Why do pregnant women swell up the last month of pregnancy?

Question

Obviously, we are swollen throughout our pregnancies, but my feet and hands are especially swollen this week at 34 weeks and I remember someone saying to me a while back, "Just wait until your last month! You swell up a lot!" Do you know why? My feet look like Fred Flintstones right now! I cannot get my engagement ring off. I hope they don't have to cut it off! It doesn't bother me. but none of my shoes are fitting properly at all! WHY????????

Thanks guys! I'll call my doc today just to make sure that it is not that pre-clampsia. I am not over weight though, but I do eat a lot of salt. I will cut that out these last few weeks. Maybe that will help. MUAH!

Answer 1

Okay, well basically fluid is always being pushed out of our capillaries into the intra cellular spaces (tissue.) Usually the lymph vessels pick up this excess fluid and transport it through the network of the lymphatic system and out of the body. When you are pregnant, there is higher osmotic (water) pressure in the blood vessels, in other words, there is a higher pressure pushing fluid and other nutrients through the placenta walls (to get to the baby) but this pressure is in the other blood vessels too. So it pushes more fluid into the tissue and the lymphatic system can't keep up. As for why it is worse in the extremities, the lymph vessels have to work against gravity. Lymph is very slow moving as it relies on the movement of your body, especially your muscles as you walk, or move at all.
Another reason is the levels of ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) could be high also. Well, you know what diuretics do, they make you wee. So the opposite means not as much fluid gets brought to the kidneys. So there you have it!

Get your blood pressure checked often in case you start getting pre-eclamptic, but otherwise, just ride it out baby! God knows, you'll be wanting to push the baby back in, in a few months when you are sleep deprived! I know I did.

Answer 2

I would be careful of this. Some swelling is normal but if you have high blood pressure or excess weight gain in a short period of time then you may have preclampsia. I had this during my pregnancy and had to go on bedrest at 33 weeks. Explain your concern to the doctor and he/she will inform you of signs to look for.

Answer 3

Extra fluids. I couldn't wear my wedding bands for the last 2 months. That and you are carrying around the baby which puts extra pressure on your limbs and feet causing some swelling.

Answer 4

Swelling comes from a build up of water and other fluids that your body goes into overdrive to produce for the nourishment of the baby. It also has to do with you eating habits...salts, caffefine and things of that nature should be low on your list of diet choices.

Answer 5

preeclampsia is a concern, I swelled so much my shoes didint fit and my feet hurt to walk and I didint have preeclampsia. It depends on what youeat too, I retain if I eat too much salt.

Answer 6

Because the baby is picking up body weight so the pressure is building up

Answer 7

umm well i am in my last month to oct 8. yea i got really swollen to but i really wanna know too.. i have to idea why sorry.. maybe if u find out you could tell me.. anyhoo
good luck with ur birth

Answer 8

My doctor told me that the last month is when the fluid in you body are more tense. you are about ready to have the baby and you need them . this is in my term not my doctors. HAHAH

Answer 9

go and get it checked soon as - you could have pre- eclampsia ( overly high blood pressure) and need it dealing with coz it could be dangerous. You could also have water retention.

Answer 10

www.babycenter.com
Call OB GYN and speak to a professional nurse