Ok ladies, my feet, ankles and below my knees are so very swollen! They are huge!~ Now I have had swollen feet (and yes my hand are but not like the feet) before but not like this and not this early (34 weeks). So what advice do you have to help me? I am not a big salt eater so that’s not a problem. I only drink water, no pops, or juices and I can’t seem to figure out how to help it. So I thought I’d ask you intellegent women for some help. Thanks Misty
Have you checked with your doctor to make sure blood pressure and everything is in order? It may be good to do that and then perhaps the ladies have some great hints on ways to improve your situation. My girls were born at 27 weeks so I did not get to the swollen feet stage, but I am a great believer in checking with a doctor when pregnant, baby is way too important as is mum. Swollen feet and legs is common, but when it affects the hands in can signal pre-eclamsia. so please don’t ignore this too long without some professional help. I am sure all is fine, but better to be safe. Bless you and your little one – Linda
Yes – check with the doctor to get your blood preasure checked!!!!
Assuming it is ok, things I found that helped (never got rid of it entirely) – Soaking your feet and ankles helps some… foot rubs if you can get someone to do it…. and the one that is the hardest to do…..
SIT with your feet up as much as you can!
(Mine were so bad, so early, this last pregnancy that I had a couple of weeks that I was a step away from being put on bedrest!!!)
I do see my dr. on Wednesday. My blood pressure unless this be the 1st time (and there’s always a 1st) is always so low that if I have a new nurse they question how low it is. So I’m hoping that’s not it.
Rasberry tea.. off to the store. Sitting.. I have to work on more of, but how with school and 6 kido’s? Feet soaks.. ahh now I can handle that.. maybe at night after dinner. Then once they are soaked I can get my kids to take turns rubbing??? Now you have me thinking.
Thanks for the help and suggetions I wll try them ALL!
Speaking from experience also… this started to become a problem for me around the fifth pregnancy, and by the last one (#8) I had swollen ankles at about twelve weeks (ugh!). I also consume little salt, drink lots of water, etc. I had to resort to support hose, which were a lifesaver for me. I bought from Ames-Walker online. With those, I could function just like normal.
For me, also, a brisk walk around the yard was also helpful – if you have any trouble with varicose veins, make sure you alternate your sitting with some walking, if possible.
Blessings to you, you’ll be meeting your little one face to face before long….
I had swollen ankles with my first pregnancy – and it happened this time of year with the hot weather. I didn’t have the same problem with my winter pregnancy (or maybe my pants simply covered my ankles and I didn’t notice, lol!). Assuming everything is fine with you health-wise, try elevating your feet as often as possible.
I was supposed to sit with my feet up as much as possible – but making sure I walked around a bit as well! I was also recommended getting support hose, and that made a big difference….
I have a question about the Raspberry Leaf Tea. I am especially interested in the answer because I am at 37 weeks and have been having contractions for the last several weeks and I’ve heard it can bring on labor. Is this just a myth?
I’m just wondering if Misty should be using it at 34 weeks.
Misty, I would also increase your water intake…I know that’s probably the last thing you want to hear (or do!) but the excess water will help push out some of the water that’s swelling your feet.
My best friend had twins a few months ago, and in her last couple of months of pregnancy, her ankles got terribly swollen. She had the best luck with just keeping them elevated as much as possible. I know that’s easier said than done, though!
Just wanted to post: Had dr apt today and he said blood pressure is just fine (even low which is normal for me). Suggested more elevation and support hose. So where do I get support hose for pregnant moms? Could I just buy some for larger women? I don’t want to spend a lot and I can’t just do knee highs being I wear knee length skirts most of the time. Thanks
Glad to hear no ill health, just inconvenience, can’t help on the hose, but I do wish you well, and do hope you can find a way to keep those legs up. Linda
For the hose, try calling some Medical Supply Places. I don’t know if they’ll be specific for pregnancy, but after my husband had knee surgery last year, he had to wear those to keep down the swelling and we found them at a medical supply place (the kind that rents hospital beds, etc. they also sell things like the hose, braces, etc.)
I used to apprentice with a homebirth midwife and one thing that we suggested women do to help with swelling was to eat lots of watermelon! If you like it, than that is a pretty easy thing to do. I suppose that if you don’t like it, that wouldn’t be so fun! I’m glad to hear that your blood pressure is fine. Just pace yourself (so easy to say, so hard to do) During my second pregnancy I experienced swelling and I always took it as a sign to stop and take a break.
I also drank a wonderful pregnancy tea that was a mixture of Red Raspberry Leaf, alfalfa, spearmint, etc. It was delicious iced and I sweetened it with honey. I drank it by the liter. It is known for its ability to tone the uterus and so, yes, you might experience an increase in Braxton Hicks contractions. But that is good! I’m convinced that my two efficient labors were due to the pregnancy tea that I drank.