*Odema* in ankles....restless legs... signs of pre eclampsia?

[Shanti]

Hi,

I'm 27 weeks pregnant and since Sunday have had swelling in my ankles. It goes down a little when i rest and elevate my feet up however the swelling has still been there since Sunday. So that's 4 days now. It's uncomfortable and my legs also feel 'restless' probably because of the swelling. I'm trying to drink more water to help get rid of the fluid retention. Perhaps I'm not drinking enough?

Should I make a trip to the GP this week to get my blood pressure checked? Or should I wait til my appointment with GP next Tuesday that's already booked (for GD test results).

Is this just a normal pregnancy symptom for the third trimester or could it possibly be a sign of pre eclampsia?

[Arimeh]

Hey Ren

One of the signs for PE is swollen parts - but I was swollen with DS - and not DD - and I didn't have PE.

I also had restless legs, but its more a deficiency of magnesium that makes them go like that - not PE.

They'll check your BP at your next appointment anyway, but if you are concerned (or get other symptoms of PE) go to your GP to get checked out.

[Alan]

Hi Renstar
Sounds like normal pregnancy symptoms to me. Swelling of the ankles is very common. It would be more of a concern if your face was swollen as well. I dint think that you need to make a special trip to your GP you will be OK to wait until Tuesday

[Junglemum]

If you were concerned you can alwasy pop into a pharmacy and ask them to take your BP, then if it was elevated you go to Dr. Alot of pharmacies offer this service.

[Shanti]

Thanks Alan & everyone. I don't have swelling of the face (phew!).... might wait til Tues appointment then.

Legs feel good this morning and my ankles have gone down a bit more as they were elevated last night. Seems to help.... i'll just keep putting a pillow under my feet every night aswell as under my belly lol

Was a bit worried as I've had some nausea (mild) and read that could be a sign of pre eclampsia along with swelling.

[~Raven~]

I have swelling and restless legs but my BP and urine is fine

[Sophia73]

I had really bad restless legs during pregnancy - apparently quite common and not a sign of anything serious. It went away after the birth.

I also had "kankles" - funnily the welling in the ankles got worse for a few days after birth and then subsided really quickly. Again just normal pregnancy stuff.

[Pretty Butterfly]

I had massive swelling at the end of my last 2 pregnancies, and I expect it again soon...

Putting them up did help, but I was actually told a gentle stroll each night would help, as it helps move the fluid. And it did!! The swelling was non existant overnight, and definatly less through the day after a good night time walk...

Hope it settles hon....

[Shanti]

Thanks Jodie, I might try the gentle walking thing... I do need to walk more often after all bit slack lately.

[mumrach]

HI Ren,
Glad to see you are travelling along nicely. As for the swollen ankles and stuff, the heat and humidity up there would be playing a part in that I would say. From memory you live in my old neck of the woods and I can remember being hot and puffy with my second pg. Another lady mentioned lack of magnesium, and to combat this you could take a supplement called CALMAX (calcium and magnesium) I found it really good for blood pressure, swollen bits etc. I took it with my last pg and had no bp or anything. Mind you I haven't taken a thing with this pg and I am fine, so maybe it was just co-incidence Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say hi.

[Shanti]

Thanks Mumrach!! not long til you pop!! Glad to see you're doing well also!

I'll ask GP about magnesium when I see her next week. Until then I'll just put my feet up when possible. It has been very hot here lately....

[Shanti]

i just looked at my feet and my feet are so swollen!!!!

Should I ring hossy and ask midwives can i come in tomorrow to get BP checked?? Or am i being silly??

[Arimeh]

If you are concerned Ren just go to your hospital where you are booked in and get them to check it for you. Better than stressing about it

I got them all the time with DS but it didn't mean anything for me.

[Skyeblue]

Ive just been doing some reserch on this. Are you swollen anywhere else, like your hands or face? If not, it is probably normal.

But, if you are worried, you could get your bp checked for some reassurance.

[thepixie]

Ren I had this too when I was pregnant, and although they were REALLY swollen, BP and protein in urine remained fine throughout. (although initially I did worry about PE like you) One thing I found that really helped was reflexology massage. MMMMMMMMMMMM SOOOOO GOOD! Felt great at the time, and if done properly reduced the swelling for a day or so. Just wish I discovered it earlier in the pregnancy.

[visitor1]

I had it very bad with Chelsea....but my urine was fine..BP wasnt though...so my hospital kept a close eye on me. The swelling actually got alot worse after she was born (like where i thought my feet were going to explode and i couldnt touch them as they hurt so much!)

Cool foot baths help a bit too

Ive noticed my feet are beginning to get a little large now, but im putting it down to the weather temp along with normal pregnancy issues!

[mumrach]

Ren,
If you are concerned hun, ring the hossy. Just ask the midwives their opinion, it might put your mind at ease..

[Shanti]

Thanks girls.

Woke this morning and my feet and ankles aren't as swollen, they've really come down so i'm not going to go in to get my BP checked..... it seems to get better over night while resting and elevating my feet up. Just gotta keep doing this.
I'll try the cold bath for my feet/ankles next time they swell up.

My face does look a little bloated but it could just be the 9kgs i've put on since falling pg and my wedding ring is tight to put on now!!

I guess if it was PE then the swelling wouldn't be doing down would it....