When should i be concerned about swollen feet during pregnancy

Swelling in your ankles, legs, feet and fingers is common during pregnancy.

Causes of swelling

As your womb grows, it can put pressure on the circulation to the lower part of your body. This means that blood doesn't flow as well as usual, which can cause fluid to build up in your lower limbs.

During pregnancy your body also holds more fluid than usual. This extra fluid can collect in your legs and ankles, which can cause swelling.

It can also sometimes collect in your hands and fingers. This can cause them to swell. It may mean that you can no longer comfortably wear jewellery like rings.

When to get medical help

Swelling that happens gradually can be uncomfortable, but it's not harmful to you or your baby.

Swelling that happens suddenly or with other symptoms could be a sign of pre-eclampsia. This can cause problems for pregnant women and babies if it's not diagnosed and treated.

Always see your GP if you suddenly become swollen or have other symptoms.

High blood pressure in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

Urgent advice: Contact your GP immediately if you have:

sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet
blurred vision or flashing lights before your eyes
a severe headache
severe pain just below your ribs
vomiting after 24 weeks of pregnancy

Swelling in pregnancy usually affects both of your legs, ankles or feet.

Urgent advice: Always see your GP if you have:

one leg that is swollen
one calf that is red, hot or tender

These could be signs of a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT (blood clot).

How to reduce swelling

If you have gradual swelling and no other symptoms, there are things you can do that might help.

These include drinking plenty of water and being as active as possible. Exercise during pregnancy helps your circulation.

Swelling in your hands and fingers

There are various things you can do to reduce gradual swelling in your hands and fingers.

Use cold compresses on your hands and fingers if they are swollen. For example, wet a flannel or face cloth with cold water and hold it around the swollen part.

Try not to wear anything that is too tight on your arms or wrists. For example, tight watches or bracelets.

If you notice that your rings are becoming tight, it's probably a good idea to take them off.

Tell your GP, midwife or obstetrician if you have any pain or tingling in your wrists or fingers. This could be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Swelling in your legs, ankles and feet

To treat gradual swelling in your legs, ankles and feet, you should:

avoid standing for long periods of time
put your feet up when you can
not cross your legs
wear comfortable shoes
drink plenty of water
stay as active as possible

Foot exercises

Foot exercises can help reduce ankle and foot swelling, and reduce leg cramps.

Bend and stretch your foot up and down 30 times.
Rotate your foot 8 times in one direction and 8 times in the other direction.

This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland’s Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 8.

Page last reviewed: 17 May 2019
Next review due: 17 May 2022

Many women experience swollen feet during pregnancy. Swelling is common at this time because the body retains extra fluid to protect and support the growing fetus.

Swelling in the feet usually happens later in pregnancy, when the weight of the uterus and fetus puts extra pressure on the legs and feet. This pressure can reduce circulation and increase fluid buildup, which causes swelling.

Here, we look at the steps that women can take at home to reduce swelling. We also discuss the signs that may indicate more serious conditions and explain when to see a doctor.

Swelling in certain parts of the body is a normal part of pregnancy. It often occurs because the body generates extra fluid to help support the growth of the fetus. Also, circulation slows down, which can add to the buildup of fluid.

The feet and ankles can swell because the uterus expands with the growing fetus, putting more pressure on the veins in the lower body.

Swelling in the feet is most common in the later stages of pregnancy, or the third trimester. The reason for this is that the fetus is larger and puts more pressure on the legs and feet.

In women who experience swollen feet during pregnancy, the swelling typically:

appears gradually
is worse in hot weather
appears worse by the end of the day
lessens when they lie down or raise the feet
is equal in both feet

Women may be able to reduce swelling in the feet during pregnancy by taking the following steps at home:

avoiding standing for long periods, as this can increase pressure in the legs and feet and cause more swelling
elevating the feet slightly to increase blood flow toward the heart
raising the legs on pillows while sleeping
wearing supportive tights or compression stockings to help improve circulation in the legs
keeping active throughout the day, with short walks or gentle exercise
limiting salt intake
staying hydrated and drinking 8–10 glasses of fluid each day to help prevent the body from holding onto excess water
avoiding caffeine, as it is a diuretic, which means that it promotes the increased production of urine
wearing loose, comfortable clothing
wearing loose socks and comfortable shoes
avoiding sitting for long periods
staying cool and spending limited time outdoors in hot weather
sleeping on the left side of the body, which can help increase blood flow to the heart
trying massage or reflexology to improve circulation

Exercises

Doing foot exercises when resting can help improve circulation.

Pregnant women can try raising one foot off the floor and flexing it up and down 30 times before repeating the movement with the opposite foot.

