The swelling tends to get worse as a woman's due date nears, particularly near the end of the day and during hotter weather. Although sudden swelling in the face or hands may be a sign of a condition known as preeclampsia, mild swelling of the ankles and feet is usually no cause for concern. Call your health care provider if you notice swelling of your face, around your eyes, or more than mild swelling of the hands.
Also let your doctor know right away if you have sudden swelling anywhere or if one leg is more swollen than the other. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Prop up your feet when sitting and avoid crossing your legs. You're most likely to develop edema later on in pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Edema also tends to be worse at the end of the day and in hotter weather.
It may be especially severe for women with excessive amniotic fluid and those carrying multiples. It's normal to have a moderate amount of swelling in the ankles and feet during pregnancy. You may even notice mild swelling in your hands and fingers. Sometimes, however, sudden and severe edema can signal a more serious issue, including preeclampsia or a blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis DVT. Both preeclampsia and DVT can be dangerous for you and your baby, but they are manageable.
The sooner you get checked out, the better. Keep in mind that DVT almost always affects only one leg. Be sure to call your provider right away if you have signs of DVT , which include:. In some cases, DVT can progress to a pulmonary embolism PE , which is when a blood clot moves to a lung. PE can be life-threatening, so call or head to the hospital if you experience any of the following symptoms:. While swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy doesn't feel great, take heart: It will pass soon after you give birth.
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When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Mayo Clinic. What causes ankle swelling during pregnancy — and what can I do about it?
National Health Service. Swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy. Irion JM, et al. Ochalek K, et al. Lymphatic Research and Biology Vol. Tanveer F, et al. Benninger B, et al. There is also abnormal swelling that can happen in pregnancy, which could be a sign of a serious underlying condition.
When swelling is out of the normal range or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's critical to call your OB or midwife right away. Here are abnormal swelling symptoms to be aware of:. Too often we get caught in second guessing ourselves or feel like our worries are excessive, but it's better to be wrong than be in danger. Lamaze Home Contact Us Login. Return to Giving Birth with Confidence. Finding Relief for Normal Swelling in Pregnancy The good news is that while annoying and somewhat "unsightly," swelling in pregnancy is not overly painful and there are several things you can do to find relief.
Rest, lying down Elevate your feet Avoid long periods of standing or sitting down -- take frequent breaks and include stretching Don't cross legs when sitting Drink plenty of water, which will help flush fluids Wear compression socks or tights Limit time spent in the heat Reduce salt sodium intake -- check labels; many processed foods contain high amounts of sodium Wear comfortable shoes that aren't too tight across the foot or around the ankle Avoid wearing anything that's tight around the ankles or wrists Reduce caffeine intake Add more potassium to your diet, like bananas, squash, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados, coconut water Exercise regularly Abnormal and Dangerous Swelling in Pregnancy The above examples of swelling are considered normal in pregnancy.
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