Anyone know how to relieve swelling?
By jbb316
@jbb316 (1779)
United States
August 21, 2007 3:33pm CST
I have only about 2 more weeks to go until my c section and I am having leg swelling and increased blood pressure. Anyone know how I can help relieve some of the swelling. I am already on bedrest so I am not on my feet much except to go to the restroom and that is pretty much it. I have also been trying to drink more water. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and my doctor threatened that if I have not gotten some of the swelling down and my blood pressure down that he will put me in the hospital until the baby is born. I cannot do that. I have a 3 yr old who will not understand and there are some things that need to be done to finish getting ready for this baby. Plus, my family needs me. And how will my son react if I am not there especially for an extended time like 2 weeks. Any good advice that will help I will appreciate. Thanks.
4 people like this
12 responses
@Muttnboofer (154)
• United States
22 Aug 07
It sounds like you probably have heard most of the best methods to help alleviate it. My midwife when I was pregnant with my first child told me to try taking a soak in a cold (but not shocking...just as cold as you can take it) bath with some epsom salts mixed into the water. The salt helps alleviate some of pressure and swelling and the salts help to draw out extra fluid from the body. It really helped the last couple of months for me.
2 people like this
@medstudents4 (826)
• India
22 Aug 07
hi jbb316,well as you have told..i'll say you have developed what is known as pre-eclampsia in medical terms or in simple words pregnancy induced hypertension..is this happening for the first time as you have said this is your second pregnancy..well thats not much important..what i'll suggest you is complete bed rest and it means complete because if its only 2 weeks left for your delivery you should avoid engaging your self in heavy or tiring activities..you should also raise the foot end of your bed above your head level both while sitting on the bed and sleeping..it will prevent the fluid accumulation in your legs and the other easy thing you can do is restrict your salt intake,avoid spicy food till delivery as they also contain salt,don't have too much of cold drinks and eat light..opt for a light walk in your bedroom only for few minutes if you find it difficult to sit or lying in the bed all day..it will also help to prevent edema or swelling...i'll suggest you to call somebody from your parents side like your mother or sister to take care for your son as you ought to take rest dear..do not exert yourself..yes it is a possibility that you have to stay in the hospital if the swelling persists or does not decrease..don't worry everything will be fine..good luck for a sweet and cute gift of God ahead and you also be healthy and happy..take care and God bless you ..
1 person likes this
@jbb316 (1779)
• United States
22 Aug 07
This is actually my 3rd pregnancy. My first I lost at 20 weeks. It was due to incompetent cerix and at that time my blood pressure was just beginning to elevate. With my second pregnancy my blood pressure started elevating around the 5 month mark and kept increasing until the end. I was put on bedrest at 5 months and had weekly doctor visits so that made for a very long and miserable pregnancy and I ended up delivering at 36 1/2 weeks. Luckily there were no problems with the baby. This pregnancy the swelling and increased blood pressure has just started about a month ago and I have been on bedrest only for a couple weeks. I am so thankful it has not been like my last pregnancy with all the complications. But I must admit it is very boring and tiresome to lay in bed or on the couch all day. But I did send my son to his grandparents house yesterday and he spent the night with them. I went to the doctor today and had lost 2 pounds of fluid so luckily he did not hospitalize me. But I am still on bedrest because my blood pressure is still elevated and I had to get blood work done and will return for another office visit in 2 days to see if there are any changes. If things go well or at least stay the same then I will be having my C section in 1 1/2 - 2 weeks. So I hope everything holds up until then. Even though I am so ready to have this baby I know it is best to wait until the time that it is safe for delivery because I do not want to come home from the hospital and have to leave my baby there.
@medstudents4 (826)
• India
22 Aug 07
don't worry dear..everything is gonna be ok..your doctor will take care of everything..you only need to take rest..its good that got relieved from that much fluid and this is promising too that your blood pressure can be controlled..if its your third pregnancy and still it is happening haven't your doctor prescribed you some medications because as far as i know they are started in first pregnancy if it goes severe and if you are taking those then its all going to be fine..there not much time left..so just relax..yes it would be bit boring to sit idly but thats the best you can do..watch some TV along with that or listen to music..don't stress out and again try not to exert yourself..take care..
