Should I be concerned - swelling?

[Sterla]

All through my pregnancy I haven't had any problems with swelling, and my BP has always been fine at my check-ups. But in the last couple of days my left foot has swollen up - not heaps... it's only just visually noticeable, but I can feel that it's swollen when I move my foot around. I thought it was to do with the heat, but we've had a couple of much cooler days, and the same foot is still swollen. Also, it seems to be swollen all day from the early morning, even after a full night sleep when my foot is elevated.

I'm concerned about it being pre-eclampsia, though I don't think I have any other symptoms other than this odd swelling. My BP was fine at my last check-up (5 days ago). I've read that upper abdominal pain is a symptom... I haven't had upper abdominal pain, but I do get short, sharp pains in my lower belly, especially after going to the toilet.

I'm probably reading too much into all this, but I just want to be sure.

TIA

[Pandora]

Ring up your OB or midwife and let them know your concerns.
Sometimes oedema can be just another pg symptom, sometimes it can indicatesomethign else. Is it only the one foot and no where else on your body?

[Sterla]

Yeah, just the one foot - my left foot, and more the foot than the ankle. Really strange.

[Pandora]

Id definitely call them then, or even get a gp to look at it, its weird that the swelling doesnt reduce when its elevated, maybe its an injury? GP will be able to test for protein (PE) as well and BP if u cant see your ob, to set your mind at ease

[2CheekyMonkeys]

i think it can be quite normal to get swelling, even if you dont have PE. i would think that you would have more symtoms such as headaches, blurry/starry vision, upper abdo pain, high b pressure etc. but it cant hurt to go see a GP and get your bp checked. i probably would, just to put my mind at ease.

other than that, drink heaps of water, it can help with swelling and rest as much as possible. try and stick to the lounge/ bed for as much of the day as possible.

sounds like the lower abdo pains you are having after going to the toilet are braxton hicks.. i usually get most of mine after going to the loo.

[Sterla]

sounds like the lower abdo pains you are having after going to the toilet are braxton hicks.. i usually get most of mine after going to the loo.

Oh really - I always wondered about that! I thought that them being such a short sharp pain might have meant it wasn't that.

[Nai]

My left ankle also swells up - my OB said it was because often the uterus is uneven and places more pressure on one leg than the other. If you have no other signs then it is more likely to be because of that. Even on cool days my left ankle swells when nothing else does. When you raise your leg massage behind your knee and that help the lymphatic system drain the fluid more effectively.

[satya]

If you are concerned pop down to a chemist or local doctor & have your BP checked.

It's probably nothing though. I had swollen feet and ankles for months during pregnancy but it started with just the one foot. If you start getting pain in your calf you need to see a doctor ASAP as that's a sign of a clot.

Most of the time elevating my feet did not stop the swelling so that doesn't always work.

[Sterla]

Thanks for your advice girls . Yeah, I don't have any other symptoms. I've been sitting down for a while with that foot elevated on a cushion, and the swelling has gone down a bit. Maybe I've just been on my feet too much the past few days?

[2CheekyMonkeys]

Oh really - I always wondered about that! I thought that them being such a short sharp pain might have meant it wasn't that.

well it could be the round ligament pain too i suppose. i think you can get those from changing positions such as getting up.

[Sterla]

well it could be the round ligament pain too i suppose. i think you can get those from changing positions such as getting up.

I know it's not round ligament pains - it doesn't feel like that. Maybe it's BH, or maybe it's just one of those odd unexplainable pregnancy pains . Hopefully I won't have to worry about it for too much longer... any day now...

[2CheekyMonkeys]

:-) fingers crossed it all starts happening for you very very soon! it sux going over due! :-)