Feet/Ankle Swelling

[vtdiamond]

As I mentioned in the Mom to be post, I had my first run in with swollen feet this weekend.

I was in Atlanta for a conference so barely any time to put my feet up and was eating conference food the whole time which may have been the culprit.  When I got home last night I put my feet up and DH rubbed them a bit and within a few hours they were back to normal.

At what point did your feet start swelling, I was thinking it wouldn't start until the 3rd tri but was wrong? 
Any tips aside from the standard - elevate and drink more water?

[FastHands]

Mine started late first tri, and it was around 25 weeks when I decided I really needed to set aside temperature comfort and all sense of fashion and move to compression socks. I tried the TED ones you get in the hospital first, which are 2-18 mmHG (I think), but my ankles (actually, just my right ankle) laughed in their general direction. My BFF is a PT and ordered some stronger ones (20-30mm Hg) from amazon, and the difference is incredible. Not only does my ankle no longer frighten small children, but I actually think they make me FEEL better overall. I had a sluggish heaviness in my legs at the end of the day before that I just attributed to general pregnancy BS, but I'm finding I don't have that anymore! It's great.

[SJ]

I have had really bad swelling for quite some time. Looking back at my calendar, I think it was around 30 weeks is when they really got bad, and I couldn't wear any of my shoes by 32-34 weeks. The only shoes I can wear are two pairs of men's flip-flops and one pair of size 9 ballet flats (I normally wear a 7.5)

I just put them up as much as possible, try to avoid salt, etc. I haven't tried compression socks, but one night that I slept in socks, my feet were smaller in the morning but my legs right above the socks were HUGE. So it just displaced the swelling.

I gained 20 pounds in the 3rd trimester alone, and think it's mostly water/swelling weight. Until I started swelling, my weight gain was very much on track and I haven't changed eating habits at all (if anything, for the better!)

I'm sorry I don't have any good advice for you.

[FastHands]

Jun 30, 2014 12:43:49 GMT -5 SJ said:

I haven't tried compression socks, but one night that I slept in socks, my feet were smaller in the morning but my legs right above the socks were HUGE. So it just displaced the swelling.

Yeah, this is actually why I got compression socks to begin with. My dr told me I really shouldn't be wearing ballet flats/flip flops, because they allow your foot to spread rather than encourage the fluid to keep circulating. So I got a pair of size 11 (...sigh) lace-up shoes that provide the physical constriction to encourage fluid circulation.. BUT then I just had normal feet and ginormous ankles.

So the thing about compression socks is that they are gradual -- they are tightest at the foot/ankle, and then get looser as they go up to the knee/thigh/waist (depending on what kind you get). That way they are truly almost massaging your leg and getting flow back up toward your heart. Your level of swelling will determine the length you need -- so for now, the 20-30mm Hg firmness knee socks are perfect for me. I don't have giant bulbous knees or anything. If my swelling gets *worse* and I DO find that happening, I'd want to move to the thigh-highs or full stockings. But I'm rrrreally hoping to avoid that, because these suckers are WARM!

[vtdiamond]

Guess I should look into some compression socks. Thanks ladies!

My next ob apt is in another week so will ask then as well.

[SJ]

Jun 30, 2014 13:18:02 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Jun 30, 2014 12:43:49 GMT -5 SJ said:

I haven't tried compression socks, but one night that I slept in socks, my feet were smaller in the morning but my legs right above the socks were HUGE. So it just displaced the swelling.

Yeah, this is actually why I got compression socks to begin with. My dr told me I really shouldn't be wearing ballet flats/flip flops, because they allow your foot to spread rather than encourage the fluid to keep circulating. So I got a pair of size 11 (...sigh) lace-up shoes that provide the physical constriction to encourage fluid circulation.. BUT then I just had normal feet and ginormous ankles.

So the thing about compression socks is that they are gradual -- they are tightest at the foot/ankle, and then get looser as they go up to the knee/thigh/waist (depending on what kind you get). That way they are truly almost massaging your leg and getting flow back up toward your heart. Your level of swelling will determine the length you need -- so for now, the 20-30mm Hg firmness knee socks are perfect for me. I don't have giant bulbous knees or anything. If my swelling gets *worse* and I DO find that happening, I'd want to move to the thigh-highs or full stockings. But I'm rrrreally hoping to avoid that, because these suckers are WARM!

This makes so much sense- thank you!! I wish I had paid attention to the compression sock discussions earlier. At this point (39w2d) I will just wait it out, but so good to know for next time.

[felicity]

I already started having some retention/swelling starting a few days ago and had gained 4 pounds in 2 days. I'm not even 18 weeks yet. Ugh. I think it was due to some really salty meals and not drinking enough water.

