Please help - Swollen feet is this a bad sign? 24wks preg

[Loucee]

Hi

Sorry if I sound paranoid it's just I didn't have this with when I was pregnant with DD.

I've been sitting down alot today and only wearing very small heels. However from just above my ankles to my toes are all swollen.

Is this something I should be concerned about (I am worried) or is this normal?

Anything I can do to try and reduce the swelling?

Thanks

I think it can just be because of being pregnant and overdoing it but could also possibly be a sign of high blood pressure developing so if it doesn't settle down I'd get it checked.

I would call my MW if I were you, latest in the morning. Occasionally (not always) this is a sign of pre-eclampsia.

put your feet up. pregnancy stockings also help reduce swelling. Walking and exercise help the circulation as well.

sometimes, sudden swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia, which can be serious, so it's best to get checked outby your midwife/GP.

I had it a lot when pg with DS1 over the summer.It is prob the heat and being on your feet for too long.
Lie down with your feet raised or put them in a bowl of cool water.
If they don't go down, may be worth checking BP.

Thanks ladies, there's a MW clinic tomorrow so if they're still swollen I'll head down there first thing. I didn't want to sound OTT as sometimes find the MWs a bit patronising.

Hope everything's ok, I'm scared.

try not to worry you're doing the right thing by going to see your midwife.

Don't worry about them taking you seriously - checking for high BP or pre-eclampsia is one thing they are very keen on. Remember pre-eclampsia is worse case scenario, bit of high BP is more likely. I had a few instances of this in both pg's and never turned out to be pre-eclampsia, or even high BP really in this pg. Don't worry if this is the only symptom you have, just get it checked tomorrow.

Loucee, please do not panic. Your swollen ankles are very unlikely to be indicative of pre-eclampsia at this stage of pregnancy and assuming you have no other signs/symptoms (headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, raised BP, etc).

However, they can be extremely uncomfortable . Wear flat shoes, put your feet up as often as possible. It's often worse in the evening. If they are still very swollen tomorrow morning, go to the clinic to put your mind at rest.

Hi Loucee, I'm sure the midwife will put your mind at rest. I got swollen feet towards the end of my pregnancy (couldn't even get my shoes on), I think it's very common. I found it worst later in the day, especially if I'd been sitting down a lot, and the only thing that seemed to make it better was keeping as active as poss - even if only shuffling round the block. Also getting DH to give me a foot massage to get the circulation going!

I swelled up like a fat pork sausage when I was pregnant. I ended up having to wear dp's trainers because my feet were so swollen. Never had pre eclampsia, bp was always o.k, just had bad fluid retention. Watch your salt intake and drink plenty of water.

I had really swollen feet with DS1 and it was pre-eclamsia. I thought this was more likely to happen in your first pregnancy though, so I wouldn't worry. Put your feet up (above your heart) and see your midwife in the morning to put your mind at rest. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

Thanks everyone for all your replies, you've helped to make me chill out a bit about it.

I've got my feet raised and will now tell DH about the foot massage (thanks for tip!!).

They're right when they say every pregnancy is different, with my 1st it seemed really plain sailing (though didn't know any different at the time), whereas this time I feel like I'm falling apart.

Thanks again

Hi Loucee

If its just your feet swelling its highly unlikely to be anything like pre-eclampsia. Much more likley you've been sitting too long. Make sure you get up regular and have a little wander, raise your feet up if you can while you are sitting and try and sit with your feet up for at least an hour in the evening. I;ve had this too from anout 22 week (now 31), no raised BP etc just bub getting bigger and restricting blood flow back from legs when sitting down. if your hands start to swell up as well or you start getting headaches, then I'd go see mw.

Thanks Pheebe, today my hands have been swollen as I wasn't able to get my rings off and when I took my watch off I had the pattern of the strap on my wrist so I went to the MW who said just to walk in flip flops and stay cool (I live in Scotland and it's hardly hot up here!)

Anyway BP was fine so that's good so I'll just take all your advice (MW just said to rest).

Hope you all have a nice weekend

Hi Loucee

Meant to reply to you in the antnatal thread. I had this last time round and have just got it again this time. For me it coincided with being hot and standing/walking a lot (both following a holiday abroad). I came home, put my feet up whenever I could (including at work) and they went back to normal pretty quickly.

Hope this works for you too and great to know your BP is OK