Low urine output, water retention, swollen feet

[Izzymay]

Hi mamas/mamas to be

I’m about 36 weeks and I’ve noticed that I’m not peeing often. I make a conscious effort to drink more, maybe 6 -8 cups water a day
(no juices, sometimes 1 cup of coffee). And I pee about 3x. A lot of the time the pee is quite concentrated. I am also having swollen feet ( worse when I drink coffee). The swollen feet don’t happen every day - but a couple of times a week. I feel fine otherwise. And baby was fine in private scan last week.

I’ve always been told women pee a lot in pregnancy particularly in third tri. But this has never been the case for me, even with first baby. But in this second pregnancy the water retention is far more noticeable.

I wondered if anyone had a similar experience? I’m due to see midwife on Wednesday so I’ll definitely bring it up then, but it’s been on my mind and I’m getting a bit worried.

Could be the start of pre eclampsia. How is your blood pressure?

I don’t want to worry you more! If the swollen feet come and go and you feel otherwise well, then almost certainly just normal pregnancy swelling.
When I had pre eclampsia I was drinking normally but barely any this was coming out! I lost about 3 stone in the first 48 hours after my twins were born!

Please call the pregnancy unit to ask for advice - should be 24/7 number. Sounds like they might want to do an assessment and maybe bloods for you to make sure you are ok.

You need to call them, as mentioned it can be signs of pre eclampsia.

Thanks for your advice. I’ll call tomorrow first thing and try to get an appointment.

@SmallGreenStripes
My blood pressure is normal I think. I have a machine at home usually 100/65. Max it reaches is 115/65. In the same range whenever I’ve had appointments with midwife ( or like during last weeks scan).

Im the same at the moment! 36 weeks and my fingers, ankles and feet are swollen every day. I'm making a conscious effort to drink more each day, and try to raise them as often as I can - but still swollen! I've had my blood pressure and urine checked numerous times by the midwife who tells me all is normal! At a bit of a loss as what else to do, should add baby is also fine and well. Seems to be general pregnancy swollen, still can't help but worry!

Is it worth just calling this evening to discuss? Good news re bp but sounds like I was with pre eclampsia.
All the best with the new arrival.

@Bimblesalong

( if you wouldn’t mind sharing). What was your experience like with pre eclampsia?

It’s 10:40pm now, I’m not sure discussing will help. I could go to A&E but I’ll probably just lose sleep and in the era of Covid, I don’t fancy sitting around other people for potentially hours.

I need a test that measures protein in the urine, and probably further blood tests. I’ve been like this for a few weeks already, hopefully one more night won’t hurt me too much. I’ll call in for an urgent appointment tomorrow.

Thank you foe the well wishes,

Call this morning, I personally would have called yesterday but I had pre eclampsia at 35-36 weeks with no obvious symptoms other than my feet swelling so that obviously colours my view.

@Garman sorry to jump in on this advice but can I ask, when you had pre-eclampsia were your BP and urine results coming back clear/normal? I only ask because since about 33ish weeks my feet and ankles, and sometimes fingers too, are always swollen - no matter how much I drink or raise them. I've asked my midwife numerous times and she's said my BP and urine are all normal so she's not concerned - still worries me though! Thanks xx

Just an update, urine was fine - no protein detected, they’re taking a blood test ( not sure what for, I guess kidney function etc). Also midwife saw swelling on my feet and said it’s very mild swelling - which is a positive sign it’s pregnancy related. But we will see what blood results say.

Good to hear your update OP. @Shmerlock I had progressive swelling for months and slowly increasing BP but no urine so they didn't care at all or listen to me re the swelling. Then at 35-36 weeks it progressed rapidly to very high BP, high protein and my entire body filling with fluid and swelling.