as LO arrives...

Oh and btw, do the palms of your hands itch? If so get to the GP ASAP, don't wait. I was told this was a key sign of pre-eclampsia when I spoke to the midwife about swelling.

Hi hotpinkgingham :o)

Blood pressure is fine but have frequent migraines with visual disturbances. Doc & MW know about it & have been good to check BP regularly so don't think I have PE to worry about. No itchy palms - will keep an eye out for that one.
My job is really really active. Up until Saturday I was on my feet for 12 hours a day with one 15 minute break taken standing up! I worked 50 hours a week and weeks 34/35 weren't quite so bad - I actually felt worse on my day off & quite agree with you that a walk helped to get things moving a bit. This last week however has crippled me and much as I would love to go for a wee walk now I'm finally off work I can barely make it to the bathroom!
I do feel its my own bloody fault as I knew how busy work was & should have finished earlier, but I had been as fit as a flea up to then & wanted as much time off with baby as I could. These feet are comedy material - I look like an obese grandmother from the knees down - seriously I cant even wiggle my toes!
Don't drink much water though and perhaps even less now at home so will take your advice & try to 'flush' it through a bit!

Hmmm, considering you were so active before my 'stay active' advice probably doesn't apply! I sit at a desk all day so quite the opposite. Doesn't sound like PE in that case, but I would still see the GP and let them have a look at the swelling as it does sound bad. I find my GP more sympathetic and proactive than the MW, don't know about you?

Definitely try drinking loads and loads of water, herbal tea, diluted fruit juice etc. for a day or so and see if it does anything. I got the advice from someone else on MN and I was amazed the difference it made.

Otherwise, R&R and lots of TV and pampering with your feet up would be my only prescription