Swelling in left ankle during pregnancy

Swelling during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

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Most women get swollen ankles and feet while pregnant. It’s natural to have concerns about swelling since it can be uncomfortable, make your shoes tighter and possibly make you feel embarrassed. Knowing what to look for and how best to manage it can help you stay as comfortable as possible.

Why do women experience swelling during pregnancy?

There are 3 main reasons women experience swelling while pregnant.

• Throughout pregnancy, you produce more blood than usual to help your baby grow.
• As the baby grows, your uterus presses on and slightly blocks the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart.
• Your hormones make the walls of your veins softer, which makes it harder for them to work properly.

For these reasons, your blood tends to pool in your legs. There, a small amount of blood leaks through tiny blood vessels into the tissues and produces the swelling you can see and feel.

Where and when will I get swelling?

The swelling should be only in your feet and ankles. Your fingers might get a little larger — enough to make any rings feel tight — but they shouldn't be obviously swollen.

Your feet and ankles are likely to swell later in the day. This is mainly due to gravity — any extra fluid in your body will sink to your feet and ankles, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet.

Swelling is also more likely to happen later in your pregnancy.

Gradual swelling isn't harmful to you or your baby, but it can feel uncomfortable.

How can I reduce swelling?

Some simple things can help you feel more comfortable and can also aid in preventing swelling.

Try to:

• avoid standing for long periods without moving
• wear comfortable shoes (avoid tight straps or anything that might pinch if your feet swell)
• put your feet up as much as you can
• limit salty foods and excessive salt in your diet
• sleep on your left side, which will help blood return to the heart
• exercise regularly by walking or swimming — this helps keep your circulation going

If you need to stand for long periods, try to move around and change position regularly.

Compression stockings can help the blood flow back to the heart and limit how much swelling you get. Massage and reflexology might also help reduce swelling and associated symptoms.

Even if your swelling is bothering you, remember to still drink plenty of water. Keeping your fluids up is important to avoid dehydration and stay healthy.

Normal or abnormal swelling?

Most pregnant women have swollen feet and ankles at some point, and this is perfectly normal. However, there are times when swelling could indicate something more serious.

Contact your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately if:

• swelling is there at the start of the day or doesn't go down when you rest
• your face or hands are swollen
• the swelling is more than you have had before

These are warning signs for pre-eclampsia, which is high blood pressure caused by pregnancy. This is a very serious condition both for you and your baby, so call your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. Don't wait for your next regular appointment.

If one leg is more swollen than the other, this could suggest a more serious problem with one of your veins, such as deep vein thrombosis. Again, contact your doctor or midwife as soon as possible.

Most swelling is a normal part of pregnancy and will usually go away after you've given birth. However, if you're concerned about anything, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, talk to your doctor or midwife.

You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to talk to a maternal child health nurse.

Sources:

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Last reviewed: February 2020

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Related pages

• Common discomforts during pregnancy
• Varicose veins
• Leg cramps during pregnancy

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Swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy

It's normal to get some swelling in pregnancy, particularly in your legs, ankles, feet and fingers.

It's often worse at the end of the day and further into your pregnancy.

Swelling that comes on gradually is not usually harmful to you or your baby, but it can be uncomfortable.

A sudden increase in swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a condition that needs to be monitored as soon as possible.

Non-urgent advice: Call your midwife, GP or labour ward immediately if you have:

• a sudden increase in swelling in your face, hands or feet
• a very bad headache
• problems with your vision, such as blurring or flashing lights in your eyes
• severe pain just below your ribs
• vomiting with any of these symptoms

These could be symptoms of pre-eclampsia, which can lead to serious complications if it's not monitored and treated.

Normal pregnancy swelling

Swelling is caused by your body holding more water than usual when you're pregnant.

Throughout the day the extra water tends to gather in the lowest parts of the body, especially if the weather is hot or you have been standing a lot.

The pressure of your growing womb can also affect the blood flow in your legs. This can cause fluid to build up in your legs, ankles and feet.

What can help to reduce swelling

Try to:

• avoid standing for long periods
• wear comfortable shoes and socks – avoid tight straps or anything that might pinch if your feet swell
• try to rest with your feet up as much as you can
• drink plenty of water – this helps your body get rid of excess water
• exercise – try to take regular walks during the day or doing foot exercises

Foot exercises

You can do foot exercises sitting or standing. They improve blood circulation, reduce swelling in the ankles, and prevent cramp in the calf muscles:

• bend and stretch your foot up and down 30 times
• rotate each foot in a circle 8 times one way and 8 times the other way

Get more tips on exercising in pregnancy.

Page last reviewed: 10 March 2021
Next review due: 10 March 2024

How to remove edema during pregnancy and why they are dangerous

Edema during pregnancy appears in most women "in position". Most often, they notice swelling in the third trimester, after 30 weeks, however, with late toxicosis, symptoms of fluid retention appear as early as the 18th week.

