https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:27:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2468470 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 07:07:50 +0000 Shantuck 2468470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I signed up for a prenatal swim class and after I'd leave the pool I'd miraculously shrink down to my prior size. I tried Epsom baths, sleeping with my feet propped on pillows, etc. and an hour in the pool was the only thing that helped. I'd swell back up the next day but the temporary relief was so worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2468386 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 23:22:55 +0000 sarac 2468386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Magnesium. It saved my life my last pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2468141 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 16:25:10 +0000 Mrs.Waffles 2468141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was told by a PA at my doctors office to watch my sugar and sodium intake and to add a little lemon juice in my water to help prevent swelling. I don't know if it works as I was lucky and didn't have very bad swelling during my pregnancy. Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2468012 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:56:22 +0000 sslm 2468012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eko: LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2468011 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:55:01 +0000 Eko 2468011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: I hope you find something that helps! The end of pregnancy definitely sucks. I would elevate my feet and ice them at night. And pretend that crying helped drain the excess fluid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2468000 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:42:15 +0000 MrsSRS 2468000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>More protein, more water, and try walking or.doing some slow laps in a pool if you have access to one. And yes, legs have to go higher than you think to be elevated!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467957 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:13:59 +0000 Littlebit7 2467957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>and when a doc says to elevate your legs, it means to actually get your feet above your heart. Thats the most effective way (sit down and try this. It helps to really gauge what that means, simply sitting on the sofa or chair with your legs on a footrest won't cut it. its better than nothing but you really need gravity on your side on this one)<br /> compression stockings: ted hose are great and you can get them at a medical supply store. they are cheap. travel sox are another brand but they are more $$$ (you can get them from amazon) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467952 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:10:26 +0000 Happygal 2467952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Misery. I was in your shoes. Well, clogs....shoes did not fit. Legs on the wall offered some relief, as did soaking. But I mainly just suffered through it. I bought compression socks, but they cut into my swollen legs. My OB said I would need something that would go up over my belly to get any help with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467946 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:06:40 +0000 MrsBrewer 2467946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was super swollen with my LO also, and the only thing that helped me were compression socks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467944 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:04:23 +0000 pwnstar 2467944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: I had awful swelling with my first (pitted edema in my lower legs). Most days, it was already bad by 10:30 in the morning. I am so sorry you are dealing with this! I am hoping it won't be as bad this pregnancy (I'm 14 weeks), but, only time will tell! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467857 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:36:37 +0000 Mrs. Pickles 2467857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: working from home saved me so definitely look into it!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467830 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:12:35 +0000 sslm 2467830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eko: seriously! I do want to cry. It's so bad everywhere, even in my legs. Crossing my legs feels uncomfortable. It's awful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467828 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:12:02 +0000 sslm 2467828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I do have the ability to work from home, so maybe I will talk to my manager about that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467826 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:06:43 +0000 Eko 2467826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have heard all the above things help, but. They didn't work for me...crying just made me feel better haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467818 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:03:35 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2467818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: sometimes I don't feel like taking a full bath and will just do a foot and calf soak. OMG the relief! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467817 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:02:53 +0000 Smurfette 2467817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor had me work from home a couple days a week and it really helped. Sitting on the couch with my feet on the coffee table. Could you do that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467813 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:00:27 +0000 Alivoo01 2467813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've heard lots of water and elevating/resting your legs helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467712 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:15:16 +0000 psw27 2467712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Compression sleeves! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467702 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:10:57 +0000 MamaBear87 2467702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If my feet were swollen elevating them helped. The downside was the swelling had to go somewhere and usually then settled in my lady parts. My ob said that could happen and it was way true for me. I usually drank extra water and tried ice and cool baths for my feet. </p> <p>It does basically just suck tho. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467699 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:10:00 +0000 pwnstar 2467699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: Swelling can also be caused by inadequate protein. You could try to monitor your protein intake for a few days, and if it is consistently less than 80 grams, adjust from there (to get between 80-120 grams). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467657 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 10:53:34 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2467657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Elevating helped a little. I didn't find exercise to have any affect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467424 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 08:51:27 +0000 sslm 2467424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I hadn't heard of epsom salts... time for a nice bath I guess! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467423 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 08:51:07 +0000 sslm 2467423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: The working out thing I definitely need to work on... haha. Thanks for the reminder :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467397 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 08:31:23 +0000 pwnstar 2467397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Water, working out, and elevating your legs/feet whenever possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467392 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 08:29:37 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2467392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Compression type clothing like panty hose helps. Elevating your legs when you sit. Epsom salt baths. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467389 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 08:26:59 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2467389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ive heard that drinking lots and lots of water can help. It helps flush some of the sodium that can impact swelling. Just make sure you are still eating enough (potassium and such). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-reducing-swelling#post-2467386 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 08:26:05 +0000 sslm 2467386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm blowing up like a balloon and I am not quite 30 weeks! Still a long way to go. I also swelled up with DD so it's not a surprise. My blood pressure has typically been perfect, so it's not really a major health concern or anything...</p> <p>I know the answer is probably nothing, since that's what my midwife tells me... but I am willing to try anything, no matter how silly!!!</p> <p>How can I reduce the insane swelling??? Help! </p>