Pregnancy Symptoms 101 - Swollen Ankles, Swollen Feet and Edema

When you are pregnant, edema occurs when the increased pressure or damage to the tiny blood vessels (or capillaries) in your body, makes your capillaries leak fluid. When your body senses that capillaries are leaking, your kidneys begin to retain more sodium and water than normal to compensate for the lost fluid. The extra fluid causes the capillaries to leak more, overflows in the surrounding tissue and causes a swelling in feet, ankles, hands and sometimes even in the face.

In addition the growing uterus adds pressure to your pelvic veins and vena cava ( the large vein on the right side of your body that carries blood to your lower limbs). The extra pressure slows the return of blood from your legs and the extra fluid accumulates in the feet and ankles.

In most instances this condition is a normal pregnancy symptom, especially when it is very hot and you are approaching your third trimester, yet this swelling can also be a symptom of preeclampsia (high blood pressure) or lymphatic problems.

To learn more about preeclampsia click here.

Dangerous pregnancy symptoms - When is a edema a sign of a more serious condition?

You should consult your doctor immediately if you notice

• a sudden swelling and puffiness of the tissue under your skin,

• you feel puffy, itching swollen ankles or hands

• your skin appears to be unusually stretched or shiny.

A tell tale sign of edema is that the skin retains a dimple after being pressed.

Dangerous pregnancy symptoms- What are the risks of edema?

If left untreated edema can become increasingly painful and result in stiffness, cause difficulty walking, affect your blood circulation and decrease the elasticity of arteries, veins, joints and muscles.

While a certain amount of puffiness is normal in the ankles and feet during pregnancy, an unusual or excessive swelling in your hands, feet and ankles can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition when your blood pressure peaks and have possibly very serious repercussions on your pregnancy.

You should also call your doctor immediately if you notice that one leg is significantly more swollen than the other, especially if you have pain in your thigh or calf, as this may be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis ( a blood clot in the leg).

Dangerous pregnancy symptoms- How do you relieve swollen feet and swollen ankles?

The most commonly recommended ways of relieving edema are:

• lying down on your left side, ( to relieve the pressure on the vena cava which is on your right),

• taking frequent breaks from sitting or standing for too long - a short walk helps to increase circulation

• wearing comfortable foot wear and maternity support stockings that help circulation

Other effective ways of decreasing the swelling include walking, cycling on a stationary bike and swimming or taking water aerobics classes. Immersing your feet in water, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding junk foods also help ease the swelling.

Works cited

Edema - mayoclinic.com

Swollen extremities (edema) during pregnancy- babycenter.com