Edema

BabyBabe wrote: I read in a pregnancy book that mild Edema (swelling) of the ankles, feet, hands and the face occurs during pregnancy. But they don't say if it's a good or bad thing or even why it happens to us.

I get occasional edema on my right ankle and always on only my wedding finger to the point I have to take my engagement ring as well as my wedding band off (if my finger isn't too swollen, sometimes I can't get anything off and it's painful).

Does anyone know what causes it? or how to get rid of it for good? or at least reduce the swelling if I can't get rid of it for good.

CAMSMOM1 replied: I wish I could show you a picture of my feet when I was pg. Mine was anything but MILD. I had it so bad that my feet grew 3 sizes, I couldn't fit in most shoes, and it looked like I broke both of my ankles. Seriously, it was that bad. I stopped wearing my wedding ring at 6 months because of the swelling, and my face was so swollen it looked like I was stung by a bee! Every OB appt. I had, I asked him about my swelling. And he said it was fine, because my blood pressure was normal. It did not look normal! My sister took a picture of my feet, because she thought it was hilarious.
All it is, is water retention. All that helped for me was elevating my feet, trying to stay off of them. I drank a lot of water, which is actually a good thing to do. And I stopped using salt on my food.
Amazingly 2 weeks after I gave birth, I lost 25 pounds from all of the water weight. And I could finally wear shoes and wear my wedding ring.
I know how uncomfortable it is. Just try to rest, eat healthy foods/water, and elevate your feet.
I also got carple tunnel in my hands. All of your blood is going to the baby, and your circulation is all out of whack. It was always worse at night. This also went away after I delivered.
If you are concerned, like I was, talk to your doctor and make sure your blood pressure is good. Other than that, it's totally normal...unfortanely!


Ann

PrairieMom replied: How far along are you? I had really bad edema with my pregnancy, the Dr started getting worried that I may have pre-eclampsia. I started eating a reduced sodium diet and that helped for a while. Salt really makes your body retain fluid.
A little is normal, but I was gaining up to 4 pounds of fluid a week. that is way to much.

CAMSMOM1 replied:

Tara, did your doctor do anything for you? I was sooooo swollen, and all he told me was tell me to watch my salt intake, rest, stay off my feet, rest...but nothing HE could do for me. Did you have high blood pressure with it?

I was just wondering if there was something more they can do, cause I have never heard of anything.




Ann

moped replied: I had it BAD!! And I do have pictures because everyone was amazed at the size of me - ankles, fingers, all body parts. Started at about 36 weeks and stayed until Jack was about 3 weeks old

I don't know what casues it or how to help - I think having the baby is the only cure!

PrairieMom replied:
He put me on reduced hours at work, and the no sodium diet. Which, I might add was NOT easy to follow. I tried to stay below 2000 mg of sodium daily. 2 pieces of white bread contain about 200, so it was very hard to eat all the calories I needed while still keeping my sodium low!
When I wasn't at work I was on bed rest laying on my right side and drinking lots of water.
My blood pressure got a little higher, but not to bad. they were watching me weekily for signs of preeclampsia tho.
I sure hope I don't have that same problem this time!

BabyBabe replied: Well today I went to the doctors for my appointment at 10am even though I waited two hours and I was only seen for a whole 5 minutes at noon. Not much was done just mainly find out how much I gained in a month and answer any questions I might have.

In the first three months of my pregnancy I gained only 4 pounds, now from Dec 16 till today I gained another 4 pounds that to me is a big concern. I did ask about my edema all he said was not to worry about it, that it isn't all that bad,and so he left it at that.

But from now until Feb 15 I'll monitor my food intake and keep elevating my feet just to see if it helps with my weight gain and edema. I'm afraid I'll gain over 30 pounds during the pregnancy and the edema getting worse and worse and then right before my eyes everything is out of control.

PrairieMom replied: some people just get big when they are prego, and you may be one of them. I wouldn't worry to much if your Dr. isn't concerned about it. I would be careful about monitoring your diet to much, you want to make sure that you are still getting all the calories and nutirents you need. One place I would suggest you look at is sodium tho, if you are really concerned about it. There is a ton of sodium hiding everywhere!
I am 18 weeks, and i read that by this time you are supposed to have gained about 10 pounds, although everyone is different. 4 pounds in a month , to me doesn't sound out of line.
The guide line I was told is that you should gain 5 pounds your first tirmester, then 1 pound a week for the duration of your pregnancy.

CAMSMOM1 replied: PrairieMom Posted on Jan 16 2006, 05:16 PM


I agree. 4 pounds isn't bad. And ITA that a pound week sounds about right. BUT...you will see some months you will gain more, and others less. They recommend gaining 20-25 pounds your intire prg, if you are normal size person. And if you are overweigh to begin with, 15-20 pounds.
I was overweight when I got pregnant, and I gained 30 pounds. But I looked at it this way, I had edema and was extremly swollen, I had a 9 pound baby, your placenta weighs 2-3 pounds, extra blood another 3 pounds....so about 15 pounds is just from the baby, extra blood, placenta, and water weight.
After I had Cameron, I weighed myself 2 weeks later and I had lost 25 pounds!!! I lost the water weight, and I was breastfeeding...which burns alot of calories.
I think it's way to soon for you to be worried about your weight. Your doctor doesn't see it as a problem. Yes, it's good to eat healthy, but you need extra calories when your pregnant. And if you have a craving, go for it! But like I said, and Tara (PraireMom) said, watch your sodium intake, and rest. It will hellp with the swelling.
You're doing a great job!
Ann

Mommy2Isabella replied: I haven't gained any weight ... I have actually lost about 15 - 20 lbs. I am sure there is nothing to be concerned about right? I am in my 10th week. I have had HORRID morning sickness though. ...

PrairieMom replied: I think its pretty normal to loose your first trimester. I lost 6 pounds in the first 12 weeks when I was prego with my first. This time I didn't loose any.

luvmykids replied:
I didn't lose quite that much but I also had the worst "morning" sickness. I'm sure your doctor will talk to you about it next time you go. The good news is for many women the sickness goes away after the first trimester!

PrairieMom replied: babybabe, any updates?

BabyBabe replied: Tara,

At my last doctors appointment, the doctor wasn't concerned about my weight gain or my edema, pretty much said if anything goes wrong to give him a call but other than that not to stress over it.

For about two or three weeks now instead of watching my weight I've been watching my sodium intake and tried my hardest to keep my feet up while watching tv or laying in bed. I've noticed a BIG change my fingers still swell, so I took all rings off until I have the baby, but my ankles don't swell anymore.

But what I've noticed some of my shoes are starting not to fit me anymore, I'm a size 4 in shoes I might have to go buy a size 5 or maybe 6.

Will my feet keep growing and will they go back down to my size 4 after the baby is born? I have so many shoes I would love to wear them later on.

And.... this Thursday coming up, I'm going for my second ultrasound,and I'll be getting another baby picture, I so can't wait! maybe they'll be able to tell me the gender of the baby

PrairieMom replied: I hear that feet can grow durring pregnancy, mine didn't. I don't know if they will go back or not. are they acutally growing or just swelling from fluid? Mine swellep up so much after I delivered my first baby that I could barely get my largest slip ons on, but they went right back down after a day or so. I acutally "pee-ed" of over 30 pounds of fluid in just over 2 weeks.