ankle swelling

[Virgo]

Ok...so I don't want to freak out or anything but how common is ankle swelling? It seems to happen to me at the end of the day (I'm 28 weeks and still working as a teacher) and I can't even wear loose socks without them leaving an indent in the skin! I don't really have foot swelling and my hands etc seem normal (I can still get my rings on/off etc). I usually have low to normal blood pressure and the last appointment I had with my ob was 3 weeks ago. My mother and my sister never had any issues with pre eclampsia etc so I'm hoping this is just excess fluid from the pregnancy? I am drinking over 2 litres of water a day and going to the loo ALL the time!!! I just want to know how common swelling in the ankles is because I don't want to alarm myself necessarily. My next appointment is next week. Thanks!

[BekZ]

Ankle swelling is a common pregnancy affliction. I had major feet and ankle swelling from 28wks with my first pregnancy. Generally the doctors will keep an eye on your bp, your blood sugar, and proteins in your urine. If all these are at normal levels then you are ok. The swelling got really bad and my hands started to swell from around 36wks, at this point my doc was keeping a very close eye on me but nothing came of it.

Sounds like you'll be carrying big in summer. I recommend putting your feet up as much as possible. Get some cool sandals, and put your feet in a cool foot spa whenever you can.

[Netix]

I agree with Bek, but I don't know how common ankle swelling actually is. I didn't get it with my last pg, and I (to be honest ) don't pay much attention to how common or uncommon it is.

Apparently drinking lots of water helps to reduce the swelling (drinking more = less fluid retention , I don't understand it, but hey, I'll drink to that!) amount. I think I'm about as far along as you, maybe a week less or so.

[Snacks]

I believe it is common. If your BP is fine and you're not getting 'starry' vision or headaches I don't think you need to worry about PE.
Like Bek said, keep your feet up when you can - above your waist if possible. I feel for you - mine swelled horribly in the 3rd tri of my pregnancy. It's very uncomfortable.

[Alan]

Hi Vergo
As all the other girls have said ankle swelling is very common and in most cases not a problem.

[Tobily]

Hi Vergo
As all the other girls have said ankle swelling is very common and in most cases not a problem.

Really common, you're carrying more weight than you're used to and lots more fluid as well. Gravity just makes it all settle at your feet.

Swimming is fantastic for swelling - you don't even have to "swim", just get in the water and take the weight off your joints for a while. It feels wonderful once you're in there and when you get out you'll have ankles again

[butterfly_warrior]

Virgo, I'm a couple of weeks behind you, and also a teacher... I'm absolutely dreading the times ahead as I figure it will only get worse from here.

I've found it's worst on hot days, when I have to stand up a lot. So far I've been dealing with it by keeping my shoes on until I'm home (because if I take them off at all, they'll never go back on!), and then putting my feet up. DH came up with the lovely idea of putting a cold, damp wash cloth over my feet which helped amazingly to bring them down.

It's such a pain that OH&S requires me to wear closed shoes. Fortunately I normally have narrow feet so a regular pair of wider fitting shoes should see me through the worst of the heat while I'm still working. I can only hope anyway!

BW