Yesterday I avoided salt and drank a TON of water. I basically kept a huge glass next to me all day long and kept refilling it constantly. I spent all day drinking and peeing and drinking and peeing. I woke up 3 pounds lighter today! I know at some point the swelling is probably just inevitable, but the drinking water/reducing salt did work for me for now.

[gerberdaisy]

I think I first had swelling around 17 weeks. It was hot and I was on my feet all day. When I got back to the hotel (was travelling for work) my feet, ankles and calves were all swollen. It was temporary though. Now, at 32 weeks, I still haven't had a lot of swelling, primarily just when I over do it, or its really humid. So, drink lots of water and it doesn't mean this you'll always be swollen!

[robinsbff]

mine didn't really start until 33 weeks when the real heat and humidity kicked in here. i've stuck with the standard "lots of water and keep them elevated" and it's kept things manageable for now. on days when i know i'm going to be on my feet a lot i opt for sneakers and compression socks to keep the problem from getting too bad to begin with.

[Odonata]

Mine started around 19 weeks and I had the same issue with lace-up shoes - My ankles had muffin topped over them! I have been wearing compression socks but I do think I need a stronger pair because they just swell under them. Compression stockings (that come all the way up) do make my legs feel better but my feet never return to "not swollen" states. The best I can ever get them with all the "tricks" and devices is "less swollen" or "not as bad". I've just accepted that I'm going to swell no matter what but between the socks, stockings, watching my diet, water, and elevation (when I can find some damn time!) all help reduce the issue.

[ringstrue]

Late in the 2nd tri but not consistently since then. Like I'm 30 weeks now and they aren't at all. For me it has mostly to do with the weather and lounging vs. Sitting in the chair all day. I'll probably get bad in August.

Pool time helps too!

[rbp]

SJ I can't believe your due date is this week!!

[Odonata]

Jun 30, 2014 13:18:02 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Jun 30, 2014 12:43:49 GMT -5 SJ said:

I haven't tried compression socks, but one night that I slept in socks, my feet were smaller in the morning but my legs right above the socks were HUGE. So it just displaced the swelling.

Yeah, this is actually why I got compression socks to begin with. My dr told me I really shouldn't be wearing ballet flats/flip flops, because they allow your foot to spread rather than encourage the fluid to keep circulating. So I got a pair of size 11 (...sigh) lace-up shoes that provide the physical constriction to encourage fluid circulation.. BUT then I just had normal feet and ginormous ankles.

So the thing about compression socks is that they are gradual -- they are tightest at the foot/ankle, and then get looser as they go up to the knee/thigh/waist (depending on what kind you get). That way they are truly almost massaging your leg and getting flow back up toward your heart. Your level of swelling will determine the length you need -- so for now, the 20-30mm Hg firmness knee socks are perfect for me. I don't have giant bulbous knees or anything. If my swelling gets *worse* and I DO find that happening, I'd want to move to the thigh-highs or full stockings. But I'm rrrreally hoping to avoid that, because these suckers are WARM!

Question - I found myself on my feet WAY more than I thought I would be at summer school today (2.5 hours for two classes!) and compression knee highs are not cutting it. I limped into my house today.  I'm going to try and sit more but do you think going full stocking or thigh-high might save me this month?  I'll be at this job until August 1st.  You think I should get the most firm pair I can?  I feel like you know more about compression socks that I do, haha.

[FastHands]

Jun 30, 2014 19:11:45 GMT -5 Odonata said:

Jun 30, 2014 13:18:02 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Yeah, this is actually why I got compression socks to begin with. My dr told me I really shouldn't be wearing ballet flats/flip flops, because they allow your foot to spread rather than encourage the fluid to keep circulating. So I got a pair of size 11 (...sigh) lace-up shoes that provide the physical constriction to encourage fluid circulation.. BUT then I just had normal feet and ginormous ankles.

So the thing about compression socks is that they are gradual -- they are tightest at the foot/ankle, and then get looser as they go up to the knee/thigh/waist (depending on what kind you get). That way they are truly almost massaging your leg and getting flow back up toward your heart. Your level of swelling will determine the length you need -- so for now, the 20-30mm Hg firmness knee socks are perfect for me. I don't have giant bulbous knees or anything. If my swelling gets *worse* and I DO find that happening, I'd want to move to the thigh-highs or full stockings. But I'm rrrreally hoping to avoid that, because these suckers are WARM!

Question - I found myself on my feet WAY more than I thought I would be at summer school today (2.5 hours for two classes!) and compression knee highs are not cutting it. I limped into my house today.  I'm going to try and sit more but do you think going full stocking or thigh-high might save me this month?  I'll be at this job until August 1st.  You think I should get the most firm pair I can?  I feel like you know more about compression socks that I do, haha.

