Ankles, feet and fingers often swell a little in pregnancy because your body is holding more water than usual. Towards the end of the day, especially if the weather is hot or if you have been standing a lot, the extra water tends to gather in the lowest parts of the body. The gradual swelling isn’t harmful to you or your baby, but it can be uncomfortable and your shoes can feel tight.
Avoiding and easing swollen ankles
There are some steps you can take to prevent swollen feet and ankles. These can also help to ease the discomfort if your feel and ankles are feelings swollen already. Try to:
- avoid standing for long periods
- wear comfortable shoes – avoid tight straps or anything that might pinch if your feet swell
- put your feet up as much as you can: try to rest for an hour a day with your feet higher than your heart, for example propped up with cushions as you lie on the sofa
- do the foot exercises below – these will help
Foot exercises
You can do foot exercises sitting or standing. They improve blood circulation, reduce swelling in the ankles and prevent cramp in the calf muscle:
- bend and stretch your foot vigorously up and down 30 times
- rotate your foot in a circle eight times one way and eight times the other way
- repeat with the other foot
Get more tips on exercising in pregnancy.
When swelling is serious
You should seek medical attention immediately if your face, feet or hands swell up suddenly. A pregnancy condition called pre-eclampsia can cause sudden swelling like this. If it happens to you, contact your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately. If you do have pre-eclampsia, you’ll need to be monitored carefully, as the condition can be serious for both you and your baby.
Other signs of pre-eclampsia can include:
- severe headache
- problems with vision, such as blurring or flashing before the eyes
- severe pain just below the ribs
- vomiting
Risk factors for pre-eclampsia include:
- being aged 40 or older
- not having had children (nulliparity)
- a 10 year gap since your last pregnancy
- a family history of pre-eclampsia
- having had pre-eclampsia before
- a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
- pre-existing vascular disease, such as high blood pressure
- kidney disease
- a multiple pregnancy (having more than one baby)
You can find out more about the treatment for pre-eclampsia.
The RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) has information on what you need to know about pre-eclampsia.
See more common pregnancy problems.