General information

During the period of bearing a child in a woman's body, the volume of fluid increases significantly, at least twice. As a result, the internal organs experience increased stress, which leads to swelling. nine0003

Most often in pregnant women, the legs swell in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe feet and ankles, because under the influence of gravity, the water descends. But over time, swelling can spread to the hands, face, and sometimes the whole body.

Species

Given the prevalence, swelling during pregnancy is of 2 types:

1. Localized (local)

When only one part of the body swells - legs, arms or face. nine0003

2. Generalized (generalized)

In which edema spreads to the whole body.

Generalized edema is called dropsy of pregnancy and is a consequence of the release of plasma into the intercellular space. Puffiness is generally characteristic of late toxicosis, or gestosis, but it manifests itself with varying degrees of severity.

In some cases, gestosis is quite difficult and is accompanied by such conditions as: nine0003

• nephropathy

It develops against the background of dropsy in about a quarter of women. With nephropathy, blood pressure rises, dizziness, lower back pain, and digestive problems;

• pre-eclampsia

The next stage after nephropathy with the preservation of edema and the appearance of severe headache, weakness, nausea, turning into vomiting. Typical signs of preeclampsia are drowsiness, blurred vision, lethargy and trembling in the hands; nine0003

• eclampsia

Replaces preeclampsia and lasts no more than 3-4 days. The clinical picture includes severe edema and other symptoms of preeclampsia, against which a convulsive attack appears, turning into a coma. The coma can either get worse or end with the restoration of consciousness.

General edema in pregnant women causes a change in the composition of the blood, which, in turn, leads to fetal hypoxia. Edema can be both obvious and hidden: the first is visible to the naked eye, and the second is determined by too sharp weight gain. nine0003

Attention! If during pregnancy weight gain was more than 18 kg, then doctors ascertain internal edema. The volume of fluid consumed significantly exceeds the amount of urine excreted.

Causes of edema in pregnancy

Edema during gestation can be physiological and pathological. Fluid retention in both cases is due to hormonal fluctuations. Already from the first weeks of pregnancy, the level of progesterone begins to rise, which is necessary to reduce the contractile activity of the uterus and prevent miscarriage. nine0003

In the first trimester, the concentration of progesterone already increases 10 times! And the same hormone prevents the excretion of sodium and water from the body, as the need for fluid also increases.

Why pregnant women need more fluids:

1. The volume of circulating blood should be sufficient for the blood supply to the fetus.
2. The formation of the placenta and amniotic fluid is impossible with the same amount of fluid. nine0034

The growing uterus puts pressure on the vessels, thereby provoking stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs and lower extremities. Therefore, even a healthy woman may experience swelling of the legs.

The amount of fluid during pregnancy increases by 6-8 liters. From 4 to 6 of them fall on the placenta, the remaining 2-4 liters are distributed throughout the body.

The mechanism of development of physiological and pathological edema is associated with three factors, including: nine0003

• hormonal changes;
• sodium retention;
• poor outflow of blood from the pelvic organs and legs.

Symptoms

Edema is not always visible visually and is sometimes determined only by weighing. For some women, even 5 liters of excess fluid can be completely invisible, while for others, temporary water retention causes visible swelling in different parts of the body.

• traces on the skin from socks and seams of clothing that do not “straighten out” for a long time;
• heaviness in the legs, especially in the evening;
• if you press on the shin or foot, a notch remains;
• habitual shoes become tight;
• unable to clench the hand into a fist;
• it is difficult to put on or take off the ring from the finger;
• tingling and slight numbness in the fingers due to compression of the nerves by swollen tissues; nine0034
• puffiness of the face;
• increase in chin, lips, nose in volume.

Book an online consultation if you experience swelling during pregnancy. Our doctors remotely, by phone or video call, will help interpret the symptoms and talk about methods of dealing with edema. Experts on call around the clock, contact for advice at any time.

Which doctor to contact

First you need to go to the gynecologist who leads the pregnancy. He will prescribe an examination and tell you which doctor to book a consultation with. With high pressure and the presence of protein in the urine, preeclampsia can be assumed, which often requires hospitalization. Gynecologists deal with this problem.

If there is a predisposition to varicose veins, heaviness or pain is felt in the legs, then you need to visit a phlebologist.

Alarm symptoms: nine0003

• swelling appears in the morning;
• excess weight gain was recorded in the early stages, already in the 1st trimester;
• constant thirst and decrease in urination with the use of the usual volume of liquid;
• shortness of breath, a feeling of fullness and heaviness in the chest;
• persistent bags under the eyes;
• swelling rises above the knees.

Diagnostics

Sometimes it is not easy to distinguish physiological from pathological edema, so a woman is prescribed an examination. It may include different diagnostic methods:

According to indications, a woman may be prescribed an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, thyroid gland, kidneys, vessels of the lower extremities. In cardiac pathologies, a cardiogram is made, daily Holter monitoring, and phonocardiography are carried out.