Next, they can raise one foot off the floor and rotate it clockwise eight times and then anticlockwise eight times. Again, they should then repeat this with the opposite foot.

Although they may be uncomfortable, swollen feet are a common effect of pregnancy. Medical treatment is unlikely to be necessary, and many women can relieve the swelling with home remedies.

However, a woman will require medical treatment if an underlying condition is causing the swollen feet.

Swelling can sometimes signal a health issue in pregnancy. Women should contact their midwife, doctor, or healthcare team immediately if they notice any sudden or rapid increase in swelling.

Preeclampsia

A sudden increase in swelling in the feet can be a sign of preeclampsia. Women may also notice a puffy or swollen face, swelling around the eyes, or sudden swelling in the hands.

If the swelling in the feet is extreme, pressing down into the skin may leave an indentation for a few seconds. There might also be some decolorization in the legs.

Preeclampsia is a health condition that can happen during pregnancy or postpartum. Preeclampsia causes very high blood pressure and organ problems in pregnant women.

It most commonly occurs after 20 weeks of gestation or up to 6 weeks after giving birth. Preeclampsia can progress quickly, and without treatment, it can be very dangerous for the woman and the fetus.

A doctor may prescribe antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure. If the pregnancy has reached 37 weeks or more, healthcare professionals may recommend delivering the baby early.

Deep vein thrombosis

Uneven swelling in the feet or legs may indicate a blood clot, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Pregnant women and women who have given birth within the last 3 months have a higher risk of DVT than women who are not pregnant. The reason is that blood clots more easily during pregnancy to prevent excess blood loss during labor and birth.

The growing fetus also puts pressure on the legs, which can reduce circulation. Being less mobile than usual during both pregnancy and the recovery period after delivery can also reduce blood flow in the legs.

A doctor may prescribe a drug called low-molecular-weight heparin to prevent or treat blood clots and DVT. They will inject the drug under the skin.

If women have any concerns about swollen feet during pregnancy or are not able to relieve uncomfortable symptoms, they can talk to their healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.

They should contact their doctor or midwife immediately if they notice any of the following symptoms:

a sudden increase in swelling in the feet
sudden swelling in the hands or face or around the eyes
a severe headache or a constant dull headache
blurred vision or seeing “stars” or flashing lights
severe pain below the ribs or in the abdomen, especially on the right side
nausea, vomiting, or feeling unwell
swelling is present at the beginning of the day and does not improve when lying down or raising the feet

The above symptoms can all be signs of preeclampsia, and pregnant women will require medical attention straight away to prevent the condition from progressing.

Women should also contact their doctor straight away if they notice that:

one foot or leg is more swollen than the other
there is pain or heat in the calf or elsewhere in the leg
the skin on the leg is red or discolored

Uneven swelling or pain in the leg could indicate DVT. Without treatment, DVT can lead to the blood clot traveling to the lungs and causing a pulmonary embolism. It is important to seek immediate medical attention for:

difficulty breathing
chest pain, which worsens when coughing or breathing deeply
coughing up blood
increased or irregular heartbeat

Swelling in the feet is usually a normal feature of the later stages of pregnancy and not a cause for concern. The body stores excess water during pregnancy. Also, pressure from the fetus can reduce circulation in the legs, which causes swelling in the feet.

Home remedies for swollen feet during pregnancy include elevating the feet when sitting down and wearing loose, comfortable shoes. Drinking plenty of water, engaging in regular gentle exercise, and avoiding standing for long periods may all help, as well.

If pregnant women notice a sudden increase in swelling in the feet, hands, or face, or around the eyes, they should contact a doctor straight away.

Sudden swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition that will require medical treatment. Pregnant women should also contact their doctor straight away if they have uneven swelling, pain, redness, or warmth in one leg, as these symptoms could indicate DVT.

When should I go to the doctor for swollen feet during pregnancy?

Contact your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately if: swelling is there at the start of the day or doesn't go down when you rest. your face or hands are swollen. the swelling is more than you have had before.

When should swelling be a concern in pregnancy?

If swelling affects only one leg and is accompanied by pain, redness, or warmth, a blood clot could be a concern, and you should call your doctor. If you experience sudden or gradually worsening swelling in your face, around your eyes, or in your hands accompanied by high blood pressure, call your doctor immediately.

What is considered abnormal swelling during pregnancy?

Abnormal and Dangerous Swelling in Pregnancy Here are abnormal swelling symptoms to be aware of: Swelling in your face and/or puffiness around your eyes. Extreme swelling or sudden swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles.

Can you have swollen feet and not have preeclampsia?

While gradual swelling in your lower and upper extremities is normal, sudden or severe swelling in your face, hands, or feet might be a symptom of preeclampsia.