Extremely swollen ankles but BP, urine and bloods fine?

[DefinitelyMaybe92]

Anyone else had any experience with the above?

I’m now 32 weeks and since about 26 weeks I’ve had extremely swollen ankles/feet. It’s that bad that sometimes I’m unable to go out because I simply can’t get shoes on.

As soon as I’m up and on my feet for more than 10 minutes they swell from ankle to toes. The only remedy I’ve found is to sit with them propped up, but surely I can’t do that all the time?!

This is my first baby, so I don’t have any other experience to go off, but none of the other former or current pregnant women I know have been this bad.

I flagged it with my MW (along with severe headaches I had had in 2nd trimester) who checked my bloods, BP and urine. All showed normal, and they’ve continued as normal too.

I guess I’m just looking for any advice, knowledge or shared experience as I’m going out of my mind! I missed a big occasion this past weekend due to it and I feel like it’s been a bit excessive.

This combined with recently diagnosed PGP is rather getting me down now.

It’s good that you’ve flagged it with your midwife. I was diagnosed with pre eclampsia at 27 weeks following swelling in my face, hands, lower legs and ankles. I had a tingling sensation in my arms up to my elbows and what felt like pins and needles. Close friends and family also noticed I sounded weary and breathless and I had developed floaters which affected my vision. Your symptoms may not have anything to do with pre eclampsia but it’s always worthwhile checking anything you’re unsure of. You can always call triage if you’re not due to see your midwife.

So glad they found it early! I have had some “sparkles” in my vision all the way through pregnancy (severe headaches stopped after 2nd tri) but they’ve been kind of flippant about all of my symptoms - despite the fact the swelling is quite extreme - due to the fact my bloods/BP/urine are all showing absolutely fine.

OP if they are flippant but you feel something is wrong then you need to push them to see you again.

Swollen ankles are a sign of preeclampsia. My cousin had it and this was her only symptom, she ended up having an emergency C section at 32 weeks when it suddenly got worse (the baby was fine :) )

Keep telling them about it to make sure they know and you are on their radar. If you feel your midwife isn't listening, ask to see a different one.

It might be nothing, but it sounds like you are not really feeling heard and that is so important in pregnancy.

Do keep your feet elevated and try not to stand/ sit still for too long. Gentle walking/ cycling/ swimming etc will all be good if you are up to them.

Also might be worth you investing in a home blood pressure monitor - they are not very expensive on amazon and you can then monitor yourself, and go straight to the doctor if it increases.

Thank you! Yes, not really feeling like I’m being taken seriously with this one. Did your cousin have elevated BP or anything? I’ll certainly have a little dig online and see if I can pick up a piece of kit (and some instructions, as I have no idea how to read them ha). Thank you.

Are you normally prone to swelling eg in heat?

I also got amazingly swollen legs and feet, albeit slightly later on, and never had any other signs of pre-eclampsia. I gave birth to my baby at term with no issues.

I could only wear flip flops for about two months though, and my toes looked like they were going to pop off my feet.

It was unnerving though. Elevation and I quite enjoyed putting them in a bucket of cold water.

I can’t say it’s something I’ve ever noticed when not pregnant! It just appeared in the 2nd tri - one foot first, then the other. And now my hands also swell too, though nowhere near as bad as the feet. The bucket sounds like a great idea, thank you!

I had terrible swelling in my hands and feet especially in my first pregnancy, but didn't have pre eclampsia or anything. So it's not necessarily a sign of anything sinister, if the medical team aren't concerned.

You can do lymphatic massage to reduce the swelling temporarily, basically light strokes from ankle to knee. I found that helped a lot.

After the birth you'll sweat buckets at night and it'll all go that way.

Thank you, that’s reassuring. As I say, I missed a big occasion this weekend where there were other pregnant women there and they all seemed to get on fine (I’m told), but for me, for this reason alongside PGP, it just wasn’t feasible. I couldn’t even get my shoes on. I’m not a particularly “dramatic” character and like to just crack on with things, so I’m getting quite down with it all!