Swollen Feet?

Question

I feel as though I am doing all of the right things suggested by my doctor and other pregnant woman to keep my feet from swelling up like water balloons... but alas.. it still happens... Lately my feet and calves are swelling up to the point that it is extremely painful to walk..
And suggestions or quick fixes to reduce the swelling and discomfort?

Unfortunatly... my life does not allow for me to sit around and relax as much as I would like. My husband fell off of a ladder two stories up and broke both arms and wrists.. He is unable to do anythng at this point in time.. we also have a 4 year old.. so I have to take care of everything in the house right now.

CHLOE:
MY husband is not "trying to get attention or get out of doing things".. He is in a great deal of pain. When he hit the ground the bones broke and puntured through his skin in several places.. He has lots of nerve damage and can barely feed himself. Additionally I can't quit working or hire a maid as we are living off of one income right now. I appreciate your suggestions, but what an awful and judgemental assumption for you to make about my husband.

Answer 1

Because gravity plays a big role in swelling, elevate your feet at least three to four times a day. When lying on a sofa or in bed, prop your feet up on pillows; when sitting in a chair, place your feet on a footstool. (This also helps prevent back pain.) Here are some more tips:

•Don't sit for long periods of time. Make it a point to get up and walk for a few minutes of every hour.
•Wear full-length support stockings as often as possible, and avoid socks with tight bands around the calf or ankle.
•Exercise helps. Water aerobics are ideal because the "hydrostatic" pressure helps distribute fluids that have pooled in your feet.
•Ask your partner, if you have one, to give you a foot massage. It will increase circulation and help disperse the edema.
•Increase your fluid intake. It seems counterintuitive, but the more water you drink, the less swelling and water retention you'll experience.
•Don't squeeze your feet into ill-fitting shoes.

Answer 2

Lol. I didn't have ankles for about a month before my son was born. You could put a thumb imprint on my leg and it would stay there. I had to wear the dorkest shoes because none would fit. I only gained 25#s but probably 10 was water weight. I had 3 kids but this only happened with the first one. Prop your feet up and slow down. You won't have time later. Maybe take time off from work if you can. Cut out all salt. In fact, I've never gotten around to using much salt since. Good luck. It does pass.

I just read your additional info. Hubby can still read to your 4 year old and go outside and stuff. The housework can just wait. I swear, a man will do anything at a time like this to get attention and avoid doing additional work. Get a housekeeper for a while if you can or a mom, or sister. Maybe a teen in the neighborhood to help with the house. Lots of scary stories in here. I assume you have checked with your doctor. Mine was strictly water gain and I really couldn't do anything about it. Get hubby moving off his butt and you sit on yours and prop your fee up.

Answer 3

With my first baby I retained a lot of water. With this pregnancy (I'm at 33 weeks) I retain for a few days and then go back to normal for several days. I have noticed that this time around the water retention always seems to come when we start ordering takeout or eating fast food more often, and it leaves when we start cooking at home again. Looking back we did a lot of eating out during my first pregnancy, and surely it contributed to my swelling then also. Food other people cook is just always saltier than food you cook at home. Don't forget the other salt sources that we have lurking in our homes...chips, ketchup, canned soups, salted butter.
One thing I use to battle the fluid retention is the herb Nettle aka Stinging Nettle. I've used it a lot since 1995, and have therefore done a lot of research on it. It is safe and even considered good for pregnant women. It is called a "nourishing herb" for the pregnant woman providing many nutrients and having a very mild diuretic effect. You can find it at most health food stores although a lot or stores are out of stock this time of year because it is also used as a remedy for allergies.

Answer 4

Talk to your OB about this just to make sure it's not toxemia. I had the worst cankles when I was pregnant. It was really bad because it was in the summer, so I had no choice but to wear shorts or at least capri's. My feet also went up a whole size because of it. I was sure I had toxemia, but my OB reassured me that the swelling would go down after the baby was born. It took about a week after my daughter was born, but the swelling did go away. I elevated my feet under my desk at work and as soon as I got home. Nothing worked for me. I also drank nothing but water because I gestational diabetes. So, I don't have any suggestions for you except don't stress over it and take comfort in knowing that it won't be forever. Best of luck for a happy, healthy baby.

Answer 5

I had troubles with swollen feet also, but not as severe as you are describing. You have to drink LOTS of water, it will probably take a day or two to flush out of your system. Walking helps, and wearing shoes that support your feet (sneakers) should help too. Try not to eat too much salt either. If you really have severe swelling, you need to get to your doctor to have your blood pressure checked.

Answer 6

Make sure you drink lots of water and keep your feet elevated whenever you can. Make sure that you are getting your blood pressure checked regularly.
My sister-in-laws feet swelled really badly also, mine didn't...I was lucky.
If you notice swelling anywhere else, hands or face, you need to go to the doc immediately!

Good luck and hang in there!

Blessed Be!

Answer 7

You poor thing, it doesn't sound like you're having much luck!

I too suffered with swollen everything, but there is no quick fixes. The only thing you can do is elevate and drink water, as everyone keeps telling you. Hopefully you haven't got long to go. Is there no other family who can help, with daily chores and odd jobs so you can have a minute to yourself.

Good Luck and I hope your hubby is better soon, preferably before you go into labour! xx

Answer 8

first check with your doctor that its not something else thats causing the swelling, (like high blood pressure) if thats ok then see if you are eating things that contain a lot of salt, thirdly make sure that you get enough rest and make sure you have your legs elevated frequently during the day and try not to stay standing for long periods of time.

Answer 9

Drink water, avoid salty foods, and soak your feet in warm water w/ Epsom Salts. And, keep them elevated whenever possible. A massage could help as well, to get circulation going.

Answer 10

kepp them up when you can........but not to freak you out if you are having abnormal swelling of your legs then you should get checked out right away. this is a sign of toxemia and could be harmful to the baby and even fatal i dont want to scare you please........but better safe than sorry i had a friend pass away at 8 months due to toxemia and i would like more people to be aware. her doctor brushed her off and said it was normal. so be careful hun and call your doctor if they brush you off and tell you its normal well then get to the er and have them check u out!!!! while swelling is normal i dont believe you should be in pain.once again i dont want to scare you just want to make you aware.