Swelling - what's normal?

[queenbey]

32 weeks pregnant here and my hands and feet look swollen today when they weren't yesterday. I know some swelling is considered "normal" but then google also says that sudden swelling is not normal. Believe it or not, I have not had any swelling until now. So which is it? Should I be worried?

[Anonymous]

If you are concerned call your doctor or midwife to discuss. I never had any swelling, and if it’s abnormal for you it could be a sign of a problem like preeclampsia. It could also be nothing. No way for DCUM to know.

[Anonymous]

Don't take this the wrong way, but how is your diet? I noticed swelling with a combo of: not keeping my legs elevated enough, too much salt and not enough water.

[Anonymous]

Agree with pp. Some women are more predisposed to swelling than others and it can be normal. Others it can be a symptom of high BP. Call your provider.

[Anonymous]

Some women never have any sort of swelling with pregnancy and others are like balloons and it's still normal/not preeclampsia.

[Anonymous]

sudden swelling is usually pre e. definitely call your doctor.

I had trouble gaining weight with my first pregnancy due to nausea/vomiting. Then all of a sudden ( about 32 weeks actually) I gained a lot of weight fast...especially in my face. And everyone said Oh you look great! so glad you are finally gaining weight! you are supposed to gain weight! you are pregnant" It was all water though and a sign of pre e.

anyway, just call your dr and get a quick check up and test. it's worth it

[Anonymous]

I started swelling around 32 weeks, but it was mild at first and then got worse, i didn't blow up all at once. Just call your doctor to be sure.

[Anonymous]

I only started seeing swelling when i was 33 weeks (36 now) and i noticed my shoes becoming tighter at end of day and same with ring (and in the morning it was gone) and then repeated. BP is still fine and urine test fine in subsequent appointments but I didn't call my OB. depends on what you mean by swelling - if you've had none, it is strange to get it (like in my case) but for me it wasn't noticeable, just felt it based on clothing and ring and why i didnt panic.

[Anonymous]

You could go to a CVS or grocery store and check your blood pressure just to be safe and put your mind at ease if you haven’t gotten a chance to speak to your doctor.

[Anonymous]

I had a ton of swelling last time. My shoe size went up about 3 sizes. You could see it in my face, it was noticeable to everyone who saw me though nobody said anything because they didn't want to hurt my feelings. My midwives also told me all was normal, and just to soak my feet in epsom salts. It turned out to be severe, atypical preeclampsia where I had kidney failure first without a noticeably high blood pressure. It could be normal, but don't take a chance, call your doctor, especially if you have had a lot of sudden weight gain recently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could go to a CVS or grocery store and check your blood pressure just to be safe and put your mind at ease if you haven’t gotten a chance to speak to your doctor.

This is a good idea. I was feeling dizzy last week and a Duane Reade pharmacist checked it for me. Then I bought my own BP machine from them using FSA $ I need to use up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a ton of swelling last time. My shoe size went up about 3 sizes. You could see it in my face, it was noticeable to everyone who saw me though nobody said anything because they didn't want to hurt my feelings. My midwives also told me all was normal, and just to soak my feet in epsom salts. It turned out to be severe, atypical preeclampsia where I had kidney failure first without a noticeably high blood pressure. It could be normal, but don't take a chance, call your doctor, especially if you have had a lot of sudden weight gain recently.

PP here. I also want to add that if you have a feeling that something is not normal, just go into L&D triage. I'm glad I went with my gut and didn't listen to the midwife over the phone who told me not to go into L&D due to swelling and weight gain. Most women with preeclampsia have noted after the fact that they felt something was off or not quite right.

[queenbey]

Update: I first went to the CVS and used the cuff. Blood pressure was somewhat elevated, especially compared to what's normal for me. I bought a cuff and measured it at home and this morning, still elevated but the swelling went down. Saw my OB today and nothing alarming but they sent me for blood work.