@AmberNormandin (883)
• United States
24 Aug 07
good luck on that! ive had 2 babies and both times i swelled super bad. It was worse with my 2nd baby though. I couldnt get socks or shoes on. The swelling did not subside until 8 weeks after my daughter was born. My doctor told me elevate my feet--didnt work. He didnt do anything else for me. It was SOOOOO bad that i could barely walk bc my ankles couldnt bend.
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
21 Aug 07
Refrain from eating anything with salt. Read the labels. So many things have sodium in them that we don't expect.
Elevate your feet. Put four inch blocks under the foot of your bed so that your feet are always elevated.
Flex your ankles frequently. The lymphatic system has no pump, like the circulatory system has, so fluids are moved with the movement of muscles. Flex your feet to use the leg muscles without any weight bearing.
Remind yourself that your family needs you to take care of yourself or you won't be able to take care of your baby or them. So if the doctor says "hospital", GO! Your son will survive. Arrange for him to stay with someone he likes and arrange for him to visit you in the hospital lobby, if children aren't allowed in the rooms. Your first priority is your health right now.
Stress will not lower your blood pressure. So relax. Sleep as much as you can. And keep drinking water.
And it won't be long until that new baby will be snug in your arms.
1 person likes this
@MisterPlus (1915)
• Philippines
22 Aug 07
Thank you for that advise to her. I was about to tell her that too.
@bharatibajaj (133)
• India
22 Aug 07
Hi!First of all, cut down the salt in your diet.If you can manage without salt, nothing like it.Secondly, take some hot water in a tub & put some rock-salt & olive oil in it & soak your feet as long as you can.Then remove your feet & put them in chilled water.Do this 3-4 times a day.Thirdly,whenever you lie down or sleep,put your feet on an elevated level with 2 pillows underneath your legs.Fourthly, be relaxed & don't get tensed for this will directly affect your blood-pressure.Take proper rest & the neceessary DIET & last but not the least,have the trust in GOD & pray.He will surely answer your Prayers.
GOD BLESS!!
www.creatingcolourfulfuture.com
@healwell (1268)
• Ahmedabad, India
22 Aug 07
Well, as a Reiki teacher and healer I can suggest following things:
1. just deny the swelling by your mental attitude as well as deny it from your heartiest deep faith! And try to say yourself that the swelling is reducing positivelly regarding the health and care for you and new born also!
2. If you have faith on any natural healing system like Reiki and other one; then apply such energy to remove swelling as well as decreas the blood pressure!
3. If you are knowing any healing system then apply on swelling immediately with positive affirmation that swelling is disapearing quickly! Or if you are knowing any Reiki healer then let the healer work on your swelling and blood pressure positivelly to help you out.
And yes prayer always helps! Try out that too!
@mossjanicelynn (1240)
• United States
21 Aug 07
Complete bed rest and keep your feet elevated above your heart.
@eachen2002 (889)
• United States
22 Aug 07
I'm not a expert on any of that.I know that salt can sometimes have a bad effect on your body.I had a problem with sugar with my pregnancy and it sounds like your under alot of stress so try and relax as much as possible and let people take care of you for a change if you can.
@BlueAngelRS (2899)
• Canada
22 Aug 07
I didn't have that problem with swelling but I've been told that the more water you drink that it adds to it..I know we are supposed to have as much water for health reasons a day but the swelling can be water retension...I had high blood pressure in my last 2 pregnancies and the last pregnacy not fair so well..All I can suggest is have your spouse or friend maybe rub lotion on your legs if they don't mind and elevate them when sitting and try to watch the amount of water you drink I've been told that it adds to it...I had swelling when I lost my third baby from the water and fluid they were giving me I was just told to evelvate my legs and the swelling would eventually go down...
@cyberjanah (29)
• Philippines
22 Aug 07
drink plenty of water ( tap water temperature) aside from avoiding salty foods, avoid spicy foods and cold drinks. Eat lots of vegetables avoid foods which are high in fat and cholesterol, even if you are on a bed rest now, try to move you feet once in awhile to promote circulation, or if you can, walk for a few seconds around the room. I had 2 c section, had the same problem with the swelling after my c section after 3 days i was out of the hospital and after 2 weeks at home I was back to work.
