Any help to reduce feet swelling during pregnancy?

Fidelia - posted on 07/12/2009

At night while sleeping you can prop your feet on pillows preferably two to reduce the swelling. It works.

Brittany - posted on 07/11/2009

im having the same problem right now! the heat doesnt help either. but the only thing that has really helped me besides keeping my feet elevated and living off ice water is watching what i eat to. the sodium in what you eat and drink can make you swell up. i didnt think it would really be a big difference but it has helped me alot! and treat yourself to a pedicure! that helps alot too! goodluck momma! :)

Elisa - posted on 07/10/2009

Thank you all!! I'm new to this whole pregnancy thing (this being my first) and there are so many new things happening almost every day it seems! I'm off to the grocery store tomorrow to try your suggestions... it's nice to be able to ask people who know. I'll be at my OB on Wednesday, so I'll ask them about the blood pressure stuff.

Elicia - posted on 07/09/2009

There are so many factors I'm not sure there is anything that could be a deffinite fit. Cutting out salt is a good one though because it helps your body retain water. With both my pregnancies I was retaining water. With the twins it was for more of the pregnancy and for longer periods. I think it had to do with the way the boys were sitting, because with my daughter I didn't swell until the last week before she was born and that was the week I took off work to relax so I was sitting down more often.



With the boys I tried to sit all the time and it didn't help. Though if I stood up for long periods I swelled horribly the next day.



good luck

Nadya - posted on 07/09/2009

put some slices of lemon in the water that you drink. that worked for me. Also, stay away from the refined sugars and flower dishes that we love so. those just put the pressure on. You may also want to try some celery as it clears the blood. But a few stalks, not just one. I use to make fresh carrot juice and add the same amount of celery stalk to the blend. You can barely taste it then.

Elise - posted on 07/09/2009

I am 29 weeks and have had no swelling problems this time arround. Here is why- I have been eating all kinds of food that grows on a vine. Squash, zuccini, all kinds of mellon, and tomatoes. I eat either zuccini or squash with almost every dinner and have mellon for a snack. My best friend got bells palsy with her most recent pregnancy due to all of her swelling. Her doctor had no answers and said it "may" go away after the baby was born. She ate what I suggested and her bells palsy was gone in a week! Her doctor could not believe it. These foods all help your body cary extra fluid out in a natural way. Congratulations, and enjoy while these foods are in season.

Dorothy - posted on 07/09/2009

I am experiencing the same thing right now, and found all the comments helpful! Think I'll buy some epson salt today! Never heard of fennel tea before, but think I'll try the exercising too. My doctor told me to cut back on sodium, and I have really been watching it, but my feet/legs seem to have a mind of their own and swell whenever they want, regardless of how religious I've been with my eating. It's frustrating too, because sodium is in almost everything! I have bought a generic form of "Mrs. Dash" for seasoning so I'm not salting anything anymore. The cereal I've found with the least sodium is Frosted Shredded Wheat-5mg. Hope this helps...

Chenoa - posted on 07/08/2009

Sometimes cold water can help or a good massage! cut more salt out of your diet if you can. Best of luck!

Chantelle - posted on 07/08/2009

i found that with my pregnancy fennel tea worked, dockters all over recomend it, u will pee alot the first night drinking it but trust me the next day u will feel better, i had it so bad that i was to big to walk, my feet looked like balls LOL-try it, maybe u also have luck

Marta - posted on 07/08/2009

Massage increases circulation which can reduce swelling, try soaking your tootsies in a warm foot bath for 5-10 minutes then get your hubby to massage your feet.

Lucille - posted on 07/08/2009

cut out the salt i had the same problem in pregnancy dont eat anything with a lot of it

Karen - posted on 07/08/2009

Treat yourself to a foot spa - use cool water and a soak treatment - its very soothing

Shauna - posted on 07/08/2009

Did you try soaking your feet in warm water and epsom salt?

Diane - posted on 07/08/2009

For me, and each pregnancy, I bought a bag of epsom salts, and when my feet were really swollen, I'd load up the tub with hot/warm water and quite a bit of the salts. Soak for a bit, especially the feet, and the next morning, the swelling was gone. Still works like a charm even after having kids :)

Divya - posted on 07/08/2009

Did you try soaking your feet in luke warm salt water.I bought an inexpensive foot massager (35-40 $) and put some salt in it and relax. It moght help. Alternatively you can just try filling the bath tub and sitting with your feet immersed. Also I practised some pregnancy yoga and that also helped with the swollen feet and the lower back ache. Hope this helps.

Jennifer - posted on 07/08/2009

Next time you go and see your doctor be sure to let them know about this becuase if you also have an elevated blood pressure than you could be in the beginnings of preclampsia, I had this with my first pregnancy i had a really bad case they ended up having to take him a couple weeks early because my blood pressure had gotten so high. BUt dont worry if the doctors catch it they will let you know what to do, i had to go somewhere everyday and check my blood pressure and record it for my doctors my last month and half that way they could see how rapidly it changed. But the worst came during delivery but if they know what is going on with you beforehand you'll be just fine just dont worry or stress over this consult your doctor with any questions you have. With my 2nd pregnancy i swelled really really bad especially my feet it got to where i couldnt wear shoes or flips flops and the only problem i had was retaining water i was freaking full of it yet i was dehydrated the whole pregnancy lol go figure haha Im currently 30 1/2 weeks pregnant with my 3rd and i am swellin really bad and not any real reason as to why either i just am lol So just hang in there. Good luck with everything

Marnae - posted on 07/08/2009

I had pre-eclampsia also. I would check with your dr regularly just to make sure. The warning signs are usually fast weight gain due to water retention, protein in your urine (usually checked at each appointment) swelling not going down, and the tell-tale (pre-eclampsia=pregnancy induced hypertension) high blood pressure readings. If your dr is keeping an eye on you and not worried about this, there are some other things you can do to help. I have researched this extensively and talked to my dr at length so it doesn't happen with the next baby. My drs had me drinking a gallon of water each day and closer to two on hot summer days. Also try to watch your sodium intake. There are varying opinions about salt, but it's always a side-note in everything I've researched. Try to eat less processed foods -pre-made foods, fast food, restaurant foods. Try to stick to the perimeter of the grocery store -fruits, veggies, dairy, deli, bakery. And the last thing, make sure you're getting exercise, this may cause a little initial excess swelling, but it also gets the blood moving and reduces possible risks. My drs recommended nothing strenuous and if it's hot do it early in the morning or after dark. Take a walk or jump on an elliptical. Good luck, I'm glad you're checking on this early so you and your dr can ensure a good, healthy pregnancy! You're doing the right stuff, keep it up :)

Liz - posted on 07/08/2009

my hands and feet also got very swollen lukily my mother was here to tell me about preclamsia i asked my mid wife about it turns out i had a slight case of preclamsia which can be serious but dont freak out you mite not have it ask your mid wife about it she may send you for tests I had to be induced because of it

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 07/07/2009

What you're doing is what I was going to suggest. I also heard about the hose you can wear. You may want to talk to your doctor to make sure your blood pressure is ok, just in case.

Nicole - posted on 07/07/2009

Unfortunately, with the heat, it won't get much better. My feet and fingers swelled too, I couldn't wear my wedding ring and had to wear flip flops in the winter because my shoes didn't fit! Keeping my feet elevated didn't help a whole lot either. You might try some kind of support hose. Check where the foot products are at the drugstore or ask your doc.