Swollen Ankles and Feet

My feet and ankles were perpetually swollen by the time I hit 30 weeks. Actually, at that point, I had no ankles. They would swell up even MORE if I stood for any period of time (which was every day, since I was still working.) I remember coming home from work one time, and my feet had swollen OVER my shoes, so that even my shoelaces were tucked under my ankles!!! I actually have stretch marks on my ankles!!! My hands also swelled up massively by the time I hit 35 (I had to wear my ring on a chain around my neck, I couldn't even get it past my first knuckle!)

Very common. They make pantyhose that you can buy, that help promote circulation and they DO help some. (you should be able to buy them at pretty much any maternity store)

Drink lots of water, and avoid sodium. (normal pregnancy advise anyway, but especially helpful to avoid swelling.) Use the swelling to get a sympathy footrub from Daddy-to-be! ;)

Totally normal. Happened in my last month of pregnancy, from knee down everything swollen. My poor keds were screaming!..lol However, my chiropractor had me to start taking liquid organic fish oil with lemon and it made the swelling go down tremendously. I didn't mind the swelling so much due to my husband giving me foot baths and massaging my feet.

No, sorry though- I know it's very uncomfortable. I only had bad swelling with my 1st pregnancy. It was even worse after my baby was born. I had to wear my slippers home from the hospital because my shoes wouldn't fit.
It wasn't as bad when I could keep my feet up- but that's not so easy when you have a baby to take care of.

When my DH's grandmother heard about my swollen feet, she said, "Tell her to eat bananas". I couldn't imagine bananas would help, but I figured, what the heck, and had some. The swelling actually got better! Go figure :) I don't know if it was a coincidence- could be, but I figured I might as well pass the info on to you- just in case ;)
Good luck!

With my first pregnancy I was huge everywhere! My wedding ring stopped fitting almost 2 months before my due date. I had to wear sandles that last few weeks of my pregnancy cause I couldn't fit into regular shoes. I'm sure everything is fine, and it wont take long to get back to normal after. Good Luck!

Nope, that's pretty common. :) Congratulations!

I had that at the end of my pregnancy too. On a good day my husband would massage them with peppermint lotion (it felt very cool and good) while elevated. It helped them unswell faster. I lived in croc mocs those last weeks and at the hospital.

Swollen feet and ankles are a normal part of the end of pregnancy. Check with your doctor though especially if you are having other weird symptoms like dizziness, spotty vision, extreme fatigue etc...

Talk to the doc and check labels for salt content and drink water/no pop or Gatorade. Elevate your feet whenever possible. I sleep with a pillow at the foot of the bed so I can put my feet on it while I sleep.

OMG... that takes me SO BACK. I lived in the HOT desert and delivered in June on a 110 degree day. My ankles were swolled so bad during that hot weather, I would sit at the swimming pool with them dangling EVERY night that I didnt have my whole pregnant self in the pool.

Now I'm old and they swell when I drink a beer, really pisses me off too!

no, try to elevate your legs as much as possbile. Also, avoid salt it can cause you to retain water.

Normal. Now if they get to be large balloon's then we have a problem. My friend had her feet get GINORMOUS! and she went it for her check up and they emitted her to the hospital to make sure things were all right (I think she had elevated blood pressure and something else wrong too, but it all started with the feet over swelling). Three days later she was out. But they wanted her to stay there to keep a close eye on her.

Normal but DO keep your feel elevated as much as possible.

You should be going to the OB every week now. Its pretty normal, but they should be watching it. Im 35 weeks and pretty swollen by the end of the day.

Totally normal! With my first my ankles swelled at 4 months and stayed! As long as your BP is fine, it's common-especially late in pregnancy.

Usually no big deal -- your body is carrying extra water and extra blood volume for the baby. However, severe swelling can be a sign of high blood pressure/pre-eclampsia. I assume you're seeing your doctor every week at this point, so they should be checking to make sure that it's the "OK" kind of swelling. If you're not seeing a health care provider regularly at this point, make sure to check in with them, just in case.

Probably not a concern, unless you have other symptoms of pre-eclampsia (which the doctor will be screening you for weekly at this point).

The best way I found to relieve swelling was to swim, or at least be in a pool. Even a bathtub can help. It takes some of the weight off and allows circulation to improve. Give it a try (immersing most of your body, not just a foot soak)

you could always call the doctor, but that's when I got that really bad

Just wanted to add that I also had the same thing during the last month of my pregnancy, but didn't have high blood pressure. I was really uncomfortable, though, and decided to completely cut out salt/sodium. I took a potassium supplement and ate foods high in potassium liked baked potatoes and bananas. I used garlic and other spices for seasoning instead of salt. I did not eat out because restaurants tend to use a lot salt. The swelling did go down considerably! Hang in there...

No, dont worry its pretty much an ordinary phase. Prop your feet up & try to stay off them for awhile...its just water retention. If it continues talk to your doctor or midwife for remedies or medications. Congrats & Good luck!!