Can you have swelling without hypertension/preeclampsia?

Hi all:  Of course I've been reading lots of literature these days, like I'm sure all of you are doing who are pg.  Anyway, over the past few weeks I've been experiencing swelling in my feet/ankles/lower leg and in my hands (I had to take my wedding rings off this morning, sigh).  It's not daily, but it is often.  And, of course, my OB's practice's website says that can be a sign of hypertension and/or preeclampsia.  What's worse is that another symptom is upper abdomnimal pain, which is what I have daily starting at around 3-4pm (more aches than pain).  I just thought it was growing and stretching pains, and I thought swelling was pretty normal for someone at 30w4d, but of course, now I think I have hypertension and/or preeclampsia.  Gosh, even at my last appt 4 wks ago, my OB said swelling was pretty normal (I didn't have the upper abdominal aches, though).  Ugh.  Any ideas, thoughts, advice to chill me out?  I have an OB appt this afternoon, so I will certainly talk to her about it, but I really would like your input.  Thank you!!

[rae5040]

You can have swelling with out having hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Still, if you are worried, make a call to your doctor. They can usually put your mind at ease by just testing you really fast.

[mom2be623]

I am 31 weeks and I too have the swelling and pains in the top of my stomach. I asked my doctor about it last week and he said it was nothing to worry about as long as my blood pressure didnt go up. They also checked my urine for protein and there was none. That is a sign of preclampsia as well. If your concerned, I would call your doctor. I decided a couple months back not to read anymore pregnancy books. The more I read, the more I started feeling the symptoms of everything that could go wrong. I feel that if theres something I need to know about then my doctor will warn me.

[flyingsnow]

I had severe swelling problem at 36 weeks especially in the morning. My hands were so swollen that I could not even make a fist, and my whole legs were swelling too not just feet and ankles, they even changed color to purple, looked horrible! At that time, my blood pressure went up as well to 146/76, and I gained 3~4 lbs in one week. (I have been gaining 1/2 lb a week consistently). I was really worried. but my Dr. was not concerned. At 37 weeks, my blood pressure did not go up any more, so it was not too bad. now I am 38 weeks. It looks like my swelling is not as severe as when I was 36 weeks. So don't worry. swelling does not necessarily mean hypertension/preeclampsia. But do keep an eye on your blood pressure and urine test.
Good luck!

[specialteacher]

It is normal to have swelling without preeclampsia.  I have started sleeping without my wedding ring because my hands are started to swell everyday.  Other things to consider...How has your blood pressure been? Have you had any changes in vision?  My mother had preeclampsia with me and said that sometimes she saw flashes of lights or spots.  This happened about a month before her bp skyrocketed.  I believe she said her highest bp was 190/80 before she had to have an emergency C-Section.  If your bp is good and your doctor finds no protein in your urine samples, I am sure swelling is just a bothersome side effect.  Good luck to you!  Hope you get some good news soon!

[brentlie]

I am having severe swelling problems too, what do they consider BP that is too high?  Mine normally runs pretty low like 105/60 today I checked it at the drug store and it was 124/66 which I know is not high, but it is higher than normal and it is up from last time I checked it.

[specialteacher]

I wish I had my book here at school.  It tells what they consider abnormal.  I think it is 30 points about your normal bp.  I will check as soon as I get home since 30 points may not be right.  The book I've been reading is Your Pregnancy Week By Week by Dr. Glade Curtis.

[Hulahut]

Thank you all for your reassuring comments.  I leave in 15 minutes to go to the OB, so I'll find out about bp and urine and what other signs to look for.  I always ask what is normal bp, and they don't like to tell me, because normal is different for everyone (at least that's what the nurse says).  She said if she told me, it could scare me or someone else, because what may be normal for me may not be normal for someone else.  They MUST have a range, though.  I'll try and find everything out today and will post tomorrow, if you all are interested.  Thank you so much again and be well all!

[brentlie]

Thanks, let me know what your book says.  I know my BP is not considerd high, but it is higher than my normal and with all of this swelling it bothers me!

[taysmommy]

i swelled up like a balloon in my 37th week with dd, i had to get different shoes and everything because i couldnt fit my fat foot in my sandle, have you seen the nuttly professor? my hands and feet looked like his, haha i didnt have pre-eclampsia or any problems, just the joy of looking like a big fat monster, i look at my pictures right after i had dd and i barely recognize myself, i hope that doesnt happin this time lol

[twiceadopt]

one easy thing to try: cut sodium out of your diet altogether (which means skipping most prepared foods) and double your water intake.

[specialteacher]

Okay, here is what the book says.  "The systolic pressure (the topnumber) increases to higher than 140ml of mercury or a rise of 30ml of mercury over your beginning blood pressure.  A diastolic reading (the bottom number) of over 90 or a rise of 15 ml of mercury also indicates a problem.  An example is a woman whose blood pressure at the beginning of pregnancy is 100/60.  Later in pregnancy it is 130/90.  This indicates she may be developing high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia."  page 323

I hope that clears things up a little!