need moms and preggo opinions - swelling

[surfergirl602]

Just need some opinions before I go getting myself all worked up. Long story short, I've been having some issues with swelling. Well, all week my ankles have looked like this, yesterday was worse. Now my calves are swollen.

My hubby isn't home this weekend, so before I drag myself back to L & D, I just wanted to see what others thought... if that makes any sense. I would have to bring all three of my kids with me, and if this is normal, and not something to worry about, as swelling usually goes along with the third trimester, I don't want to worry myself into a fit.

Anyway, I've looked online, and I can't seem to find the definition of "normal" swelling. All websites say if its severe, to see your doctor, but what is considered severe or normal? I'm on moderate bed rest so I haven't been overexerting myself or standing for long periods of time, and the weather has been nice, not too hot.
Your thoughts?

 

[drmommy]

Go see a doctor. There's really no way to know the significance of the swelling without doing a thorough history and exam.

 

[surfergirl602]

Go see a doctor. There's really no way to know the significance of the swelling without doing a thorough history and exam.

Thank you- I'm going to call in the morning and see if I can go in. Stinks that its a saturday and my hubby isn't home, otherwise I'd go now!

 

[PebblesMom]

I had swelling both times, and the doctor was not concerned until my blood pressure went up. I had swelling pretty much through out the 3rd trimester both times, and my BP went up with my first son at about 37 weeks and never did with my second son, so over all it was never anything serious, uncomfortable, but nothing to worry about. You might want to call the doctor, if for nothing else just some peace of mind. He/She knows your BP and protein levels from your last appointment and may just tell you to put your feet up and rest. My doctor did tell me to call him right away if I have a bad headache and swelling, but the swelling itself is normal! I hope that helps!

 

[MnMomtoboys]

Call your Doctor. I know it sucks but its whats best for you and the baby. My Doc didn't like it when it started creeping up my leg but the only thing she wanted was for me to be off my feet more.

Are there any other symptoms? If there is any tingling call your doc now. S/he will want you to go get a ultrsound on your legs.

 

[woodkins]

Please go to the dr. I too was on bedrest for placenta issues. I began to have swelling. At first it seemed like nothing, went to the dr for a regular wkly checkup and I had full blown toxemia, my bp was 180 over 140 and I needed to have an emergency c section before I stroked out. For me the delivery was not a cure and I had to be on blood thinners, magnesium etc. Swelling is a sign of possible pre-eclampsia which is very dangerous for mom and baby and not something you want to mess with.

 

[HunnyJar]

I agree with the PPs, call your Dr. Chances are since it's the weekend they will want you to head to L&D, but honestly.. Better safe than sorry. I also had quite a bit of swelling with my last pregnancy and was also on bedrest (from month 4 on) so for me, I wouldn't take the chance.

 

[surfergirl602]

Thanks everyone for all the great info!

Hopefully this just means the end is near!!!! LOL I called and got my BP checked this morning. It had gone up a bit from my last appointment, but went down again after sitting for a while, so I'll be drinking a lot and keeping my legs elevated for the next couple of days, and if it starts to spread then I'll go back in. I had my legs elevated last night and stayed on my left side, and the swelling went down a lot. My fingers aren't as bad today, either. So hopefully, this is just my "normal".

 

[crisi]

Its probably worthwhile at this stage in a pregnancy to have a few neighbors lined up who will be willing to swing by and pick up your kids (or watch them at your house) if you need to head in. Particularly as an Army wife, where you are often at the mercy of your husband's CO regarding his ability to help. I was in the hospital three times before I delivered - I had swelling and had pre-eclampsia, so my blood pressure was problematic. There was an early labor trip triggered by a flaming UTI (triggered by a Strep B infection). Everything turned out fine, but the standard answer to my OB for any call was 'better safe than sorry, lets get you under a monitor.'

Most people are eager to be helpful at a time like this.

 

[surfergirl602]

Its probably worthwhile at this stage in a pregnancy to have a few neighbors lined up who will be willing to swing by and pick up your kids (or watch them at your house) if you need to head in. Particularly as an Army wife, where you are often at the mercy of your husband's CO regarding his ability to help. I was in the hospital three times before I delivered - I had swelling and had pre-eclampsia, so my blood pressure was problematic. There was an early labor trip triggered by a flaming UTI (triggered by a Strep B infection). Everything turned out fine, but the standard answer to my OB for any call was 'better safe than sorry, lets get you under a monitor.'

Most people are eager to be helpful at a time like this.

We have a contingency plan in place. LOL I was in L & D just a few weeks ago because of a UTI and a bladder infection. Ouchy pain.

 

[luckyfin]

I swelled like that for a good amount of time during my pregnancy and it was jsut that. Swelling. My doctor did tell me on more than one occasion that I needed to decrease my sodium intake. Try telling a pregnant woman to not eat salty foods! I fully realized that the how uncomfortable and swollen I was was at least in part due to my food cravings and the food won out.

 

[Fintastic]

Try soaking in a (not too hot) bath. The theory is that the water compresses the fluids in the body and then forces them out. This is assuming of course that you're not having high blood pressure or anything medical going on that your doctor needs to see you for.

 

[PebblesMom]

Thanks for the update!

 

[DisneyClown]

My feet were waaaay worse than that for the entire second half of my pregnancy, like Fred Flintstone feet. My blood pressure was always good so the doctor said that's just the way it is for some women. She did tell me to watch the salty food, which I did, but my weakness was sugar anyway. Obviously it's always best to check with the doctor.

 

[viviensmama]

Hoo, I don't miss that! At the end of my pregnancy, I was swollen literally all the way up to my waist. I actually had low blood pressure the whole time, so everyone was shocked that I was so swollen. The best advice I can give you is wear compression stockings!!! It really does help, especially if you are in a situation where you simply cannot be off your feet all the time. Chin up, the end is in sight!

 

[DCbride]

If your Dr give the OK, try a pregnancy massage from someone who has a lot of experience with pregancy. We flew a couple of time when I was 6/7 months pg and I had horrible swelling. The massage was a lifesaver. I am not at all a massage expert but whatever she did, relieved a lot of my swelling and I felt amazing. The reduction in swelling lasted quite a few weeks too.

 

[amylevan]

I was pretty swollen...and I did have pre-eclampsia (I've never seen bp readings so high, I actually hit 200/150...). They induced at 34 weeks.

In discussions with my doctor, I learned that swelling used to be considered a symptom of pre-eclampsia, but now, it's only if its in conjuction with other symptoms because some ladies just swell for no reason. So see your doctor, but don't stress yourself out. It may mean nothing. (But do keep an eye on your bp!)