post partum swelling

[carpediemforlife]

anyone have post partum swellling? Ive got "cankles" now......and didnt pregnant!

[jennyb473]

I always swell more after coming home from the hospital with my LO than while pregnant.  I'm 2 for 2 - both times much worse after I came home, lasts about a week to week and a half then goes away.  

[Helen72]

I had really bad swelling after delivery, barely lost any weight.  It went way on its own in about a week.  They told me it's normal unless one side of your body is swollen more than the other.

[Ecologic]

I had a C-section with epidural and was very swollen afterward. I had lost only 2 lbs!! I did nothing special except drink a lot of water and it took about a week to be back to normal.

[adgal]

I don't think so..mind you I had a c-section and was so focused on the aftermath of that that I probably could have grown a 3rd leg and wouldn't have noticed..lol.  Maybe give your Dr. a call...it's probably nothing, but always better to err on the side of caution!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

If you aren't breastfeeding you can ask your doctor about taking a diuretic.

[KarenDiane]

Yes! I was in labor for almost 24 hours and they gave me a total of 5 bags of saline to keep me hydrated. I was so swollen that it hurt. I didn't have any swelling while pregnant. It took over a week to get rid of the fluid. Drink lots of water and try to get up and move around as much as possible. When you finally flush out the fluid, you'll lose a few more pounds too :)

[Kathy421]

There are some warning signs that you should be aware of:

1.  Women can get pre-eclampsia after delivering - you may need to see your provider to check your blood pressure as well as protein in your urine.

2.  Are you having any shortness of breath?  When you lay down at night, can you lie flat, or do you wake up short of breath?  Do you get really short winded when you walk?  If yes to the above, you need to see your provider.

Otherwise I do agree with the above comments - make sure you drink plenty of fluids, elevate your legs when you are at rest.  You may need to wear some compression stockings.

[NicMom]

Oh losingmymindinga is right drinking lots of water does help.

[NicMom]

Oh my gosh I had it sooo bad. The nurse told me that they pump you full of fluids at delivery and that with the hormonal shifts causes big time swelling. Don't worry your ankles will reappear in about a week!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I've never had issues with becoming swollen after giving birth I always just had residual swelling from the pregnancy.  It could be due to the hormonal changes. If it doesn't go away in a week or two, call you doc. Drink lots of water, that should help as well.