The swelling!!

[Ccjjc]

What do I do about this swelling? I’m 35 and 4. It’s mainly my lower legs, feet and ankles and it’s pitting quite a bit when it’s at its worst. I also have fluid on one of my knees, but doctor says it localised and likely separate to the lower swelling (I have bad knees from years of marathon running) Tiny bit in my fingers but not noticeable by anyone but me. But it’s bad. I can’t even fit crocs on my feet. The only thing that helps even slightly is elevation. I’m making sure to get up and walk around too. However I feel like I’m trapped in the house and am going crazy! Went to the shops for an hour and a half last night and it almost wasn’t worth it because the swelling got so bad after that. I can’t just sit with my feet elevated 24/7. 😭

I’ve been tested for everything, including forcing docs / midwives to give me blood tests (multiple times out of paranoia) - no pre eclampsia, no GD. Seen doctors at the MAU twice who have felt my legs and said that it’s above average swelling for pregnancy but have ruled out blood clots etc. One doctor mentioned it could be linked to heart or kidneys but it’s very pregnancy specific for me, I’ve never had this issue before and I have no other symptoms of it being related to that. And if I start over thinking it, I’m going to spiral and my mental health has already been poor this pregnancy!

Ive tried compression socks, which actually made it worse and I’ve cut back on salt and like I said I’m elevating the legs! Any other tips and tricks any one has? It’s tight and painful and making my anxiety even worse

I got this when pregnant. I think I have poor circulation and mild lipodedema anyway but in general it's not an issue unless I stand for a really long time. The pregnancy changes in my body made it really bad. When you elevate are you keeping your feet above your head or just putting your legs up? Sleep with your feet up on lots of cushions so above your head and do the same at any opportunity. You could try doing lymphatic massage to help it all flow away too.

The thing which blew my mind was after giving birth it literally disappeared within days (of constant peeing). Happened in both pregnancies.

Thank you! It sounds really silly but how do I keep my legs above my head without laying flat on my back - which we aren’t meant to do 🙃

How’s your blood pressure? Is it healthy and stable?

Your swelling sounds like mine was in my pregnancy. I had pre eclampsia but my blood pressure was stable so I was able to continue to full term. My BP spiked on the day I went in to be induced.

Stay off your feet and yes keep them above your heart. Lots of pillows and cushions to elevate them.

Try the compression socks again.

My body dumped all of the swelling within about 24 hours of giving birth. I had a catheter in so no frequent loo trips for me. Instead the nurses had to empty the bag more frequently than usual. I was so thirsty during that time. It was like my body knew I needed to flush it out of my system.

My blood pressure was elevated for a week or so, so I worried about pre eclampsia. I begged them to do the blood tests and they came back well under the likelihood of developing it in the next few weeks. Have also had my blood pressure profile done twice. First time the average was higher but not a “cause for concern” and yesterday apart from the first once where I was anxious as heck all of my readings were around the 122/77 mark which is very slightly elevated but not what not what is considered pre eclampsia levels.

I will deffo try the socks again. I’m just not sure how to elevate my legs that high without going onto my back?

Do you have a home BP machine? Pharmacies usually sell them. I had to monitor my BP at least three times a day. Any significant increase and I was to go to the maternity unit at hospital to be assessed.

Isn’t pre eclampsia checked by doing a urine test for protein? Maybe it’s changed. Might also be a different country thing. I’m not in the UK.

You can probably get reasonably comfy lying on your side and elevating your legs. You could try sitting up and elevating your legs. If you lie on your back just keep an eye on the time and don’t stay in that position for too long. Personally my baby kicked the heck out of me so I knew that she was okay if I was on my back.

My swelling was so bad that it hurt to lower myself down onto the toilet. So much fluid in my legs.

Make sure you drink enough water. Any dehydration will make the swelling worse. Avoid adding salt to your food and avoid heavily salted foods like crisps or pot noodles.

Thank you for the advice.

Yeah I’ve had routine urine tests with no protein in and then I wasn’t satisfied that I didn’t have pre eclampsia, so I asked for the blood tests which assessed placenta function and the likelihood of getting pre eclampsia which came back fine too.

I was advised not to use a home blood pressure machine as I can get a bit obsessive and worry myself sick. I’m also 99% sure my blood pressure spikes have been stress and anxiety related as they came so much lower when I had my last profile because I was calmer and relaxed.

such a worrying time

I had this too just towards the end of my pregnancy same as you, it was awful. I kept my feet up as much as possible (reclining sofa), i stayed barefoot so no socks or shoes cutting in. Could you try compression socks that arent quite as tight? I didn't try them when pregnant but did think i should have. I also wondered whether lifting the bump might have helped; support band, swimming, anything that would take the pressure off. Just some ideas. My swelling went down so fast; i arriver at the hospital in flip flops that were really tight but went home 2 days later in normal shoes, so good!