Any tips for excessive swelling in late pregnancy??

[didsnbump]

Im 39+4 weeks and im am experience really really bad swelling thats driving me mad and i dont even want to be seen outside of the house.

Its all over, i keep having to take my watch off when my arms go, i look like a hamster smuggling food in its cheeks, and when my fingers go i find it uncomfortable to do anything. As for my legs, it looks like my calfs are gonna explode!!!!!!!!!!!

Any advise to stop this????

Midwife or doctor NOW. Excessive swelling this late in pregnancy can mean pre-eclampsia, go get checked out as soon as possible. If it's nothing seirous they won;t mind or think you are being silly, but if there is a problem, the sooner you get help the better.

you must go to the MW immediately, sudden and big sweeling can be a sign of PE, go and be checked out... are you having any headaches or visual disturbances>

yes, go to doc, could be pre-eclampsia. I had this, my feet were the same size as my calfs.

Im be checked for pre-eclampsia and its not that!

Nothing in urine, and im doing my own bp and its been fine???????

Im be checked for pre-eclampsia and its not that!

Nothing in urine, and im doing my own bp and its been fine???????

When were you last checked by the MW or GP?

If it's definitely not PE, you may want to try taking some exercise. I know, it sounds ridiculous! But when I was heavily pg during a heatwave, and my legs kept swelling up, one day dh and friends organised themselves so that I didn't have to do any of the school runs, but could take a whole day's rest. By the evening my calves were so swollen that they filled my bootleg trousers completely. I wedged on a pair of trainers - couldn't lace them up - and went for a slow walk. Within 15mins I was able to lace the shoes up, and by the time I got home after about 30mins stroll, my legs were back down to 'normal' (ie just a bit swollen). Perhaps you could go swimming, so that you exercise your upper body as well as your lower.

But please get checked again. Home BP monitors are often not as reliable as 'professional' ones.

I was in the delivery suit sunday night being checked as hadnt felt baby move, i did mention it to them then, but they didnt seem to be bothered by it. I
Im in for another scan and check up on thursday!

I've had swollen hands and feet for about 10 weeks now and had to remove my rings & watch quite some time ago. Was a bit emotional taking off my rings. Am now 39+2 weeks. Even my old slippers don't fit anymore!

Been checked for PE and diabetes & had lots of extra scans. MW and consultant watching the swelling but not worried as blood pressure is normal.

Worth getting your BP checked again. Put your feet up!!

Could the swelling just be down to the fact i have gained quite abit of weight since being pregnant, or is the weight gain the fluid retention? Was 8st 7lb pre pg, just gone over 13st now.

This is my first and i was showing really early which the midwife said was excess fluid?

Exercise really helps. I walked two miles a day until I managed to get SPD last week. Tried a whole day rest on Sunday and my feet were ginormous. As long as I walk, despite the pain, the swelling is a lot less.

The only thing I found that worked was having my baby!

Do you ever see black dots in your vision?

When you press a finger on your swollen ankles, does your skin take a while to come back?

If 'yes' to either, get yourself checked at hospital. Not just blood pressure but urine test. No need to take chances.

If it's any consolation (1) thank your lucky stars you are 39+ weeks in January and not in the heat of August (like I was), and (2) you will be fine once the baby is out.

I don't know about exercise when so far gone, though.

I had awful oedema with both girls.

Had hypertension, but not pre-eclampsia.

LOTS of water and juice. LOTS.

Feet up when you're sitting.

The good news is that after you have the baby, you will lose so much weight and people will be stunned at your thinness .

I do hope your right expatinscotland, as i am so embarressed by the size of me at the mo, you cant tell the difference between my thighs and my calfs!!!!

Have just been for a short walk, but doesnt seem to help much.

I just need to have this baby but it just doesnt seem to wanna come into the world!!!

my calves were like cricket bats.

i mean, i was so swollen, people who first met me when i was very pregnant thought i had been really overweight when i fell pregnant.

i was a size 8.

i cannot tell you how much i peed for about 3 weeks after those babies were born!

Did you have twins???

no. i had massive swelling with each one of my girls.

was in and out of the day clinic in hospital and the surgery, having my BP and urine tested.

i mean, i had horrible pitting in my calves. it was BAD.

but about 3 weeks after each girl was born - magic! i lost ALL that water.

It was a sign of eclampsia for me so would echo the toehrs BUT if you're ebing checked regularly (and I do mean regualrly- BP every other day and urine sticks at home for daily use would be an ideal) then celery etc might help I guess

A warning that can be a bit TMI:

I gained over a stone overnight whilst expecting ds1. In the days after his birth I leaked water through every orifice and it was really, really traumatic- far more so than the birth or anything else. Just to warn you, so you are prepared- nobody mentioned it as a possibility to me.

My urine and bp will get checked again on thursday, but my doctor at the hospital i go to doesnt seem concerned about my swelling!