Hi Carmen
In my first pregnancy I had a similar experience to you. I had high BP the whole 3rd trimester, with occasional protein in my urine, but had HUGE feet and hands and my face swelled up like a puffer fish! That was when I went into hospital overnight - just to be monitored. I ended up being diagnosed with PE, which surprisingly didn't worry me at all because I knew I could do nothing about it except rest (yeah right!) Chloe came at 37 weeks, due in part to the PE but also some other things, but everything turned out fine.
This pg is completely different, although I have the same trouble with my hips that you do, and the pain between the legs. Mine is due to an unstable pubic symphisis, and is very common in pregnancy. I have been seeing a physio for it and it is really helping. Try not to worry about the swelling thing though. As long as you are having checkups and being monitored, there's not much else you can do. I also found during my first PG I went from a size 5 1/2 shoe to a 6 1/2, then after dd was born back to a 6, and now nearly the end of this pg I am a 7 1/2!!!
Oh, how I wish that my baby will decide to show NOW! I am beginning to think that I might have an unstable pubic symphysis because of the added weight my hips are not taking in very well. It hurts even when I try to sit or the moment I move my hips. I don't remember feeling this way last pregnancy. It hurts more even DH and I DTD... It was DH's birthday yesterday and we DTD and boy, I was in a lot of discomfort even though he was being extra cautious.
Will my swelling stop because it doesn't seem like it can collect any more fluid. My skin is so swelled up and it looks like it's going to explode any time. I can't even make a fist with my hands and when I have to bend down, my feet feel horribly painful! Sorry for those who have to hear me vent but I feel a bit down with all the discomforts I am getting at this point. I'm so tired and am just hoping that it will end soon...
No, my doctor only said that I will have to put up with the oedema... I have asked her many times if I could do something about it but all she said was to wait it out. She suggested me not to do acupuncture though... so, at the moment, I am stuck and have no where to turn to besides seeing the swelling go on everyday!
At a guess, if she hasnt had much to do with accupuncture then Id say shes worried about the accupucturist doign the wrong points and putting you in to labour. Some specialise in pregnancy so knwo which points to use and which to leave alone.
I have also been told acupuncture is very good for water retention. It definitely seems odd that your ob would be against it.
I wouldn't have thought that inducing labour was a bad thing for you at this point even if the acupuncturist could manage it. Mine has assured me that unless the baby is ready to come then acupuncture won't change that, it just relaxes you and encourages the body to do its thing.
Swimming/ soaking in the bath can help relieve the swelling. Massage is good. Are you somewhere cool enough to wear stockings all day? I was swollen in Brisbane in summer so never tried it, but putting on pressure stockings before you get out of bed in the morning is supposed to really help with legs. Don't suppose it would do anything for your face though.
My doctor thinks that it's best I don't do anything regarding the swelling because she said it's a normal part of the pregnancy. She mentioned that acupuncture could be helpful to some but not to all... so she suggested that since I don't have too much longer to go, I should just patiently wait it out (easier said than done)! LOL
I have tried massage a couple of weeks ago... unfortunately, I am one of those which massage has made it much worst. It was just gentle strokes and the very next day after the massage, my ankle swelled up so bad I had to put ice on them. I spoke with
my doctor regarding this and apparently the massage has promoted my circulation thus increasing more fluid retention. Am I just one of those odd ones! Now, my edema has gotten to a point where I could put a little pressure to that spot, and it'll stay "dented" for a minute before returning to its puffiness.
I have also bought stockings and wore them. And guess what, it didn't do anything either. Well, I guess I am one of the odd ones AGAIN! At least I know that my blood pressure is not elevated which means I am not close to getting preeclampsia. I am thankful for that. So maybe at this point, I should just try to "enjoy" the pregnancy symptom of the last weeks!
Interesting that she'd tell you not to have accupuncture... did she give you a reason?
Massage can help with oedema. There are massage therapists who specialise in lymphatic drainage, however even your DH can possibly give you a little relief with some massage.
He will need to use light, stroking movements - pressing too hard will not be good for you (and will be uncomfortable anyway). The stroking movements should be made in the direction towards your heart (i.e. if he is working on your legs, he needs to stroke upwards towards your torso; if he's working on your arms, upwards towards your shoulders.)
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