Swollen ankles/feet at 29 weeks!? Um....

[breakingdawn]

This does not seem right to me. I won't be 30 weeks until Thursday but today I noticed my feet and ankles are starting to swell! I don't even stand on my feet all day, I am mostly sitting. I am pretty sure this did not happen until at least week 33 or 34 last time. Should I be concerned? I have no idea how I am going to make it to week 39 for my c-section at this point if it's already getting bad. The braxton hicks contractions do not help! I've been having those since week 17.

 

[NannyWhitney]

Was it sudden swelling or gradual?

If sudden, call your doctor or midwife! It could be preclampsia. If gradual, I'm pretty sure it's normal.

Were you on your feet all day?

My feet swell if I walk too much...my doctor said it's normal.

Is it hot or humid where you are?

When I went on vacation to the beach my feet and ankles were swollen all the time. Again, normal.

Put your feet up and rest!

 

[kitcat]

My ankles first swelled up in week 24. Midiwfe says as long as they go down again when I put my feet up then all is fine. They have swollen about 4-5 times in the last 8 weeks x

 

[breakingdawn]

I just noticed it this morning. I do not stand on my feet much at all for long periods of time but I also read sitting can cause it and I sat for like 5 or 6 hours yesterday working on a stupid assignment for my masters program. Maybe that did it? They hurt though...

 

[breakingdawn]

I just had a doctor visit on the 24th though and urine was fine and so was my blood pressure so I do not think it is preclampsia unless it can come on suddenly??

 

[NannyWhitney]

I know sudden swelling is a symptom of preclampsia. Are your hands or fingers swollen too?

 

[breakingdawn]

My hands and fingers seem okay...

 

[kitcat]

mine is when I have sat still for a long period and strangely when I wear very flat shoes! Like ballerina flats? x

 

[breakingdawn]

I sat still for a long time yesterday... at least 5 hours. I mean I got up occasionally but not a lot. I noticed it this morning when putting on socks and shoes and then when I took them off when I got home. My ankles feel pretty painful actually. I am tempted to go to the drug store and use their blood pressure thing!!

 

[kitcat]

Can you elevate your feet? I would say drink lots of water and get them elevated and see if they go down. I think sitting still yesterday meant the fluid pooled in your feet - if you found they didnt go down or you started to get other symptoms then give the hospital a call. It scared the crap out of me the first time too - they didnt look like my feet!! x

 

[breakingdawn]

I am a little freaked out! I am drinking water now and I laid down earlier but they feel the same. Going to try again but it is hard when I have my 3 year old to chase around. Ugh! I don't feel any other symptoms though of preclampsia. And my blood pressure was waaaay in the normal range a few days ago. It was actually lower than it usually is when I am not pregnant.

 

[kitcat]

Aw try not to worry hun. It took quite a few hours for mine to go down x

 

[NannyWhitney]

If you haven't noticed any other swelling you'll be fine. Just monitor it, and if it gets any worse call your doctor or midwife.

 

[breakingdawn]

Thanks ladies.. this was just really unexpected! I wasn't expecting it for a while. Boo! It has gotten pretty hot here too, it's been in the high 80's for a few days now.

 

[NannyWhitney]

I bet the heat has something to do with it. I haven't had any swelling since I came back from vacation, but then again, it's been in the 50's and 60's here. It was 80+ while at the beach!

Just something to look forward to as it warms up!

 

[artiste]

Sitting in an office chair can do it too. I was getting some pretty bad swelling at work. since I stopped working and put my feet up regularly it has gone down a lot. It doesn't seem too early for you to get swelling. It can get better again if you are careful about not walking too much or sitting in bad ways that will cause fluid to pool.

 

[breakingdawn]

I am going to be planting myself in a pool until July 5th! lol!

 

[NannyWhitney]

Haha, great idea! Though, the idea of myself in a swimsuit at this point is a bit terrifying!

It's supposed to warm up to the 80's this week, so we'll see if my feet begin to swell again.

 

[breakingdawn]

I have an ugly maternity swimsuit. Ugh. Can't wait to sport that at the pool. Just call me Shamu!!!!

 

[NannyWhitney]

I have an ugly maternity swimsuit. Ugh. Can't wait to sport that at the pool. Just call me Shamu!!!!

I felt horrible enough at 23 weeks in a bathing suit! Since I'm a nanny, I know the kids will be clamoring to be at the pool once it starts to get hotter out. I guess I'll just have to suck it up and be at one with my whale.