What can I do about Edema in Pregnancy?

I am 8 months pregnant and my feet, legs, and hands have pitting edema. My doc told me yesterday to not eat anything with sodium, drink skim milk, and pretty much stay off of my feet. What kinds of foods have little or no sodium? I have looked it up on several sites but all the answers still have like 100+ mg of sodium! Doc says thats still too much. I need help! Also, what can i do to relieve the tingling and pressure from the swelling?

There had been no oedema in your earlier pregnancies or is this your first pregnancy? Well if this your first pregnancy, which it seems to be from your worries, continue following the advice of your doctor. If your blood pressure is within the normal range, your heart is sound, and there is no excessive proteins getting past your kidneys and into the urine, you do not have to be that afraid. You cannot altogether do away with sodium, but just remember not to add extra pinch of salt in your diet. Rest is justified but whenever you lie if you can keep turning to one side or the other every half an hour, you will be much relieved of the tingling and the pressure that you feel.

what you have to do is elevate your feet above the level of heart as much as you can while in bed or sitting on a chair, that helps a lot. Limit your salt intake, but not the water. good luck with the new baby!

Here are a few tips:
鈥?Put your feet up whenever possible. At work, it helps to keep a stool or pile of books under your desk; at home, lie on your left side when possible. Don't cross your legs or ankles while sitting.

鈥?Stretch your legs frequently while sitting: Stretch your leg out, heel first, and gently flex your foot to stretch your calf muscles. Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes.

鈥?Take breaks from sitting or standing. Take a short walk every so often to keep your blood circulating.

鈥?Wear comfortable shoes that stretch to accommodate the swelling. Don't wear socks or stockings with tight bands around your ankles or calves.

鈥?Try waist-high maternity support stockings. Put them on before you get out of bed in the morning, so blood has no chance to pool around your ankles.

鈥?Drink plenty of water. Surprisingly, this helps your body retain less water.

鈥?Exercise regularly, especially by walking, swimming, or riding an exercise bike. Or try a water-aerobics class 鈥?immersion in water can help reduce swelling, particularly if the water level is up near your shoulders.

鈥?Eat well, and avoid junk food.

And try not to let it get you down. Although the sight of your swollen ankles will probably add to your feelings of ungainliness, edema is a temporary condition that will pass soon after you give birth.

First of all elevate your feet when possible. Remember when it is hot you automatically swell. Apply cool pads to your feet.
Eat fruit and vegatables. You only have 1 month left.

The best advice regarding the sodium intake is to just don't eat salty foods. Somewhat sensical. For example, foods to avoid are fast foods (especially fries), chips (or any bagged snacks), cured meat, bacon, etc.

Fruits are definitely good, since they contain very little sodium. However, you also have to watch your sugar intake.

To help ease edema to your ankles, just elevate them, and try not to stay on your feet for extended periods of time, and not too often.

Congratulations to you, and good luck with your delivery!

drink lots and lots of water only and elevate your feet above your heart...(if you are lying on the couch scoot down far enough to rest you feet on the arm.....always keep your feet elevated....water and elevation help flush all the extra edema fluid toxins out of your kidneys and keeps you from developing high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia which can be deadly....i went through the same thing i swelled up like the marshmallow man...i went from 110 to 182 pounds..

Dear, this is mainly due to hypertesion of pregnancy or what is called Preeclampsia.Be worry from intaking food salts and consult your doctor about your blood pressure measurement , and if you could,tell me please

u have to measure ur blood pressure and test for the presence of protiens in urine for fear of preeclampsia