Pitted edema lower legs

[Tootsiepops]

I'm 32 weeks pregnant, and all's been well until the last few weeks despite a high bmi and pre-existing thyroid problems.

At my last midwife appt, my blood pressure was hitting the upper limits of normal, and I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My best efforts to diet control have failed, and so am due to start taking metformin tomorrow. I've got quite bad hip pain (I'm assuming spd), and have a bit of breathlessness.

I noticed yesterday that pressing on my lower legs leaves an indent for about 10 seconds before returning to normal. My legs / ankles don't look swollen, so I found this surprising.

I've stupidly googled 'pitted edema' and now I'm panicking. I'm seeing my midwife on Wednesday, but wondered if I should flag this up to someone before then. I know some swelling in pregnancy is normal so I'm trying not to get hysterical over nothing, but I am a little bit worried.

Has anyone had similar?

Some swelling is normal in pregnancy, however with your high blood pressure I'd get checked out asap.

Me. Similar to you, but no diabetes. This is my 2nd pregnancy- same happened in my first- all kicking off after about 30 weeks. I had high bp in the end, with some other classic pre-eclampsia symptoms such as edema and protein in urine, but only really by 40 weeks- it all appeared gradually. I was eventually induced for it at 41 weeks- but until the last week or two it was only swelling in my feet and there was nothing else that gave cause for concern, my np rose slowly too up to the higher realms of normal.

The pre-eclampsia website (foundation?- a quick Google will turn it up) is helpful as it lists things to contact your midwife about. In my case, I often experience swelling in my feet which pits- usually if I have been at work )sat down all day) or doing something where I am in my feet all day. Even with my history (and my family history as I very nearly lost my mother to pre-e) this never concerned my midwife as long as it was not accompanied by a headache or blurred vision or swelling in the hands or face or pain in the abdomen or reduced movements from the baby (from memory- there may be other symptoms to watch for). I think swelling in the feet is a common symptom for many pregnant women later in pregnancy as several of my friends had it, even without any other issues.

So check the pre-e website to ensure you don't have anything to worry about and if not I would probably leave it. Either until Wednesday or until office hours tomorrow when you could call and double check. Also if you feel something is wrong just call out of hours- because everyone is different and you know what your body is telling you. In your shoes though if it is just your feet I think I wouldn't worry too much. Good luck.

preeclampsia foundation

Thank you cookie. I had a good look at the link, and decided I was panicking about nothing, so will hold off and mention to my midwife tomorrow when I was due to see her anyway. I did have protein in my urine for the first time at my 28 week check up, but she wasn't massively bothered about it and said just to wait and see if it happened again at my next check up, so will be interesting to find out (and to see if my blood pressure's gone up anymore too).

Read up on Lymphoedema. It often begins in pg and with other hormonal changes. Unfortunately doctors are not that well acquainted with it. Ask for a referral to a hospital's lymphoedema clinic. They do treat cancer patients who've had swelling caused by lymph node removal, but are not so well geared up for the primary/hereditary version.
Also look for a Vodder trained manual lymphatic drainage massage (MLD) therapist in your area. It makes a huge difference to the swelling and discomfort but can be pricey.
www.mlduk.org.uk/therapy/

Sorry, am not trying to Internet diagnose you, but is something that can often be missed.

Hope all goes well. I had protein in my urine a few time last time too and have had it this time. I think it can also be a contamination in your sample so it can help if you make sure you take the sample in the middle of your wee, not at the start to allow any of your own goo (TMI) or seamen etc to be washed away first

Hope it turns out to be nothing. That website is reassuring- I have looked a few times when I was worried (it is always at 2am my calm resolve drops and I lie awAke wondering!).

Saw midwife today. Mentioned my poor, swollen ankles. She wasn't at all worried and said it's normal. Blood pressure is still the upper end of normal, but within range. And no protein in my urine. Phew! I had it last time, but, yes - sounds like it could have been contamination (peed in a polystyrene cup that had been sitting out at reception uncovered!).

I think - now that my due date is on the horizon - I'm panicking more

Signora - I looked up a MLD therapist in my area. Sounds like treatment might be beneficial even in the absence of an established problem (a specialist foot and leg massage sounds just heavenly right now).

Go for it! The first time I had it done, she finished one leg, I had a look and was astonished by the difference between them. Had never seen my ankle bones before (awaiting formal lipo-lymphoedema diagnosis). Makes you feel much lighter on your feet afterwards and is very relaxing!

All the best for the rest of your pregnancy.