How to get rid of edema

You can fight on your own only with physiological edema, and a woman can remove them completely or at least reduce them. But pathological edema requires mandatory medical care, as they are dangerous for the development of complications. nine0003

Diet

The restrictions apply mainly to salt and "harmful" products, in which there is a lot of it - smoked meats, marinades, semi-finished products and canned food. The recommended dose of table salt per day is 1.5 g. If you reduce the amount of sodium entering the body, excess fluid will be more quickly excreted by the kidneys.

It is recommended to lean on products that have a mild diuretic effect. These include most fruits and vegetables - carrots, beets, cucumbers. nine0003

Drinking mode

It is very important to drink at least a liter of water per day, and preferably one and a half, in the absence of contraindications. It will not be possible to avoid edema with a decrease in this volume, because water is needed to replenish the amount of amniotic fluid, remove metabolic products and prepare the body for the upcoming birth.

Case study:

A pregnant woman went to the doctor with complaints of periodic swelling and hot flashes. She has a history of nephrolithiasis, the results of the latest tests are normal. Canephron was prescribed, a low-salt diet, half-bed rest was recommended. When edema appears, lie with your legs elevated, placing a pillow under them, or on your left side. nine0003

Physical activity

Dosed physical activity allows you to remove swelling by at least half. Simple exercise and walking help improve blood circulation, as contracting muscles push blood out of the veins, preventing them from overflowing and thereby making the heart work easier.

To remove swelling from the legs, it is enough to perform exercises every 2 hours for 5-10 minutes. Pregnant women especially benefit from swimming, yoga, and exercise balls. nine0003

Sign up for an online consultation to learn more about how to get rid of swelling during pregnancy. Our doctors will remotely tell you about the most effective methods in relation to your case and tell you what to do. Specialists work for you 24 hours a day.

Treatment

To relieve swelling and prevent their occurrence in the future, various drugs are used.

With gestosis, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, sedatives, as well as drugs to reduce pressure are prescribed. Women with diagnosed kidney pathology are prescribed diuretics, xanthines, potassium preparations, and antithrombotic agents. nine0003

With varicose veins, phlebotonics, anticoagulants, and compression therapy are effective. High blood pressure is reduced with the help of vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, alpha-2-agonists.

FAQ

What are the dangers of swelling during pregnancy?

+

In the later stages, edema can be a sign of preeclampsia, a very dangerous pathology for both the mother and the child. nine0003

Can hands swell in the second trimester of pregnancy in the heat? This is fine?

+

Yes, both hands and feet can swell in the second trimester. High temperatures are one of the reasons for the formation of edema.

How does swelling appear in the third trimester?

+

In the later stages, mainly the legs swell, and especially the feet. They swell most noticeably in the afternoon and in the evening. nine0003

Expert opinion

Edema during pregnancy is an almost inevitable companion of a woman "in an interesting position." If there are no pathologies, then there is no reason for concern, you just need to slightly adjust your lifestyle. But this does not cancel planned visits to the gynecologist and regular tests. Remember that you can not drink medicines without a doctor's prescription, so as not to harm yourself and the child.

We publish only verified information nine0003

Article author

Menshikova Maria Viktorovna obstetrician-gynecologist

Experience 38 years

Consultations 1816

Art. 46

Specialist with extensive practical experience. He has a certificate of a mammologist, a certificate of professional certification. Participates in foreign business trips and individual training programs (Los Angeles).

• 1982 - 1986 NPO MONIIAG - obstetrician-gynecologist
• 1987 - 1989 VNITs OZMIR - obstetrician-gynecologist
• 1989 - 1992 departmental polyclinic st. Moscow - Kurskaya - obstetrician-gynecologist
• 1992 - 2001 NPO MONIIAG - obstetrician-gynecologist
• 2007 - 2008 NP KMIKM - doctor administrator
• 2009 - 2013 Pereslavl Central District Hospital, women's consultation - obstetrician-gynecologist
• 2020 to present Teledoctor24 LLC - doctor - consultant (gynecologist)

Edema during pregnancy

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• Edema during pregnancy

Article content:

1. Pregnancy and edema
2. Why does swelling appear during pregnancy?
3. When does edema occur during pregnancy?
4. What factors can affect the appearance of edema during pregnancy
5. What can I do to get rid of swelling during pregnancy?
6. Questions from patients about edema and pregnancy
nine0073

Pregnancy and Edema

Swelling during pregnancy is normal because the body produces approximately 50% more blood and body fluids to meet the needs of a developing baby.

Edema during pregnancy

Edema during pregnancy occurs on the hands, face, legs, ankles and feet.

Why does swelling occur during pregnancy?

This extra fluid retention is needed to soften the body, allowing it to expand as the baby develops. The extra fluid also helps prepare the pelvic joints and tissues for reopening for childbirth. Additional fluids make up approximately 25% of a woman's weight gain during pregnancy.