what exactly causes swelling?

Not preclampsia. No high bp. But OMG the feet and ankle swelling is unreal!!! Tried compression socks and did nothing today. I have 5 more months so go. I lowered salt intake. Nada helps. What is it? Just fluid? Extra blood? I don't quiye understand. Tia

Re: what exactly causes swelling?

I don't know, but talk about embarrassment when getting a pedicure yesterday!! One of the ladies who works there kept walking back and forth just staring at my legs. I was giving her the stare down but she never noticed because her eyes never left my legs!!!

Re: what exactly causes swelling?

try increasing your water intake and walking as much as you can!

Re: what exactly causes swelling?

I had the same with Logan... no reason for it (medically speaking), but since I was carrying SO low and I was enormous, the pressure on the capillaries in my groin and lower abdomen didn't allow for "adequate flow" and the fluid would just settle in my ankles and feet. It was a sight to see. If I can find my pics, I will put them in an album.

Re: what exactly causes swelling?

I was the same way. My feet were ridiculous.
I couldn't wear shoes.
I laid at night with my feet pracitcally up over my head with ice packs on them.
Drank gallons of water
Eliminated almost all salt.
NOTHING helped.

I was worried, but my doc wasn't and I had looked it up online- here is what I had found- Causes and Symptoms of Swollen Ankles in Pregnancy
The condition of swollen ankles, feet and toes, experienced in pregnancy, is known as edema. This condition is caused due to various reasons. The biggest reason for edema is excessive water retention. During pregnancy, the bodily fluids increase for the nourishment of the baby as well as the mother. At times, the body is unable to flush out these fluids appropriately, which causes water retention in the body tissues and as a result of this, your ankles swell up. Another reason for swollen ankles during pregnancy could be the pressure exerted on the pelvic veins, by the growing uterus. The pressure exerted causes the blood to collect, which forces the fluids down from the veins to the tissues of the ankles and feet.

Re: what exactly causes swelling?

high blood pressure is just one sign of pre-e. i had pre-e and my BP didnt spike until it was already an emergency situation. my BP was the only pre-e symptom that I didn't really have. significant protein in the urine along with swelling and significant weight gain can dx pre-e without the high BP.

as long as your urine is fine its prob just regular pregnancy swelling.

Re: what exactly causes swelling?

Its probably cause you are on your feet alot.

Try to elevate whenever you are sitting/resting.
hth

Re: what exactly causes swelling?