A lot of swelling in feet and legs

[April2]

My daughter will be 37 weeks in about 2 days. This last week or two she's had some pretty bad swelling in her feet and legs. They don't seem concerned about this at the hospital and she had her last ob a little over a week ago so she won't go again for about a week and a half again. She seems to have gotten worse this last week and I've started to get a little concerned. I remind her to put her feet and legs up when she can and drink lots of water.
She said at her last ob they noticed her feet and even laughed about how swollen they looked so again, didn't seem too concerned. She did say they noticed her blood pressure was up "a little bit" but waited and took it again and it went down a little. Looking back at her chart they didn't post the first reading, just the second and it was 137/83 then. She also had gained quite a bit this month since her last ob appointment, about 14 pounds, the most she's gained in any other month.
All of these things are a bit concerning to me because I don't want to see her get pre-eclampsia so that's why I'm suprised they haven't checked her urine in a long time. To tell the truth, I'm not sure I've been real impressed with this hospital but it's the one she has to use with this military insurance.
At what point is it just normal swelling and at what point does one get concerned? I want to see them do a urine test next time she goes in but that's 10 days away still.
What do you all think?

[April2]

I'm going to keep a close eye on her. It will help when she's finished with school this week and can put her feet up more, I think. Her appointment is next week.

I googled the shooting pain symptoms and it sounds like the baby has dropped and that's causing the sensations down low. I think she has dropped. I've heard the baby usually comes within a couple of weeks after dropping so this may just be another sign the baby is close!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

It's still best to go ahead and have her let her doctor know about all these new symptoms.  

[April2]

She also mentioned a sharp pain going down her abdomen and downwards when she was walking yesterday and today. Don't know for sure what that is.
I just have a feeling this baby may come early!

[Cassandrajane]

My sister in law had Preclampsyia but hers came randomly now its gone..... But she had it cause they were ready to Induce her about 7 wks early. But she's had NO swelling what so ever, but she HAS been very ill, and has to have blood put into her before she gives birth because she wont stop bleeding afterwards no about 2 hours (She has a condition i duno what its called).......

You should speak to the Hospital for a urine test, unles you take her to the GP and ask them to do one if you're worried still over the next 24hrs or so.
Better to be on the safe side really, even take her to A & E if needs be.


Good Luck, I Hope She's Okay. If she does have the Preclampsyia I think they might have to Monitor her and see how she does they might Induce her or if she's showing signs of getting better they will carry on monitoring her and then decide....
(im going by the information I have of my sister inlaw)

Hope this helps.

Good Luck.
x

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I agree...it's always better to be checked.  

It kind of makes me wonder about my third pregnancy.  I'll PM you about that tho.

[leighanne143]

losingmymind- i didnt have protein in the urine and the blood pressure was elavated but would go back to normal but they found my kidneys werent working.  Thats why i had A Typical preclampsyia.  thats the only reason i suggest the blood test because i know first hand you may not have allt he typical signs but you still can have it.  I feklt fine too, nothing abnormal, so i would have never known unless i didnt go in for a non stress test and have blood work done

[LosingMyMindInGA]

With my 3rd pregnancy I was so swollen in my lower half that I couldn't wear most of my pants or shoes.  I could gently lay my hand on my thigh for a second or two and when I removed it I had a perfect indent of my hand in my thigh.  

Unless she has elevated blood pressure (occasionaly elevation is not worrysome), protein in her urine, blurred vision, swelling in her face and hands, etc. it's most likely not pre-e.  

Her doctor should be doing a urine sample at every visit.  

The carpal tunnel symptoms you described are normal during pregnancy.  Many women either have worsened carpal tunnel symptoms or develop them for the first time during pregnancy.  

like leighanne said, you could request the blood tests becuase it COULD be something, but on the other hand it could all be completely normal.  It wouldn't hurt to have her call her doc and ask about it, atleast for peace of mind.

[leighanne143]

wow she has all the things i had with my son.

they should take her blood and check her kidney funtioning.  i didnt have any proteins in my urine but I was swelling like crazy and my BP was up a little but would go back down.  It was when they check my kidney functionong they realized that i did have preclampsyia and i had a c-section at 38 weeks to deleiver him.

but the numbing in the hands is normal too.  its pregnancy carpel tunnel syndrome, with all the swelling, its putting pressure on the nerves in the hands which causes paina nd numbness.  its an awful feeling and nothing can be done to stop it except for having the baby,

good luck.  i would strngly suggest she push for a kidney funtioning blood test to see if she has A typical preclampsyia like i did.  which means not all the normal regular symptoms aris.

[April2]

Another question: She's been having some pain in her right hand and wrist and sometimes numbness or falling asleep in her fingers. That almost sounds like Carpel Tunnel to me, though, so not sure it's related to the rest of this stuff.

I do think the need to check her urine next time she goes in. Like I said, I haven't been real thrilled from all I've seen at this clinic/hospital.

[nickieb85]

I had a ton of swelling in my first pregnancy (no ankles and I couldn't wear tennis shoes only flip flops) and it was terribly painful. I don't remember if I had a problem with my blood pressure or not (it was 8 years ago) but I know that there was nothing in my urine because I had frequent UTIs and had to be checked every time I went to the doctor. They told me to put my feet up and drink lots of water but it never seemed to help. I think that if she is having all of these problems (especially with the little bit higher blood pressure) she should definitely go to the hospital to have it checked and don't let her take no for an answer because it is definitely better to be safe than sorry and pre-eclampsia can come on very quickly and can be very dangerous. I also use a military doctor and they do seem to be very unconcerned with certain things but it does seem like it could be something serious. I hope she gets the answers she is looking for and has a safe and healthy delivery.