my wife is pregant and her legs and feet are swolllen, how do you help that?

Answer 1

she should stay off of her feet and elevate them as often as possible, reduce her intake of salt, and also talk to her doctor about it. Her doctor needs to make sure that her blood pressure is in a normal range ... swollen legs & feet may indicate pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure of pregnancy, which is a very serious condition.)

Here's something to read:
http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pcomplications/0,,midwife_3pwt,00.html

Answer 2

I hear many pregnancy ladies have swollen feet. Elevation helps, propping the feet with two pillows to move the legs on a downward angle and above the heart line.. And laying down on the couch or bed for a couple of hours allows the circulatory system to remove water.

Don't restrict fluid intake unless her gym says so. Rather watch the salts in the diet. Do you realize the many food are naturally high in sales? And that most boxed or prepared foods are high in salt? Stay away from those TV dinners and boxed dinners, etc.

Answer 3

The afore mentioned advice is good: elevate the feet, no constrictive socks, good diet, lots of water, gentle exercises like walking, gentle massage, stretch and rotate the feet and ankles, and rest frequently. To this I would add only: try to sleep on your left side, stay current with your doctor's appointments, and call your doctor immediately if you notice swelling around the face, eyes or hands.

p.s. "Toxemia" or pre-ecclampsia, is something to worry about, hence please stay current with your doctor and call if the swelling continues to worsen. It's common (7/100 pregnant women suffer), dangerous, and easily treated. Squeeker's information is just a little off. #1, it is NOT treated with a perscription, the treatment is induced labor. #2, uric acid balences do get out of wack, but they are neither the source of the pathophysiology, nor are they the primary worry. #3, red meat has nothing to do with anything. #4, hypertension is a constituant of pre-ecclampsia not a cause.

All in all, this sounds like a very normal pregnacy (aches and pains and all) and hopefully, congratulations will soon be in order.

Answer 4

Your wife may have a condition called: "Toxemia".
This condition occurs,when a pregnant woman is experiencing "hypertension". She may be very nervous,or worried about her unborn child. "Uric Acid " may have developed in the legs and feet,which comes from eating too much "Red Meat". Gout" can follow the processing of Uric Acid. Your wife will have to see a doctor,so a safe,non-medicated prescription can be given. In the meantime,she should keep her feet elevated,to keep blood circulation normal. You can help out with chores,until she can seek medical treatment.

Answer 5

Tell her to put them up. She can help prevent as much swelling by drinking more water, and limiting her sodium intake. The most important thing is to speak to her doctor about it though. You can even call the doctor's office and ask the nurse. If they think it is too much swelling, they will tell you what you should do. Always direct questions such as these to your health care professional. They are better equipped to answer your questions. I wish you the best of luck though. Congratulations on becoming a daddy!

Answer 6

This is called pedal edema and is the natural force of gravity and the excess of fluids. I suggest that you do not wrap her legs...it is normal but rest periods with her feet elevated will help. Do not use medications (OTCs) unless prescribed by your own physician. It is a bit uncomfortable for swollen legs and ankles but there should be not pain...if there is pain, then you should take her to your physician as she may have thrombophlebitis...a blood clot but it is my impression this is normal.

Answer 7

Let her relax and keep them elevated throughout the day!!!! This is going to happen with pregnancy, but keeping them elevated will help. Also consider her salt intake. This can add to the already normal swelling. Remember her blood volume and fluid volume has gone up with the extra baby inside......good luck.....both of you.

Answer 8

That is natural for pregnant women, especially if the child is a boy. That same thing happened to my girlfriend when she was pregnant on our first baby. Just let it be and after your wife gives birth, everything will be back to normal.

Answer 9

Get her off her feet. Lay her on the couch and prop her legs up with a couple pillows. It's pretty common.

Answer 10

have her prop her feet up on a stool and get some lotion and rub her feet and ankles going in the direction from toes to heart. It will push the fluid back up.