2 days post delivery, edema worse now than ever.....is this normal?

Question

I got edema (swollen ankles) pretty bad the last couple months of pregnancy, but I thought it was supposed to go away after delivery.

Answer 1

If you had IV's and/or an epidural that's probably why. Long labors on your back can also make the swelling worse. I always have the Flintstone looking feet after giving birth, but if you walk around as best you can and drink lots of fluids, it'll go down pretty quick.

Answer 2

Edema doesn't always go away right after delivery. You still have a lot of retained fluid. You will be urinating a lot and in about 7-10 days the swelling will go down.

If the swelling does not resolve within a week or if you have bad headaches or pain in your legs, this may be a sign of high blood pressure. If the swelling is in only one leg or ankle and is accompanied by severe pain; it could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot) and you would want to call your doc!

Answer 3

This is very common. During pregnancy your body has a lot of excess fluid and within the week to 10 days following delivery the fluid will slowly be purged from your body.

Answer 4

Quick trick the nurse taught me. Raise the foot end of your bed. Always keep the feet up. Made a huge difference. Congratuations!

Answer 5

Wait more than 2 days.

Did you have an IV in the hospital?

It may sound counterintuitive, but keep up your water intake and don't cut out salt entirely.

Answer 6

I think you are supposed to drop a lot of water weight etc in the days after the birth. My sister looked a lot thiner about a week after. Ring your doc.

Answer 7

yeah it is normal-prop your feet up and get off of them and give it a couple of days and it will probably go back down

Answer 8

it takes time your body just went through alot of changes. Be patient and before you know it you'll be back to your old self again.