Swelling and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy

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Sometimes the swelling is just a mild annoyance, other times the swelling can be downright uncomfortable. Swollen tootsies can be very uncomfortable, not to mention you may not like looking at them.

Toes that look like sausages? That's attractive for babies, but you aren't looking at baby's tootsies. You're looking at Mommy's toes. Ankles which are indefinable from the calf? That's a popular pregnant look. Some moms even need to buy shoes in a larger size, all due to swelling. Pregnant toes, feet and ankles often swell by the end of a long day. As long as swelling is mild, you can wait until your next doctor's visit to address the issue, which really isn't an issue at all - just a pregnancy reality.

What can you do about swelling?

• Wear maternity support hose (with permission from your doctor)
• Lie on your left side
• Take rest periods during throughout the day
• Avoid standing for prolonged amounts of time
• Elevate your legs when sitting and lying down

A word on the way all that swelling looks to the outside world. Don't worry about it if the only shoes you feel comfortable in are flip flops (in March). We outsiders (and especially those insiders who love you) don't view it the way you do. We don't see pudgy toes, huge ankles, and puffy fingers. We see swelling and feel great compassion and admiration for you for all that you do in order to bring baby into the world.

When swelling is limited to the feet and ankles and is more of an irritant than a problem, the steps above should help. Also, enlist the help of your partner in soothing your swelling. Foot baths and foot rubs are a way to involve Dad in pregnancy.

If swelling of the feet and ankles is extreme, or if the hands or face begin to swell, call your doctor. This may be a sign of pregnancy induced hypertension or preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia/Toxemia
Preeclampsia and Toxemia are the same condition, though the term Toxemia is being phased out in medical communities. Preeclampsia is extremely rare, though doctors watch all mothers for signs due to the serious potential for complications. Preeclampsia is pregnancy induced hypertension (high blood pressure) accompanied by protein in the urine (which is what your urine is tested for at each prenatal visit). Preeclampsia most often occurs in first pregnancies and of those first timers, teens and mothers expecting multiples are at the highest risk. Other women at an increased risk are those with preexisting hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, or family history of preeclampsia.

Watch For These Signs:

• Extreme swelling of the feet and ankles

• Sudden swelling of the hands and face

• Protein in the urine (usually detected by urine test, though at home watch for dark yellow urine which may be a sign)

• Blood pressure of 140/90 or greater

• Changes in vision

• Ringing in the ears

• Sudden and unexplained weight gain

• Rapid heartbeat

• Confusion

• Low urine output

Women with preeclampsia must follow all of doctor's recommendations in order to get the condition under control. It is dangerous for both mother and baby and must be taken seriously. The cure for preeclampsia is birth, so until baby is delivered, medical care for mom and baby is about managing the condition.

Treatment for preeclampsia:

The treatment usually includes:

• Medication
• Hospitalization
• Labor may be induced

Preeclampsia, while rare, is very serious. Failure to control preeclampsia can result in eclampsia, which is hypertension and protein in the urine, accompanied by maternal seizures or coma.

Awareness is the first step in treatment when it comes to complications, large or small.

Women must know the risks they are facing in order to safeguard themselves and their babies. Reading about or imagining complications like comas or seizures can be very frightening - no matter how unlikely those complications are to ever be a part of your reality. Mothers-to-be must be educated about the risks they face. The intention is not to make people nervous, it's to help them have happy healthy pregnancies, deliveries, babies and selves. Some situations, like dehydration, are within your control. Others, like preeclampsia are not. But no matter the problem, your awareness is critical because knowledge is power.