Well the stockings aren't going to help anything but swelling. It's still going to be tough to be on your body to ve on your feet. That said, assess your swelling after a day in the stockings you have now. If you have pockets of swelling THROUGH the stockings, go for a tighter pair. If you have pockets ABOVE the stockings, get a pair that goes higher. Does that make sense? I'll post an embarrassing pic in a sec to illustrate. Lol

[FastHands]

Attachment Deleted
Odonata
If your foot/ankle region resembles sausage links,  it's time to go tighter.

Sizing is important too. They shouldn't cut off circulation, but if you can get them on as easily as you can a normal sock, they're too big.

[Odonata]

Jun 30, 2014 20:35:01 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Jun 30, 2014 19:11:45 GMT -5 Odonata said:

Question - I found myself on my feet WAY more than I thought I would be at summer school today (2.5 hours for two classes!) and compression knee highs are not cutting it. I limped into my house today.  I'm going to try and sit more but do you think going full stocking or thigh-high might save me this month?  I'll be at this job until August 1st.  You think I should get the most firm pair I can?  I feel like you know more about compression socks that I do, haha.

Well the stockings aren't going to help anything but swelling. It's still going to be tough to be on your body to ve on your feet. That said, assess your swelling after a day in the stockings you have now. If you have pockets of swelling THROUGH the stockings, go for a tighter pair. If you have pockets ABOVE the stockings, get a pair that goes higher. Does that make sense? I'll post an embarrassing pic in a sec to illustrate. Lol

Makes sense.  Also, any brands you recommend?  I'm going crazy on Amazon right now.  These things are expensive and I'm torn between fake reviews and reviews that say the thigh-high won't stay up and blah blah. I don't want to spend $80 on something that I'll hate to wear.

[Odonata]

Jun 30, 2014 20:41:25 GMT -5 FastHands said:

If your foot/ankle region resembles sausage links,  it's time to go tighter.

Sizing is important too. They shouldn't cut off circulation, but if you can get them on as easily as you can a normal sock, they're too big.

Yup, that's what I look like!

[FastHands]

Jun 30, 2014 20:43:03 GMT -5 Odonata said:

Jun 30, 2014 20:35:01 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Well the stockings aren't going to help anything but swelling. It's still going to be tough to be on your body to ve on your feet. That said, assess your swelling after a day in the stockings you have now. If you have pockets of swelling THROUGH the stockings, go for a tighter pair. If you have pockets ABOVE the stockings, get a pair that goes higher. Does that make sense? I'll post an embarrassing pic in a sec to illustrate. Lol

Makes sense.  Also, any brands you recommend?  I'm going crazy on Amazon right now.  These things are expensive and I'm torn between fake reviews and reviews that say the thigh-high won't stay up and blah blah. I don't want to spend $80 on something that I'll hate to wear.

Yeah some of that stuff is ridiculous.  I think most of the overpriced stuff is geared to athletes and probably isn't as firm as you want anyway.

My bff is a physical therapist,  and she got me these, which have been great --
 www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A33FYK?cache=79229f9eef76da6fc989133e42e6162f&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1404179065&sr=8-2#ref=mp_s_a_1_2

[Odonata]

Jun 30, 2014 20:54:52 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Jun 30, 2014 20:43:03 GMT -5 Odonata said:

Makes sense.  Also, any brands you recommend?  I'm going crazy on Amazon right now.  These things are expensive and I'm torn between fake reviews and reviews that say the thigh-high won't stay up and blah blah. I don't want to spend $80 on something that I'll hate to wear.

Yeah some of that stuff is ridiculous.  I think most of the overpriced stuff is geared to athletes and probably isn't as firm as you want anyway.

My bff is a physical therapist,  and she got me these, which have been great --
 www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A33FYK?cache=79229f9eef76da6fc989133e42e6162f&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1404179065&sr=8-2#ref=mp_s_a_1_2

Great - I was looking at this brand!

[pinotgrig]

FastHands was my swelling BFF, I feel like. She and others have given good advice. I just wanted to say that by 10 days pp I had lost 30 lbs of fluid. 2 weeks out, I can finally see my ankles again. There's hope - I promise it will eventually go away!

[SJ]

Jul 1, 2014 15:47:44 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

FastHands was my swelling BFF, I feel like. She and others have given good advice. I just wanted to say that by 10 days pp I had lost 30 lbs of fluid. 2 weeks out, I can finally see my ankles again. There's hope - I promise it will eventually go away!

I so very hope to be in this boat soon!!

[ringstrue]

They have compression thigh highs at Rite aid too.