Sorry I’m not brave enough to post a pic, but the swelling on my feet is one of the more disgusting things I have experienced so far in this pregnancy. I’ve been sharing all my adventures so far, so I figured I can’t get away with not sharing the ugly or gross side of pregnancy too. Unfortunately it can’t all be rainbows.
Starting last Monday, I noticed that my feet and ankles looked swollen. Having inflammatory arthritis, I’m used to my ankles getting swollen after a day of standing or a lot of walking. But I’ve been doing a whole lot of sitting lately. Maybe walking from room to room. I noticed that my fingers are swelling too. Actually took off my rings because I became scared they might not actually ever come off otherwise.
When visiting my OB last week, my nurse freaked out about my blood pressure. She measured twice on my left arm and said it was high. But the third time was the charm on my right arm and it was normal. Combine possible high blood pressure with protein in my urine and with swelling and I have been put on watch for Preeclampsia. This week I see my OB on Wednesday to hopefully rule that out.
Preeclampsia is a condition that can affect the mom and the baby and is pretty serious. The warning signs seem to be:
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Hypertension
Proteinuria
Edema (Swelling)
Sudden Weight Gain
Nausea or Vomiting
Abdominal (stomach area) and/or Shoulder Pain
Lower back pain
Headache
Changes in Vision
Hyperreflexia
Typically it onsets around 20 weeks. So I’m pretty late in the game for these symptoms. What I’m experiencing is also pretty normal, so basically I’m on watch for anything that is abnormal or feels “weird”. The official preeclampsia site has a ton of information and research to assist if you would like more specific information.
In the meantime I’ve been advised to take it easy. Lie on my left side for 20 minutes a day to see if that helps with the swelling. We’ll see on Wednesday what the update is. Ah pregnancy is so much fun! ^_^
Monday, January 7th, 2013, 2:09 pm | 
And Baby Makes Three | 
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January 7, 2013 at 2:25 pm
I love the title of this post!!!! LOL!
Jasmine Forte recently posted..Eat, Drink and Be Narnian!
January 7, 2013 at 10:11 pm
Sadly, I can relate. With all three of my boys I swelled up like a jellyfish only I had oversized hands and feet instead of tentacles. My blood pressure also was dangerously high but that didn’t happen until towards the end of my 2nd pregnancy. Hope your’s will level off soon!
Catalina recently posted..I’m Not A Wimp
January 7, 2013 at 10:38 pm
Oh, my! Take it easy.
I had hobbit feet, too. Okay, I had hobbit body because I ate so many pastries.
Yvonne Condes recently posted..The MakeBetter Challenge; 4 Months In
January 8, 2013 at 12:22 am
What’s nice about Hobbit feet is that you can walk on hot coals with them and not feel a thing!
Shannon Bradley-Colleary recently posted..I May Have to Gag My Husband
January 8, 2013 at 1:17 am
It may be hard to believe, but pregnancy does end! Hang in there.