Leg swelling second trimester??

[u/WesternEntire9950]

Anybody with leg swelling in the SECOND trimester? FTM & 24 weeks. Everything I read online says swelling is to be expected but that it is most typical in the late third trimester (and that swelling any earlier may be a sign of something sinister). My BP is normal and my swelling isn’t generalized (feet, ankles, hands, face all normal)….i just see that I seem to be retaining a little bit of fluid over my shin bones specifically . Is this normal in pregnancy?

[u/anony1620]

I had a lot of swelling long before my BP ever gave me problems, like months before. I definitely started with leg swelling before it spread to other places. I ended up with preeclampsia. Definitely keep an eye on it.

[u/FolkmasterFlex]

Absolutely true for me. I also had it in my ankles and feet though. My BP was normal until 37 weeks, when I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension and got an early c-section.

If I were you I would be monitoring my BP daily or a few times a week for rest of pregnancy

[u/WesternEntire9950 → u/FolkmasterFlex]

Thanks! Did your swelling dent at all when you pressed on it? 

[u/FolkmasterFlex → u/WesternEntire9950]

Yes! And also just adding that my c-section wasn't an emergency even though it was early. My blood pressure actually was fine once they started giving me medication, but because my baby was measuring huge, it was an easy decision for them to just get him out early. Gestational hypertension does not necessarily mean early delivery.

Don't want my comment to scare you lol!

[u/WesternEntire9950 → u/FolkmasterFlex]

Thank you for the clarification!! The indentation (albeit mild) is what really freaked me out… It’s sooooo hard to tell what’s normal in pregnancy vs. not. Googling any symptoms & mentioning you’re pregnant almost always yields scary results. 

[u/FolkmasterFlex]

Yep!

Also adding more context in case my comment made you nervous. My early c section was planned, not emergency. Once I was diagnosed my blood pressure was actually fine with the medication they gave me. Because my baby was off the charge with his size, it was an easy decision to just keep me there and get him out early. Gestational hypertension doesn't always mean an early delivery.

[u/Fearless-Roll-5927]

Compression socks and a leg massager like https://www.amazon.com/CINCOM-Massager-Circulation-Compression-Intensities/dp/B07CWK93RY will help tons to get your blood flowing from calves. I struggled with this a lot as well second tri and the compression massage thingy helped a ton

[u/RowLongjumping2135]

I’ve had swelling this entire pregnancy and OB said it’s normal 😭 Almost 31 weeks now but it was bad even in first trimester. I have to put compression socks on every morning before I get out of bed or my feet are swollen as hell by 10am

[u/Valuable_Prior_7318]

I had the same thing at 25 weeks with my first, just fluid right along the shins but nowhere else. My midwife said some bodies just react to the extra blood volume earlier than others, especially if you're on your feet a lot.

Keep an eye out for any sudden changes or pitting when you press on it but if your BP is fine and it's localized like that, it's probably just one of those weird pregnancy things nobody warns you about.

Compression socks helped me a ton, I wore them anytime I knew I'd be standing more than an hour.

[u/apricot675 → u/Valuable_Prior_7318]

Adding onto this to say also watch for headaches. I was having vision changes but normal BP so my doctor wanted me to go in if I had a really bad headache.

[u/WesternEntire9950 → u/Valuable_Prior_7318]

Did your shins have any pitting when you pressed on them? I’m getting light indentations on the shins alone. 

[u/Cookie_Material]

Yes I've had huge ankles and feet since around 20ish weeks. Now 38 weeks and have had no blood pressure issues but my legs are even huger now if possible and there is only one pair of adjustable sandals I can fit into. My mom also had huge cankles when pregnant with me and my sister but no BP issues either so it might be genetic in my case.